Authors: Blake Leszczynski
Winter Battle of the Bands @ Velour Live Music Gallery...
“It’s over,” I’m furiously scribbling down high marks on the scoring sheet provided by Velour, speaking to no one in particular. “It’s fucking over!” The sold out crowd has become unhinged, saying, “One More Song! One More Song!” The electricity is palpable. After the fourth band of five, Velour’s semi-annual competition is over. I just feel bad for whoever has to go after this … I’m getting ahead of myself. The Battle started at 8:15 p.m. … … read more
Jupiter Suit: Playing for Change
Zach Marquez, 18 years old, is just the right mix of confident and cautious, ambitious and humble. He doesn’t want to be famous for the reasons you think. You see, last November, while I was watching these beautiful women from around the world compete in a fucking swimsuit competition, Marquez was thinking of any way he could possibly help the devastated people of the Philippines. Marquez is not most of America. … read more
Jupiter Suit @ Velour 2.19 with Radio Motion, Soul Connection,...
“Our mission, when we perform, is to take down the barrier between band and audience,” Marquez said. “Sing-alongs, stomping feet, clapping hands … that’s where the magic happens.” Watching Marquez and his band is a bit of magic. Are they the tightest group in the world? No, but they are still kids, very talented kids albeit, and the polish will come. The barrier between them and their adoring fans was broken almost from the get-go. … read more
Lake Island @ Muse Music Cafe 03.01 with Coral Bones,...
It was a damp, mild Saturday night—nice enough not to have to wear a coat, dry enough not to really notice. I was heading to Muse, the other music venue on University Avenue, to check out Coral Bones—whose album, Youthemism was my favorite local release of last year. … read more
Book on Tape Worm @ Velour 03.07 with Flannel Graph
Friday night’s Book on Tape Worm show at Velour, an occasion to mark the group’s reissue of their sold out 2012 album, All the World’s a Stage, spotlighted one of Provo’s very best in this area: the band’s frontman, Scott Shepard. Surrounded by a hundred or so friends, family and fans, with a more intimate set up for the venue, and backed by the hauntingly beautiful music coming from his band, Shepard was in his element and it showed. … read more
We Are The Strike @ Velour 03.22 with Scott &...
It was as packed as maybe I have ever seen inside. Velour actually had to keep a few people out because the show was completely sold out and the venue at capacity. Only minutes into We Are The Strike’s performance, it was easy to see why. … read more
The Sounds @ In The Venue 03.29 with Blondfire, Strange...
There are a lot of “rock” bands around these days but, to be honest, rock and roll bands—groups that live, eat, drink and breathe the very meaning of rock and roll—they are an endangered species. Enter stage right, all the way from Sweden, The Sounds and their brash, loud, rowdy lead singer Maja Ivarsson. Clad in a short black cocktail dress, with a cigarette in her mouth and a pint in her hand, Ivarsson was an absolute wrecking ball from the moment she stepped on stage. … read more
Anthony Jeselnik: Comedy’s Heel
“People who get offended by jokes … are fucking stupid,” says Anthony Jeselnik about five minutes into his comedy album, Shakespeare, as what basically seems to be his mantra. … read more
Katie Herzig @ Urban Lounge 04.15 with Mideau, Mindy Gledhill
Mideau is on the rise. Fresh off South by Southwest, with an EP just released, a full length on its heels and armed with a thoughtful brand of indie pop, the duo is looking to follow the recent trend of commercially successful acts coming out of the Beehive State. … read more
The Blue Aces @ Velour 04.18 with June Cat, Ocean...
Finally, it was time for the show’s centerpiece. Let’s get something straight, right off the bat. The Blue Aces are what rock and roll is about. No joke. They are, to borrow a term from the streets, “Da Truth!” After a few minutes of set up, the lights went down and drummer, Alisa Ramirez, started into the opening beats of “Heartbreaker” as the crowd went crazy. … read more
On the Rooftop and Rising: C Jane Kendrick talks Provo...
Now in it’s fifth year, the Rooftop Concert Series, which kicks off this year on Friday, May 2, is shaping up to maybe be the best yet. “This year has been so exhilarating because we have great sponsors—Google Fiber and Provo City and wonderful partnerships with Downtown Provo Inc. and Provo Town Square,” Kendrick says. … read more
Smodcast Invades Death Ray Comics
Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes will be appearing Sunday, along with Will Wilkins, at Logan’s Death Ray Comics to help owner Trent Hunsaker, and a store full of fans, celebrate the store’s one year anniversary. Yes, you read that right – Jay and Silent Bob will be in Logan. … read more
