Authors: Justin Gallegos
RAC with Alastair, Typefunk @ Urban Lounge 05.08
The last four weeks had given me the opportunity to see the best and worst of DJing. I saw C2C perform at the Depot about a month ago, who are true turntabilists and know how to entertain their fans. I also saw Faulty Dl, a New York–based DJ/producer, open for James Blake, and he gave a poor performance, displaying how little DJs can do live, onstage. So, I was excited to see Andre Anjos and Karl Kling of RAC live, mixing some of the most feel-good dance music out there. You have The Hood Internet and Girl Talk, who do superb remixes and mashups, but I don’t believe anyone does as clean of a job remixing songs as RAC. … read more
Cayucas with JBM @Kilby Court 06.21
It’s a desirable thing to go to a show with no worries. Why did I have no worries for this show? Cayucas just barely released an eight-track LP that’s drenched with summer vibes via catchy bass riffs and laid-back tales about beach life. All I knew about the opener, JBM, was that he was a multi-instrumentalist out of Montreal who makes folk music. This was destined to be an easy night, and the music I heard was authentic enough to take me where the artists were mentally when they wrote the music. Those places were anywhere but the city. … read more
Burgerama: An Interview With Burger Records’ Sean Bohrman
Bohrman is a self-proclaimed “music nerd” and “weirdo.” Those three words in quotes could be put together to describe the Burger family. They’re a bunch of music nerd weirdos who love what they do and not much else. Burger Records is essentially a distributing company that specializes in cassette tapes, which started in 2007. “It’s taken off in a way that none of us really expected,” says Bohrman. … read more
Inside the Cult of Cut Copy
SLUG had the chance to chat with Cut Copy’s bassist Ben Browning about their upcoming world tour, in which Salt Lake City will be their second stop, and how they landed True Blood star Alexander Skarsgård to lead in their new music video. “We’re really interested in cults, hippie culture and rave culture of the ’80s and early ’90s,” says Browning. “The idea of a cult that listens to Cut Copy music had been an idea for a video of ours for a while.” … read more
RJD2 @ The Depot 11.15 with Blockhead
RJD2 takes the stage. He has three turntables, a sample pad and a crate full of vinyl. Yes, the original, non-digital vinyl. RJ humbly introduces himself and begins his set with electronic sounds behind a Gang Starr verse. It’s the most OG way to start a party—I look at the balcony on the second floor covered with ladies moving and guys bobbing their heads and waving their arms in the air. The Depot is at its full potential and the audience is just as live as any rap concert as I’ve ever been to. … read more
Uncovering Sincere Psychedelic Rock n’ Roll
“It’s two parts of life that I’ve come to associate with over time,” says Asbury. “My dad passed away about five years ago, and we found a book of poetry that he had put together. The last poem that he put in that book is called Axxa … The second part comes from Hermann Hesse, my favorite author. In his book, Demian, they talk about Abraxas, which is supposed to be some gnostic god, both good and evil.” … read more
Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: An Interview with Stones Throw...
Last year, director Jeff Broadway released a documentary called Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton: This is Stones Throw. Having received a lot of positive feedback at festivals, the film is going on a North American tour this year, stopping at SXSW. … read more
San Fermin, Son Lux, L’Anarchiste @ Kilby Court 02.26
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding this show. That notion was clear when I arrived to a line of 50 or more people outside of Kilby Court waiting for the doors to open. As I waited in line, I looked a little closer at the venue that was on a “50 Best Concert Venues in America” list, last year. … read more
St. Vincent @ The Depot 03.28 with Noveller
I remember seeing her frail body bouncing on the floor in front of green flashing lights. Being shocked again, I asked myself, “Who’s brave enough to close their set with a cover of the rowdiest punk song?” St. Vincent was—she does what she wants. … read more
Donovan Blanc: Taking the Tongue-In-Cheek out of Pop Music
“We wanted to be as sincere as we possibly could. Everything seems to be a nod to something, or a joke, in music these days. Everything has to be a thing from some kind of era. Writers are always comparing this band or singer to that guy. That sort of culture has robbed new music of any genuine identity.” … read more
tUnE-yArDs @ Urban Lounge 05.27 with Sylvan Esso
Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs can do it all. She loops vocal harmonies and noises on the spot, drums and plays an electric ukulele. The latter instrument is unique, but it’s nothing compared to her strongest instrument—her voice. … read more
Guantanamo Baywatch @ Kilby Court 07.16 with Breakers, Chalk
The moment their set began, it was as if a tsunami washed over Kilby Court. Their drumming pounded against the walls—hitting home the idea that waves of twangy, guitar riffs were just around the corner. … read more
