Music
A Wanderlust Invasion: Chatting with Zex’s Jo Capitalicide
If you thought punk was choking on its last breath, you would be very mistaken. At this very moment, there is an invasion blazing its way through the United States, and it’s centered around punk quartet Zex. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Zex has begun making radical waves in the punk community through the release of their debut album, Fight For Yourself. … read more
Indulging in Industrial with En Esch
With over three decades of music making, former KMFDM member En Esch has had an interesting, historical and prosperous career. SLUG Magazine had the chance to chat with him and hear some of the things that keep him inspired, and his intriguing, historical tales—the sort that would leave any industrial music fan yearning to hear more. … read more
Merchandise: Interview with Dave Vassalotti
Tampa, Florida’s Merchandise have spent the majority of their time together agitating all entrenched notions of punk, pop, noise and rock n’ roll. With albums Children of Desire and Totale Nite, the group developed a knack for writing sonically diverse, engrossing songs—songs on which Dave Vassalotti’s and Carson Cox’s songwriting dazzles like a Morrissey-fronted Jesus and Mary Chain covering The Replacements. … read more
A Brief Moment with William Control
The lyrical content of Control’s music provokes strong thought on sexual topics, some people find taboo in society. He finds the passion for his songs in the world around him. … read more
Matt & Kim – Code Name: Butta Milk Pancake
Matt & Kim weren’t always this big mass of awesomeness you see today dominating YouTube, airwaves and the cheeky hearts of their fans—they did, in fact, start out somewhere a bit lower on the totem pole. … read more
Vaadat Charigim – Hummus and Heidegger
On their 2013 debut, The World Is Well Lost, Israeli shoegazers Vaadat Charigim took listeners beyond the shroud of Levantine politics and shattered perceptions of their home with a universal-sounding and instantly classic shoegaze album. … read more
Castle’s Crucialfest 5 Conquest
Castle’s eerie aesthetic lures you into a blackened moor, your only comfort, a cloak pulled tightly around your body. The bravery in your heart gradually diminishes as the candlelight of your lantern fades into the night. The moon glides from behind a cloud revealing a looming castle in the distance.
Moving on Up: an Interview with Speedy Ortiz
As their name may suggest, Speedy Ortiz are cruising right along. They’re young, screamingly talented, touring the world, playing festivals like SXSW alongside their personal heroes, recording and releasing a new album—all while maintaining an effortless aura of unpretentious coolness.
The Wanderer’s Tradition: An Interview with Bombino
Omara Moctar, known internationally as the Nigerien psych-rock hero Bombino, is the local and living legend of a small tribe in the country of Niger. While on his international tour, Salt Lake will have the good fortune of seeing him at no charge at The Salt Lake County Building on May 15–17 for The 30th Annual Living Traditions Festival this summer. Recently, SLUG was able to interview Moctar about his music and his message.
Localized: Porch to Porch
Porch to Porch are an upbeat, folky bluegrass ensemble with fast-picking fingers and a wailing harmonica. They live by their motto, “For the love of music,” which harmonica player and designer Willus Branham penciled into their band logo five years ago. They’re a big, happy, whiskey-drinkin’ family who dedicates their Wild Western project to spreading good vibes, jamming and going right into the crowd. … read more
Localized: Six Feet in the Pine
This month’s Localized is going to be one hell of a musical showdown. Porch to Porch will heat up the stage with their wild riffs, foot-tapping harmonica and bending elbows. The night will end in a Western frenzy by Six Feet in the Pine, who aren’t your average church-goin’ folk, though they’re serious cowboys, strummers and pluckers. Stop by Urban Lounge May 15 at 10 p.m. for just $5.
De/Vision: Binary Stargazers of German Synth-pop
In the history of music written by radio DJs, synthpop met its demise soon after Kurt Cobain shoved his Fender down the throats of the masses. Certainly the most popular of acts like Depeche Mode still filled their arenas as Erasure and the Pet Shop Boys packed theaters. … read more
