Issues: Exclusive
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
Sleeper Agent @ Kilby Court 04.19 with Holychild, Pagiins
All the passion that fuels everything onstage comes from everything offstage. Here I was amongst fast food workers, grocery store clerks and every other kind of nametag-wearing professional, feeling like a warm blanket of humanity was wrapped around my shoulders. Rock is insanity but it comes from the emotions of people. Sleeper Agent, Holychild and Pagiins didn’t need any flashing lights to bring people to Kilby Court that Saturday; just the steady thump of a driving beat and the type of howl that brings all the dark’s delightful creatures. … read more
Phantogram @ In The Venue 04.16 with TEEN
“FAAAACK!” I scream as I trip over the exact same invisible stair I tripped over when we arrived. I recuperate instantly and we escape outside. Walking down 600 West to our car, we discuss the last few hours and come to a couple agreements: Phantogram is awesome but a little over the top, and TEEN is, like, the coolest new band right now. … read more
Cunninlynguists @ Urban Lounge 04.17 with Dumb Luck, Nemo Achida,...
There’s nothing like arriving painfully early to the Urban Lounge on a Thursday. It’s dark, covered in the sticky residue of alcohol and/or sweat and sort of sad—like a teenage boy’s basement bedroom. I roosted in one of the decrepit booths and listened to an hour of sound check and A Tribe Called Quest being played at a shittily loud volume. Being a white girl from the suburbs, I take a certain pride in my love for Tribe. I felt like screaming to the three male strangers in the room, “THIS IS MY JAM, FUCKERS!” … read more
Circle Takes The Square @ Shred Shed 04.18 with Visitors,...
Nothing is better than the month of April—the weather is warm, the patio furniture is out and the bands roll in. Friday was no exception to this situation, as Circle Takes the Square stomped into Utah that evening. … read more
4th Annual High Times US Cannabis Cup in Denver, Colorado
Away from the enticements of “FREE DABS!” in the recreational smoking area and the allure of glowing marijuana buds, bathed under a vivid purple grow light in the indoor industry section, I found myself standing in the doorway of Forum 1 at the Denver Mart—a poorly lit reception hall. A small riser sat at the front—upon it a folding table with matching chairs—and in front of that there were several rows of chairs to accommodate the attendees of the seminars for High Times Cannabis Cup weekend. … read more
PAX East 2014 @ Boston Convention and Exhibition Center 04.11-04.13
I’ve been a big fan of Penny Arcade for years, but I didn’t fall in love with it until my first PAX in 2011. Penny Arcade creators Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins (Gabe and Tycho in the comics, respectively) created the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2004 to be a gaming convention for gamers, by gamers. It’s grown from 3,300 attendees to well over 60,0000. It’s a utopia for every type of gamer. … read more
CHVRCHES @ The Depot 04.22 with The Range
Glasgow-based synthpop trio Chvrches are a bombastic, bleedin’ indie-at-heart spectacle. Their hooks and heart soar song after song on their 2013 debut album, The Bones of What You Believe, and they’re not stopping short in any part of their global pop ascendancy. They passed through Salt Lake City on their U.S. tour to played a sold-out show at The Depot last Tuesday. … read more
Callow @ Bar Deluxe 04.19 with Ike Fonseca, Aaron Walcott,...
Bar Deluxe is the little big bar in Salt Lake—they don’t seem to get the same press as other clubs or the same caliber bands coming through, but it’s a great space–open and inviting–and has a great view of the stage from all sides. … read more
Natturday Neff Beach Bash @ Brighton Resort 04.19
As the snow starts to melt and the season winds down, Brighton Resort always ends up getting extra wild for its closing weekend. DJ Velvet was on the ones and twos, spinning a mix of todays hits along with a sick collection of ‘80s classics. The weather, despite ominous speculation by weathermen, ended up being perfect, with temperatures in the mid fifties and low sixties, and the snow stayed consistently slushy with maximum spray-ability. … read more