Connecticut foursome, Mercies, looked endearing when the tambourine began to ring, initiating the intro into their opening number. Ambient rhythm guitar blanketed rolling drums in an unsteady and beautiful crescendo that would cut off just when you needed it most for a split second, then continue and pull you swiftly back in like breakers at high tide. … read more
Desert Noises @ Velour with The Young Electric, Timmy TheTeeth 09.13
“You don’t seem impressed,” Jacob, my brother-in-law, said midway through Desert Noises’ set, “Do you not like them?” The thing is, I did. I was actually quite impressed with their skill and their songs—it was a much-better-than-average performance. The issue was not how good the band was, and they were quite good—the issue was who performed before them. “That’s not it at all, it’s just hard to have this,” I said, motioning toward the stage, “Follow that,” I point to the back of the room. … read more
Audio Circus @ Saltair with Krewella, Infected Mushroom, Nicky Romero and Mac Miller 09.08
Incredible light shows, crazy stilt performers and LED walls the size of the venue itself—it was a wondrous sight to behold. Did I mention the swagged-out fireworks display? Plus, with DJs like Pretty Lights, Nicky Romero, Andy C, Krewella, Infected Mushroom and countless others, how could Audio Circus simply not be phenomenal? … read more
Too Snowboard Film Premiere @ Brewvies 09.17
“Too” has a good mixture of both powder riding as well as street shredding, and the cast included some household names, as well as a few you may not have heard of before. … read more
4FRNT: Dang! Premiere @ Tower Theatre 09.19
Rising from the ashes of a low snow year, DANG! soars like a Phoenix. The second installment from 4FRNT Media, this film showcases the talents of a multitude of riders from around the globe. … read more
Dead Dad @ Tower Theatre 09.21
For such a heavy topic, this film really impressed me, not only by the great acting, but also by a smart script that keeps the story sincere and heartfelt, but also mixes in clever bits of humor throughout to take the edge off. … read more
Cartoon College @ Tower 09.21
Following a group of aspiring artists who make their way through the intense MFA program at The Center For Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont, filmmakers Josh Melrod and Tera Wray spent three years shooting the failure and success of these students in an interesting and emotional documentary. … read more
Off Label @ Tower Theatre 09.21
What made this film so unique were the characters whose stories were presented. From a homeless, volunteer test lab “guinea pig” to a young Iraq War veteran struggling with PTSD, each person has a very different relationship with prescription medication, able to articulate why they condemn or rely on the meds. … read more
Children of the Stars @ Tower Theatre 09.22
I don’t think this documentary was intended to be a comedy, but the members of the California cult, Unarius, are so fucking crazy, you can’t help but laugh at times. … read more
Intro @ Tower Theatre 09.22
It only seems right that for a man of few words, such as David Williams, a documentary of the local musician would feature the same. … read more
Better Than Something: Jay Reatard @ Brewvies 09.22
This film is a great documentary of Reatard’s life, showing his transformation from a wild 19-year-old punk, to a 29-year-old man coping with a relentless lifestyle of touring and recording. … read more
Duck Beach To Eternity @ Tower 09.22
Hitting close to home, the screening of Duck Beach To Eternity was definitely the most interesting of the films I saw at the festival over the weekend. The documentary follows four Mormon singles who travel to Duck Beach, North Carolina for the annual “Mormon Spring Break” … read more
