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

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

Henry Rollins @ The State Room 09.16

Rollins’ two-and-half-hour speech about whatever willed from his mouth—politics, reunion shows, being drug-free, iPod playlists, the smell of cow piss and more—was pretty bitchin’. With a sold-out crowd, Uncle Rollins proceeded to put the audience on his lap and tell them what the world is really like. No stone was left unturned, no ass cheek awake. For those of you who skipped this show, I shame you. … read more