I’ve been a fan of Alabama Shakes for shy of a year and even though I love their album, I was expecting a canned performance, appealing to a broad audience, sticking only to their album and no jam seasons. I was wrong. The Alabama Shakes have one of the tightest rhythm sections I’ve seen in quite some time—without their quick stops and interplay, the vocals of Brittany Howard would not have a platform to launch from. … read more
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside @ Urban 03.09
When I first saw Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside perform in Portland, I was hooked, and I selfishly wanted them to become more popular, hoping that would mean tour dates that included Salt Lake on the route. This is the second time they’ve visited Salt Lake (that I know of, at least), and hopefully not the last! Sallie embodies the sounds of a wicked vintage diva, from throwing it back to surf rock influences, to using the upright bass (an element I especially dig), to belting sassy lyrics with crude themes. … read more
SXSW 2013: People of Letters @ 18th floor at Hilton Garden Inn 03.12
I was introduced to People Of Letters in passing and recommended by Angela Brown, editor of SLUG Magazine, who also attended the panel. The one and only member of the panel I would consider marring would be Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls, although I don’t think it would work out, since her husband Neil Gaiman was in the same room. … read more
SXSW 2013: California X @ Holy Mountain 03.13
I discovered California X through the SXSW schedule at a time when I needed to fill a hole during my day. It was one of those “watch/listen to one thirty minute segment and throw caution to the wind” situations, and I hoped California X was something I could get into. … read more
SXSW 2013: Baths @ Mohawk 03.13
Baths is many things, but his humor in between his non-transitions of DJ songs took the prize. One of the funniest things that came out of Will Wiesenfeld’s vocal box (his real one) was “All great DJs have transitions between songs. Well, I don’t, so they can all fuck it.” Words alone are not a good example of Baths’ humor, so I recommend you see the “band” in person. … read more
SXSW 2013: The Wolf @ Hotel Vegas/Volstead 03.13
It would be great to see The Wolf play with The Entrance Band, for the pure joy in showing The Wolf how an adult garage psych band really makes original music. … read more
SXSW 2013: Café Tacvba @ Stubb’s NPR Music Showcase 03.13
I made my way to the Stubb’s stage, which was in an outside-concert-style scheme. It was nighttime, and I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to make it through the line in time to see Café Tacvba, as the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s were booked to play next. I made it in with ease, though, and got up front with a packed crowd during their first song, which was a rock n’ roll–ranchera hybrid played to easygoing spiritedness from the front of the audience. … read more
SXSW 2013: Nü Sensae @ Holy Mountain Backward Enabler PR Showcase 03.13
I would marry Andrea Lukic. There was just something about her—the same thing I like about Chelsea Wolfe—which makes me think that she would have a nice conversation with me one day over tea, then strangle me in my sleep the next. I like that in a girl. … read more
SXSW 2013: Drunk History Panel @ The Next Stage 03.13
I’ve been watching Drunk History since I came across it on Funny or Die a few years ago, so when I saw that the creators were part of a panel to promote their upcoming series on Comedy Central, I immediately wanted to be there. … read more
SXSW 2013: Foxygen @ The Stages on Sixth 03.13
Foxygen played a great mix of energetic, offbeat tracks with soulful guitars that wouldn’t be out of place in the Rocky Horror Picture Show and made me want to move my feet . … read more
SXSW 2013: White Lung @ Holy Mountain Enabler PR Showcase
When White Lung played their first song with their sharp melodies and Mish Way’s nonchalant stage presence, the darkness and slight dinginess of the club complemented White Lung’s macabre sound well as a group of photographers at the front snapped and flashed their machines like the band members were stars on some sort of award show in a noir movie. … read more
The Soft Moon Interview
Raised under the blistering sun of California’s Mojave Desert, Luis Vasquez creates shape-like sounds under a design of minimal darkwave. Vasquez began The Soft Moon as a process of expelling memories of a rotten upbringing. After a decade of working as a graphic designer and playing in various punk inspired bands, snarling post-punk and industrial synthpop felt like the perfect mode of expression. … read more
