Is Provo the next hotbed for noise music? The stark conservatism mixed with a large number of youth should make for a loud and subversive subculture. Where are the artists? Are they afraid to take off their headphones? Luckily for Provo, the folks at A. Star brought a little chaos down south to test the waters. … read more
Local Reviews: Shark Speed
Oh boy!! Another band with shark in the name. I am starting to think that the whole shark thing in the band name might be getting a bit over used. One thing that is comforting: this band is really good. Their sound is basically Franz Ferdinand mixed with The Appleseed Cast, who they opened up for at Kilby Court back on Feb. 20. These guys are dope-fresh. … read more
Local Reviews: Shark That Got Her
I want to start off with stating that Shark That Got Her has the coolest band name in the whole state of Utah. I have always been a sucker for band names with shark in them, i.e. Sharks Keep Moving and Bear vs. Shark. Getting back on subject, STGH sound nothing like the two previous bands mentioned. … read more
Movie Review: Your Name
I will always struggle with the notion of turning an animated film into a live action one, and Your Name only serves to galvanize those feelings. It’s a sweeping love story filled with unexpected twists, a humbling meditation on the power of fate in our lives and, perhaps most importantly, a stellar piece of visual art. … read more
Chocolate & Cheese Festival @ NHMU 04.08
I grabbed a toothpick and dove into dark chocolate, sharp cheese, caramel, chili oil, olive oil, coffee, honey and jam. There was even a chocolate dinosaur fossil sculpture that so intensely replicated source material that I thought I had strolled into the non-festival portion of the museum. … read more
Great Power – Interview with Prong’s Tommy Victor
With 10 original full-length albums and over 30 years of experience, Prong have not passed their prime. I actually hate but often adversely agree with the notion that most artists fade with age. There are always exceptions and Prong’s last three full-lengths feel more like prime cuts than regurgitated leftovers. … read more
Foxygen @ The State Room 04.05
Foxygen rose to fame in part due to their incredibly witty and raucous album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, and in part because of their explosive, theatrical, at times completely fucked-up, dramatic live performances. Thus, I was somewhat anxious and feverishly excited to have the opportunity to see them live here in Salt Lake in support of their most recent release, Hang. … read more
Tinariwen, Dengue Fever @ The State Room 04.07
Tinariwen with the support of Dengue Fever was not a show to be missed. Both groups capture the aspects of music that require no translation. They perform with humility and with grace. … read more
Little Dragon: Sweet Escape
Little Dragon head out an extensive tour and will be bringing their freshest hits to Salt Lake City’s popular Twilight Concert Series on July 20. … read more
Binge-Worthy Journalism: Serial Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder @ Eccles Center 04.01
At their Binge-Worthy Journalism talk in Park City’s Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, Koenig noted, “We thought it would be great if we could get 300,000 downloads.” They may have undersold themselves slightly, as they reached that number about three days after release. … read more
Creature Feature: Bridging the Gaps with Jude Wanders
One of the latest additions to the Salt Lake drag scene, Jude Wanders considers themselves a drag king or a drag thing and uses their background in theater in their performances. Their connection to masculinity in and out of drag makes what they do both unique and powerful. … read more
Localized: Brain Bagz
Out of the ashes of Swamp Ravens are a force to be reckoned with: Brain Bagz. The members of Brain Bagz bring a wide range of influences to the band, most notably Midwest and Southern punk, black rock n’ roll and the blues. Catch them at SLUG Localized on April 20. … read more