I like to dance, and Muscle Hawk clearly like to make my booty shake. Their music is relatively straightforward techno in the vein of European greats like Justice or Daft Punk: The bass is heavy, the beat throbbing and the samples dramatic and super-polished. … read more
Local Reviews: OK Ikumi
Orem’s Karl Jorgensen has been perfecting this blend of playful chiptune melodies, elegant Komsiche synth lines, and glitched-out beat palate for five years now. While relatively new to Jorgensen’s output, I can’t help but feel like I have stumbled on to something that has taken years to make. … read more
Local Reviews: Pablo Blaqk
Born to Cuban parents, Pablo Blaqk picked up the guitar at 18 after his father declined his request for a gun. On his debut album, Sons & Daughters, he proves he made the right choice. Co-produced by Utah favorite Joshua James, each track reveals raw emotion and beautifully composed tracks. … read more
Local Reviews: The Toros
It’s rare these days to get a punk band with a genuine political statement, let alone one tied to localized references, but The Toros have given it one hell of a shot. Reading Is Important takes aim at the Utah establishment with songs like the grinding trucker tune “Gay Agenda,” the singalong diddy “Molly Mormon,” and the hypocritical anthem “Cheerleading Is Not For Gay Boys Anymore.” … read more
Local Reviews: Virgin Sophia/VCR5
I couldn’t find much press on either of these guys, and when I did, others were just as baffled as I was. It might just be that the local scene for these two electro-beat art-noise makers is so underground it makes them seem more enigmatic then they are. … read more
Local Reviews: Spell Talk
Spell Talk’s past year has essentially been a tidal wave of promotion and exposure. Any album following such a hectic year needed to push in one of two directions: more of the same for fan appreciation or experimentation for personal growth. … read more
Local Reviews: The Trappers
Chances are that had I not come across this album for review, many of you wouldn’t have ever known it existed. This five-piece ensemble aimed for Americana with a twist of country, and they got it… in the blandest fucking possible manifestation they could have created. … read more
SLUG Skate Photo Feature: Kevin Hutson
If you’ve ever seen Kevin Hutson skate in person or have seen footage of him, you’ll know that he’s a super-creative and technical skater. … read more
Subversive Shrink: Being a Good Ally
If your workplace has an ethics code, brush up and become empowered via information. Know what you are expected or required to address and how. Also, explore your workplace culture and the safety of reporting and know who will support you. It takes a village to be an ally! … read more
Gallery Stroll: The Struggle Is Real
Creating art is an exercise in connecting one’s passion and intellect, reflected in physical form. Once the creation process is complete, the battle to share the work with its intended audience begins. Think of Gallery Stroll as the battleground for art! … read more
Beer of the Month: Recommend Rye Saison
This month, I have the pleasure of introducing one of Utah’s newest breweries: Proper Brewing Company. … read more
Contributor Limelight: Shley Kinser
Shley Kinser’s first event as a SLUG marketing teamster was back in 2013 at our infamous 24th Anniversary tattoo parlor: Folks lined up for free SLUG tattoos from six local tattoo studios. Since then, she has lent SLUG her savvy skills at various marketing events. … read more
