This Arizona transplant has created a record full of sorrowful tunes that seems to organically flow from within himself. Gentle in his approach, each song is as thoughtful in its songwriting as it is in its production. One that stood out for me was “These Desert Nights,” which builds a picture of the lost feeling that Ellsworth himself has surely had while spending time in his native land. … read more
Local Reviews: DJ RoboRob
I was pleasantly surprised by how well produced this album was. DJ RoboRob is a local Salt Lake City DJ that you can find throwing the sickest electronic music you’ll ever hear at the Metro every Friday. Having been a producer for quite some time now, An Aria Electronica is his first EP, and he knocked it out of the park. Tantalizing synths, smart layering, amazing samples and hypnotic drums that melt beautifully into my ears are felt throughout the EP’s entirety. … read more
Local Reviews: Draize Method
Slamming out legit hardcore—literally from the ’80s—Draize Method and their onstage socks n’ sandals represent a bygone era that has come back to haunt us. The band namely hashes out D-beat punk with natural, mid-level vocal aggression and thrashy chugs, such as in “Fear.” They do, however, add an Agent Orange-esque element in “Myself” and “Mantra,” where vocalist Dan Fonoti sings in a ghostlike voice and then breaks into throaty wailing. … read more
Local Reviews: Dusk Raps
Throw Away The Key is the new full-length solo release from local hip hop mainstay Dusk One. Having been a member of MindState and collaborated on several shorter releases with Fisch Loops, amongst other projects, Dusk has been defining the scene—it was only a matter of time before he branched out of state and made his presence felt nationally. … read more
Local Reviews: GAZA
Salt Lake’s own grind-metal heroes have kicked their game up to some intense new heights with this record. Familiar elements of the previous albums prevail: the discordant insanity, the rib-smashing riffs, the harsh, grating screams from some lower bowel of hell. On top of this chaotic primordial soup, the band has planted layers of matured, rhythmic, doom-metal moments that feel like coming up for air before you drown. … read more
Local Reviews: Inland
With noodly, undistorted guitar lines and constant high hat in the forefront showcasing emotional vocals and thinly veiled romantic lyrics, Inland sounds exactly how I’d imagine Kickball did in high school. … read more
Local Reviews: Kristen Nelson
Beautiful, soulful melodies with drawn- out, twangy vocals comprise the majority of this seven-song EP/album, and a dash of pop helps keep it current and catchy. Kristen Nelson, originally hailing from Washington, brought the melancholy vibe often associated with her homestate to Utah. … read more
Local Reviews: Markham Sound
At first, I didn’t know if this was a serious attempt to create an album, but I quickly realized it’s some kind of blend between comedy and music. The album opens with the tune “Mom & Dad,” with a chorus that rambles off a list of bands, “Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Seals and Croft, Three Dog Night, Chuck Berry, Sly and the Family Stone.” … read more
Local Reviews: Mechanical Skies
This five-song EP continues the journey of Mechanical Skies, following their first release in 2010. Exploring the three members’ influences, which they list as ranging from Jimi Hendrix to All-American Rejects, this material has a definitive classic rock undertone throughout. … read more
Art Rising: Gallery Stroll Builds Artists Up
In a letter to his son in 1746, statesman Philip Stanhope, the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield, wrote, “Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” It’s fatherly advice that holds true 269 years later. Luckily, in the artist community, we have a tradition of mentoring—this tradition of passing down techniques and earned knowledge
Contributor Limelight: John Barkiple
John Barkiple is a beloved contributor for SLUG Magazine, having officially joined the team in 2009. He jumps at the chance to photograph anyone or anything—and he loves a challenge! His favorite shoots include the bike-lane parodies from the 2015 March Issue and May Bike Issue, the July 2012 Bo Huff car shoot and
Dear West Jordan, This Is Your Community: Miguel Galaz
Miguel Galaz has been working to teach youth about art for the last few years in afterschool programs as a teacher at the Mana Academy, and going out to work on interactive projects in the community. When a close friend was working to turn an old building that had hosted a number of restaurants
