Soundwaves Podcast
Episode #140 – Joshua James, Desert Noises, Northplatte Records
We can’t rage all the time, so this week we’re going for some easy listening. We speak with local folk musician Joshua James and co-founder of Northplatte Records, McKay Stevens. We hear music from James’ newest studio album and fellow label-mates, Desert Noises.
– Since his first release in 2006, Joshua James has been swooning people all over the country with his take on Americana. With five full-length albums under his belt, this juggernaut of folk doesn’t show any signs of retiring his voice or instruments anytime soon. SLUG recently spoke with James to pick his brain and find out what he has in the works.
– Subtle, soft and quiet only scratch the surface when describing the musical stylings of American Fork-based artist Joshua James. Check out the track “Styrofoam Boots” from his newest release, Well, Then, I’ll Go To Hell.
– Hailing from Provo, Desert Noises are an indie rock band who have been very busy since releasing their full-length album, Mountain Sea, back in 2011. Most recently, the group finished up a tour promoting their newest album which is due to be out this March. Listen to the song “Out Of My Head” from their upcoming release, 27 Ways.
– Northplatte Records has become a staple of Utah County musicians, with groups and artists like The Vibrant Sound, Sayde Price, Isaac Russell and Desert Noises calling the label home. SLUG sat down with co-founder McKay Stevens to find out more about this local record label.
Episode #139 – Yelp – Dinner & A Movie, The Hung Ups, S.L.F.M., Spring Movies with Jimmy Martin
On episode 139 of SLUG Soundwaves, Jeffrey from Yelp digs up the best places to get dinner and what movies to see after. We also hear from local bands The Hung Ups and S.L.F.M.
– Yelp’s, Jeffrey Steadman, has more tricks up his sleeve for Soundwaves listeners. Host Dan Nailen chats with the internet-knowledge guru and finds out the best places to grab satisfying and delicious local dinner fare.
– Fast and furious, The Hung Ups are a three-piece punk band who have been releasing music every year since forming in 2009. Digging into their anthology, we listen to the track “Crisis At The Pizza Store” off of their 2010 self-titled album.
– Dreamy, whimsical and gentle are only a few words that describe the ukulele punk/pop that is S.L.F.M. Jessica Davis, the voice and mind behind the music project, is currently wowing audiences on her nation wide tour to promote her latest album. We listen to “If We Died In The Movies” off of her 2011 release, The Kissing Party.
– SLUG’s film expert, Jimmy Martin gives Dan Nailen the lowdown on this Spring’s upcoming movie releases. Jimmy shares what he’s hopeful for as well as letting us know what movies to take heed of this upcoming season.
Episode #138 – Jay Whittaker, Chance Lewis, Jonny Brandin
At SLUG we try not to take things too seriously, so on this episode of Soundwaves we speak with stand up comedians Jay Whittaker and Jonny Brandin about their careers and the comedy scene in SLC. Along the way we hear music from Provo-based hip hop artist, Chance Lewis.
– Inspired by the loss of a close friend, Jay Whittaker took up stand up comedy using Salt Lake City as his home base. Our host Dan Nailen chats with Jay about his history with comedy and show business, daily inspirations and the budding comic scene here in Utah.
– Uplifting and honest, Chance Lewis challenges the norm with careful use of his words and a firm grip on the craft of sarcasm. His track “Life’s A Joke” reminds us that maybe we shouldn’t take our everyday bullshit so seriously.
– Starting his career in Las Vegas as a street performer, Jonny Brandin most recently made Salt Lake City his home. Jonny’s shows are often wild and unpredictable and in his interview with our host, divulges that he would “rather trick people into laughing” than use conventional means.
Episode #137 – Ruth Lewandowski WInes, The North Valley, Golden Sun, Yelp – Wines
We seem to be running with a liquor theme here on Soundwaves, but we’re sure you don’t mind. On Episode 137 we chat with a local wine maker, listen to some boozy tunes and find out the best places to buy and indulge in fermented grape beverage here in Salt Lake City.
– When he isn’t serving the patrons of Pago, Evan Lewandowski is hard at work perfecting the craft of winemaking. Evan tells us about his effort to keep natural ingredients a part of his blends and even has plans to start his own vineyard here in Utah.
– With southern twangs and heartfelt lyrics, The North Valley paint a picture of hard times and perseverance in modern times. Listen to the their track “Drink Alone” on this episode of Soundwaves.
– Brothers Jantzen, Chase and Weston make up the group Golden Sun, whose blend of alternative rock has been creeping its way into some big places the passed few years. Featured on this episode of Soundwaves is the title track from their 2011 release, “Wine Country.”
– Jeffery Steadman is back once again to bestow Yelp knowledge upon Soundwaves listeners and this time around he shares the best places to purchase/taste/enjoy wine here in Salt Lake City.
Episode #136 – Sean Hennefer, Visigoth, The Obliterate Plague, Making Fuck
On this episode of Soundwaves we speak with the local artist responsible for the cover of this month’s issue, chat with a member of MakingFuck about music and hear tunes from local bands that will be playing SLUG’s 25th Anniversary Party.
– Sean Hennefer is a local musician turned artist whose creativity produced the cover for SLUG’s 25th Anniversary Issue. He discusses the inspiration behind his oil painting “The Great Catsby” and the blossoming art scene here in Salt Lake City. Check out Sean’s work by picking up the newest issue of SLUG any place cool!
– Visigoth are a local, 5-piece band of epic proportions whose brand of heavy metal is fast, loud and reminiscent of power ballads from the 1980s. “Creature Of Desire” is sure to have you headbanging and hairi-caining.
– Like a shotgun blast to the face, The Obliterate Plague has been splattering skull fragments and brain matter with heavy blastbeats, unrelenting guitar riffs and satanic vocals since 1999. Their “Summoning Of The Dark Lords” is nothing short of terrifying.
– MakingFuck’s music doesn’t follow conventional means. Lead guitarist and vocalist, Kory Quist, speaks on casting music theory and timing aside and why pairing a cello with heavy guitar and slow, hardhitting drums makes their take on sludge metal a dark and chilling trip
Episode #135 – Slamdance, The Devil Makes Three, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Sundance 2014
Film Festival season has already come and gone. Were you lucky enough to make it to a premiere? If you missed out it’s okay, SLUG was at both Slamdance and Sundance to give you scathing opinions on upcoming films and educated insight into what was worth a damn on episode 135 of Soundwaves.
– Slamdance is a smaller festival with an intimate feel, providing independent filmmakers the chance premiere their work to other independent filmmakers. SLUG Editorial Assistant Alexander Ortega and Senior Writer John Ford discuss their favorites from the weeklong film gala.
– The Devil Makes Three recently passed through to play shows in Salt Lake and the Sundance Film Festival. Check out their song “Worse or Better” on this episode of Soundwaves!
– 20,000 Days on Earth gives you a look into a day of the iconic alternative rock star, Nick Cave. Using voice-overs, live performances and sessions from his home, filmmakers were able to create a story about Cave’s creative process. Listen to the title track for the film, “Push The Sky Away” on episode 135 of Soundwaves.
– Managing Editor Esther Meroño, Film Critic Jimmy Martin and Digital Content Coordinator Cody Kirkland were on hand to give exclusive SLUG coverage of the Sundance Film Festival. Our host Dan Nailen, chats with fellow SLUGgers about memorable, and forgettable, films at the popular festival.
Episode #134 – Liz Prince, Colossus, Dave Chisholm, Derek Hunter
On episode 134 of Soundwaves from the Underground, SLUG chats with local and distant illustrators to find out exactly what inspires them and what kind of careers are available to cartoonists.
– Often dealing with romance and bad luck, Liz Prince has a way of relating to readers through her comics. Her newest book, Alone Forever, deals with love, relationships, their eventual demise and the other problems that we, as humans, are bound to face.
– Dave Chisholm is both a comic book artist and an experienced musician. He was the mind behind “Let’s Go To Utah,” and since leaving the Beehive State to pursue higher education in New York, has collaborated with several groups. Last year Dave released an album with his jazz band, Colossus. Check out the track “Science Adventure” from their self-titled release on this episode of Soundwaves.
– Never one to limit himself to only a single form of expression, Dave Chisholm also releases music as a self-titled composer. This blend of jazz is more subtle and ethereal than his other projects, but is just as gripping. “Whisper,” from his 2011 release, Calligraphy, is a chilling walk through an array of sorrowful and wounded instrumentals.
– Derek Hunter, another cartoonist/musician from the valley, has found a career in cartoon illustration. His most current work includes backgrounds for Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time and various other creations for companies like Mattel, Disney and MTV Films. Despite keeping busy with his career, Derek also finds time to create original pieces for his website, PirateClub.com.
Episode #133 – Yelp – Sushi, Tolchock Trio, WIldcat Strike, Beer News with Mike Riedel
When dealing with a climate which can only be described as bi-polar there are two things that are essential: food and liquor. Our local food and drink gurus grace us with their presence and share the best places to drink and eat away your seasonal depression on episode 133 of SLUG Soundwaves.
– With 85+ sushi joints in the valley, tracking down the best can be a daunting task but thankfully, we have Jeffery from Yelp to do all the hard work for us. Jeffery knows where to find the tastiest and freshest raw fish dishes here in Salt Lake and we were lucky enough to have him stop by the studio to impart his food-wisdom upon us.
– Tolchock Trio, contradictory to their name, were a local four piece who in their 13 years saw a lot of line up changes but managed to break the “Salt Lake Curse” and remain together after gaining popularity. Each member continues to please the Salt Lake masses through a different medium these days as they are all working in the local food industry at fine establishments such as Eva and Takashi. Check out the track, “Hornets” from their 2005 release, Ghosts Don’t Have Bones on this episode of Soundwaves.
– Need some feel good tunes? Wildcat Strike are a group of dudes who pour their time and souls into music and it’s hard not to notice the passion they have when it comes to life through their work. Their self-titled debut is marked with pleasant piano and dreamy guitar, but don’t forget that these guys still know how to rock and roll when you listen to their song, “Beer Pressure.”
– Here at SLUG we’re thankful to have Mike Riedel to tell us what to drink. Golden ales, stouts and IPAs, whatever the beverage he has had it and is ready to tell us what he thinks. With local breweries ramping up production to keep us happy during the dreary winter days Mike shares some of his favorites, such as The Hive Winery’s raspberry hard cider and Bohemian’s Smoked Helles.
Episode #132 – Sugar House Distillery, Utah County Swillers, Thunderfist, Whiskey Street
Episode 132 of SLUG Soundwaves covers everyone’s favorite beverage: LIQUOR. Dan chats with the proprietors of a new distillery and a new bar found here in Salt Lake City, and we even jam out with some firewater-themed tunes from a couple Utah-local bands.
– James Fowler had always been an avid home brewer and decided that if he could make a tasty beer, why not try his hand at whiskey? After studying the art of the still, he enlisted the help of seasoned distiller and liquor master Dan Feldman and got the ball rolling on his grand vision.
– The Utah County Swillers are a bunch of good ol’ boys looking for a good time. This “trucker punk” band hails from Springville and aren’t afraid to refer to themselves as hillbillies, but don’t try and act up, these dudes are full of booze and looking to hand out an ass woopin’. Check out their track “Liquor Store” on this week’s episode of Soundwaves.
– Thunderfist started up about 15 years ago, and despite seeing their share of lineup changes and breaks still continue to play local shows and release albums here in Salt Lake City. Their song, “Hit The Bottle Again,” is a fast-paced country style rock and roll anthem that will have you chuggin’ beers and raising hell.
– Trace Hegeman and Jason Lacates, owners and operators of Bourbon House, were aiming to create an upscale whiskey bar in the heart of historic downtown Salt Lake City that would cater to anyone looking for fine drink, hearty meal and a welcoming atmosphere when they decided to start work on Whiskey Street. After months of waiting for licenses and repeated attempts to file the proper paperwork, these gentlemen were finally granted the right to serve patrons in their fine establishment.
Episode #131 – Hopscotch Outreach Foundation, Die Off, Baby Gurl, The BBoy Federation
Soundwaves is back for 2014 with Episode 131. Strap in for another year of podcastin’ with host Dan Nailen and your crew from SLUG Magazine.
– The Hopscotch Outreach Arts Foundation have invested their time and effort in the youth of Salt Lake City by offering classes in dance, film, writing and many other forms of alternative art. Founders Monica da Silva and Frazier Tedford explain the importance of educating our youth in these forms of expression while providing a friendly, nurturing atmosphere where kids can engage their creative side and turn their passion into life long skills.
– Die Off is a brand new 3 piece that formed over the summer of 2013. Keep your eyes out for these new comers who released a demo back in October, their brand of hardcore is heavy and bouncy with a kiss of southern rock and is nothing short of what you need to act a fool in the pit, brah.
– Baby Gurl sounds like they were methodically pieced together in a laboratory, before being raised up high into a tumultuous, stormy sky and brought to life by electricity that etched its way through darkness before finding a way into what was once dead flesh. This experimental rock duo is a monster that will have you grooving to weird, dancy buildups and tearing shit down to loud, funky breakdowns.
– Whether you’re crumpin’, popping and locking or two-stepping, The Bboy Federation views all forms of hip-hop and street style dancing as a way not only to express yourself but also as a means to travel the country and make ends meet. Co-founders Josh Perkins and Josie Marie speak on the organizations progress since its inception in 2008 and the BBoy Fed’s upcoming professional stage show which premieres this month.