Year: 2013
Local Review: Caladan Brood
Evoking a bitter age of strife in a war-torn fantasy realm, Echoes of Battle shows an impressive amount of maturity for a debut release. With a tasteful mix of thoughtful orchestral arrangements and dynamic black metal sorcery, members Mortal Sword and Shield Anvil pay lyrical and musical tribute to Steven Erikson’s dark fantasy series, The Malazan Book of the Fallen. … read more
Local Review: Color Animal
After covering Color Animal for July’s edition of Localized, at which point in time they had not recorded anything yet, I was eager to hear their debut album. Despite having to wait a few extra months, this seven-song mini-LP with a great blend of psychedelic and garage/surf rock was worth it. … read more
Local Review: Hang Time
This album is defined by its lush instrumentation, dripping with cosmic flair. The guitar rhythms are jangly with just enough feedback, and occasionally angular enough to border math rock. … read more
Local Review: Harmon’s Heart
Harmon’s Heart album is worth a listen for anyone who pays attention to Exigent or is willing to unplug from the local hardcore scene for a few songs. … read more
Local Review: it foot, it ears
Cannonball Lessons is the second release from Salt Lake avant-garde duo, it foot, it ears. This five-song EP adds to the band’s catalogue a handful of stripped-down musical miniatures, which are at once endearing and exasperating. … read more
Local Review: Worst Friends
Having recorded this album as a two-piece, (pre bassist Elliot Secrist), Mike Cundick and Jarom Bischoff exhibit their impeccable knack for creating rock songs that are both virtuosic and passionate without lapsing into cheesiness. Opener “Nah Dude” pulsates with a riff that sounds like it is finger-picked, oscillating betwixt the lower and higher strings, which moves in a consistent, choral way, which explodes into erratic strumming. … read more
Carnivorous Acquisition: Sea Wolf Take a Bite Out of Utah
The Wasatch Mountains don’t bring to mind the ocean, obviously, but if you think twice, there is often a giant body of water cushioning us soundlessly in the winter time. A sea of snow is a pristine manner in which to welcome new Utah tour dates from Sea Wolf. … read more
365 Poetry @ Salt Lake City Photo Collective 01.05
On Saturday evening, I finally got around to experiencing the spoken word up close and personal, attending the 365 Poetry Collective hosted at the Salt Lake Photo Collective. With such hospitality, it was easy to see how so many people would feel comfortable in this environment to raise up with their voice to speak whatever one feels the desire to express. … read more
Exclusive Slamdance Interview: Diamond On Vinyl Director J.R. Hughto
The Slamdance Film Festival is well-known for showcasing flicks from first-time directors, but the festival is launching a new program this year called Beyond, which features films from directors with one film already under their belt. One of those directors is 34-year-old J.R. Hughto, whose sophomore film Diamond on Vinyl debuts at this year’s festival. … read more
Long Live the Independent Party: KCRW Curates New Music Program...
KCRW is one of the most prominent independent radio stations in existence. The radio station was invited to curate a new music program, The KCRW Music Café Presented by Acura, at the festival this year. SLUG was given an opportunity to speak to the program director, Jason Bentley, about this newborn program and what we can expect from it. … read more