Widowspeak @ Urban Lounge 10.26 with Big Wild Things, Pure Bathing Culture

Widowspeak @ Urban Lounge 10.26 with Big Wild Things, Pure...
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Having been described as “cowboy grunge,” Widowspeak quilt together classic Americana with darker rock and roll touches. Their Northwest background seems to add a very ’90s texture to their music. It was a bit alarming to me that there were only 30 people at most there to witness what was sure to be a glorious set. I overcompensated my excitement with cranberry vodkas and spilled one all over the floor during the first opener, Big Wild Things. … read more

Neutral Milk Hotel @ The Depot 04.01 with Elf Power

Neutral Milk Hotel @ The Depot 04.01 with Elf Power
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The symphonic effect of the full band seems to be a testament to the length of time that they have been making music together. Maybe after so many hours, weeks and months of this, they transcend as a group into music nirvana. Their music crosses into the familiar and timeless effortlessly, like a classic novel that anyone can pick up and connect with. The relationship Jeff has with his songs is incredibly intimate, and when he shares them with an audience their vulnerability is illustrious and historic. … read more

Cunninlynguists @ Urban Lounge 04.17 with Dumb Luck, Nemo Achida, Sadistik, J-Live

Cunninlynguists @ Urban Lounge 04.17 with Dumb Luck, Nemo Achida,...
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There’s nothing like arriving painfully early to the Urban Lounge on a Thursday. It’s dark, covered in the sticky residue of alcohol and/or sweat and sort of sad—like a teenage boy’s basement bedroom. I roosted in one of the decrepit booths and listened to an hour of sound check and A Tribe Called Quest being played at a shittily loud volume. Being a white girl from the suburbs, I take a certain pride in my love for Tribe. I felt like screaming to the three male strangers in the room, “THIS IS MY JAM, FUCKERS!” … read more

Run On Sentence: Feelings & Freedom

Run On Sentence: Feelings & Freedom
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Folk is, by definition, the carrying of culture. Dustin Hamman of Run On Sentence instinctively understands this—whether he’s at a hot springs ranch or a film festival, he internalizes experiences to translate into his music. His storytelling is second nature. … read more

Conor Oberst @ Red Butte Gardens 09.14 With Jonathan Wilson

Conor Oberst @ Red Butte Gardens 09.14 With Jonathan Wilson
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It’s likely that when you think of Conor Oberst, you think of Bright Eyes. His latest album and second solo release, Upside Down Mountain, suggests that his growth as an artist is still a working priority. … read more

An Interview with Brooke LaChance

An Interview with Brooke LaChance
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Mary Brooke LaChance does not look like someone battling Stage IV Melanoma. She is young and strikingly beautiful, with softly glowing skin and a sweet smile. … read more

Tacos and Graffiti: An Interview with Anthony Ortega

Tacos and Graffiti: An Interview with Anthony Ortega
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For as long as he can remember, Ortega has been dabbling in art. Whether it was ceramics or spray paint, he has always had his hands covered in something. … read more

SLUG Swings SXSW

SLUG Swings SXSW
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Being handed a press pass for SXSW made me feel like a 12-year-old in a candy store with an unlimited credit card. Believe me, whatever you’ve heard about Austin being the place to see music is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. … read more

SLUG Swings SXSW Day Two

SLUG Swings SXSW Day Two
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Attending a festival such as SXSW requires a level of patience and strategy not intended for the weak of heart. For my second day, I dedicated the majority of my time to an event put on by The House of Vans at the local indoor/outdoor venue The Mohawk. … read more

SLUG Swings SXSW Day Three

SLUG Swings SXSW Day Three
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Let me start off with a sincere wish—that Salt Lake City can grow into its still budding music scene and take some serious lessons from Austin. The 801 has got the community-oriented mindset that it takes to foster musicians, and our venues are only getting better, but something we are severely lacking is concert etiquette.  … read more