She’s A Lady Fest: 2012 Edition @ Free Speech Zone 07.14

She’s A Lady Fest: 2012 Edition @ Free Speech Zone...
By

I am happy to announce to you Salt Lake City dwellers that a community of extraordinarily talented female musicians surrounds us. This years Lady Fest at the Free Speech Zone showcased an exciting variety of such local artists. … read more

Liars @ Urban Lounge with Cadence Weapon

Liars @ Urban Lounge with Cadence Weapon
By

Then, like a splash of hot oil in the face, we were hit with the caustic surf guitar and cymbal crash of Sisterworld’s “Scarecrows on a Killer Slant.” The crowd members immediately started slamming into each other as our long-forgotten punk instincts took over, and the band took advantage of our heightened energy as they moved into the dance-punk club banger, “Brats,” from WIXIW. It was as if the Liars from 2001 met the Liars from 2012 and made a song together—too bad nobody knew how to dance, because this would have been the time for it. … read more

Fitz and the Tantrums @ The Depot 07.03

Fitz and the Tantrums @ The Depot 07.03
By

After spending a night with Fitz and the Tantrums, I realized that when artists take a quintessentially American music staple like soul and douse it in Los Angeles swagger, I get all gushy about living in a country that makes this brand of awesome possible. … read more

Girl Talk 06.21 @ In the Venue

Girl Talk 06.21 @ In the Venue
By

Although I’d never attended a Girl Talk show and am hardly partial towards mashups to begin with, I felt hard pressed to see what Gregg Gillis was all about considering he’s been getting repeat plays in my car. From what I’d heard, Gillis’ modus operandi for his live music’s production relied solely on a single laptop—nothing else. … read more

This Will Destroy You @ Urban 06.14

This Will Destroy You @ Urban 06.14
By

The band sets up quickly, and we all congregate to the front of the stage. Without a word, Jeremy Galindo (guitar, effects), Chris King (guitar), Alex Bhore (drums) and Donovan Jones (bass) begin to play their heavy, otherworldly brand of ambient noise-rock. … read more

John Ross Boyce and His Troubles @ Kilby Court 06.12

John Ross Boyce and His Troubles @ Kilby Court 06.12
By

As a former resident of the area, I empathize with the folks that live down in Utah County. The community has an overbearing influence from BYU and can, at times, become pretty annoying. Luckily that town has a thriving music scene for folks to find an outlet to release frustrations, and bands like John-Ross Boyce and His Troubles express the woes of life in a counter-religious way, providing tunes for all the troubled kids that may find themselves in deadbeat Provo. … read more

The Shins, The Head and The Heart, Blind Pilot @ Red Butte 05.28

The Shins, The Head and The Heart, Blind Pilot @...
By

What’s better than getting to see The Shins? Getting to see two bands you’ve been solidly obsessed with for ages beforehand, making for a holy trifecta of folk pop. This Red Butte show sold out like crazy despite $50 tickets, so clearly I wasn’t alone in recognizing the glory of this lineup. … read more

Cold World @ SLC Foursquare Church on 05.23

Cold World @ SLC Foursquare Church on 05.23
By

There was a distinct time in hardcore lore when Cold World was absolutely the BIGGEST thing past or present. CW Bape shirts commanded hundreds of dollars on Ebay. Snagging an Ice Grillz EP on clear wax or the debut was akin to snifting the Hope Diamond. … read more

Jeff The Brotherhood @ Kilby Court 5.24 with Creature Double Feature

Jeff The Brotherhood @ Kilby Court 5.24 with Creature Double...
By

To watch Jeff the Brotherhood strut about the stage, intermittenly plugging in cables, tapping cymbals and copping sips from indiscrimate bottles, is like watching a nature documentary.  … read more

Here We Go Magic @ Urban Lounge on 05.23

Here We Go Magic @ Urban Lounge on 05.23
By

Ever since I first heard Hospitality on the radio months ago, and most recently on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, I’ve become increasingly fond of their pop sound, especially with the distinct voice of Amber Papini. With that said, the fact that Here We Go Magic were headlining this show was an added bonus, since I haven’t seen them live before but heard they put on good show. … read more