Music
▼ Interview
Thunder and Doom: Grand Magus Triumphs with Power
Striding forward with their own breed of doom-filled heavy metal, Grand Magus have proven that they are still dedicated disciples of the riff with the release of Triumph and Power. This most recent offering from the trio of hard-rocking Swedes shows a surprising level of focus and maturity in their sound, and shows just how much this band has grown in the last 15 years. … read more
Heat Me Up: an Interview with Reverend Horton Heat
Reverand Horton Heat are one of those bands that every music fan knows, and with the way they tour, fans have probably seen them live a few times. They’ve charged through a 28-year career, always attempting new and challenging paths. A recent choice has been to include a guest appearance by another musical figure in their set. Guests, so far, have been Lemmy of Motörhead, Deke Dickerson, and Jello Biafra, who joined them on their Salt Lake date. … read more
Jack Name: Interview with a Shadow
Having just completed his European tour, Jack Name (Fictional Boys, White Fence) was taking time off to hang out and give SLUG the ins and outs before embarking on his United States tour with Dent May. … read more
Uncovering Sincere Psychedelic Rock n’ Roll
“It’s two parts of life that I’ve come to associate with over time,” says Asbury. “My dad passed away about five years ago, and we found a book of poetry that he had put together. The last poem that he put in that book is called Axxa … The second part comes from Hermann Hesse, my favorite author. In his book, Demian, they talk about Abraxas, which is supposed to be some gnostic god, both good and evil.” … read more
Always Talking: An Interview with Golden Sun
Golden Sun is a three-piece based in Cottonwood Heights. Weston (drums), Chase (vocals), and Jantzen Meier (guitar) are the minds and brothers behind the music. Their recent video for the song “Always Talking” is a slick example of how technology can empower just about anyone to make a great looking do-it-yourself video at home. … read more
Coldwaves and City Rain: Interview with LowCityRain’s Markus Siegenhort
LowCityRain is the solo project of Markus Siegenhort, member of German post-metal band Lantlôs. On the album, Siegenhort’s post-punk baritone shifts through such brooding sonic pathways—cold synths, heavy bass, melancholic guitars—through similar thematic territory: urban nights and modern indecisions. SLUG spoke with Siegenhort about the album and some of his favorite coldwave tracks. … read more
Some Dope Thoughts with DopeThought
Each city with a recognizable hip hop scene shows its own characteristics in its music. “There is a strong religious and spiritual influence in Utah. It’s not gonna sound like other cities—it’s gonna sound like Salt Lake.” SLC gets a bad rap from outsiders when there are so many different types of people, especially those expressive through art. It’s as though Salt Lake has an established norm which gives outsiders a preconceived idea—most of us get lost in translation. MakeMind has a goal of changing that norm. … read more
Farewell Transmission: RIP Jason Molina
It’s an all-too-familiar story: A brilliant rock musician succumbs to addiction, the urge to pick up a bottle or a needle, and not put it down. Those are some of the oft-romanticized rock creation/destruction myths. Rock music history is a stockpile, a wrecking yard littered with them. One of the latest casualties, March 16 of this year, was Jason Molina of the bands Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co, from organ failure due to alcoholism. … read more
Oddescee: Utah’s Fearless Freestyle Aficionado
Upon meeting Brandi Madrid, aka Oddescee, for the first time, you wouldn’t think you’re talking to Salt Lake’s one and only female battle emcee. In fact, the incredibly humble and down-to-earth mother of two is a self-proclaimed introvert and nerd—she proves it to me by proudly displaying the “NERD” tattoo on her back and telling me about her passion for books and the show Ancient Aliens. Her necklace, however, speaks of the woman that lies beneath: “Fearless,” it says. … read more
Ableton Push: A Worshop with Erin Barra @ Spy Hop...
Ableton, the Berlin–based music software company responsible for some of the most widely used production software in the world recently teamed up with New York–based singer/songwriter and remix artist Erin Barra to promote the latest in production technology⎯Push. … read more