Music
▼ Interview
Kilby Court Celebrates 15 Years of Musical Charm
The hidden gem of a venue that is Kilby Court has long been hailed as the heart of Salt Lake music culture. Most of us can remember our first expedition there: the sharpness of Salt Lake’s Granary District, all industrial gray and rusted, the expansive asphalt of 700 South flanked by long-abandoned businesses—unused train tracks ripping up 400 West, ragged plants the only signs of existence. What awaits music devotees at the end of Kilby Ct. is one the longest-running independent all ages venue in the U.S. July 18 marks a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the beloved venue. … read more
The Heaven We’ve Got: Slumberland at 25
Vinyl records and great tunes are a few of Mike Schulman’s favorite things. Slumberland Records (SLR), the label that Schulman and his friends started in 1989 around those things, has grown into one of the most beloved labels of the “pure, perfect pop” community. SLUG chatted with Schulman about indie pop culture, favorite records and running an independent label for 25 years. … read more
Massive Nights: An Interview with Tad Kubler of the Hold...
This past March, The Hold Steady released their sixth studio album, a 10-track scorcher titled Teeth Dreams. Since then, they’ve embarked on a globe-spanning tour that will make a stop at our own Urban Lounge in mid-July. SLUG Magazine caught up with lead guitarist and founding member Tad Kubler to talk about the new record, recent lineup changes and to ask about what’s influencing them these days. … read more
The Hunter: UZALA Track Down Aficionados Across the Globe
I had been listening to UZALA’s recordings online for three days by the time I was speaking on the phone with guitarist and vocalist Chad Remains to get the resolute details of his experience with this band, a proxy for doom. While traversing a sunny community garden, I could feel the weight of introspection speaking to me. Not unlike the physical scene I was part of, Remains was warm but with a shroud of gloom. In preparation for their upcoming Bar Deluxe show on July 14, I grilled him with some questions about his perspective on the last five years as a band. … read more
The Kids Are All Right: The 801 Sessions
801 Sessions is an entirely youth-run music production company, formerly known as Spy Hop Records. 801 Sessions consists of a group of students attending Spy Hop Productions—a nonprofit youth media organization who puts on their own shows every third Wednesday at The Shred Shed. The students find the bands, do all of the promotion, run the sound, the cameras and the lights, and then edit and mix the live footage into one well-composed video that they share online. … read more
Natural Causes: An Interview with Wolvserpent
When I think of Idaho, I am reminded of giddy little trips to the nearest state border from Logan, Utah, to buy Mickey’s 40 ounces and clove cigarettes, marveling at the porn selection available only minutes away. Little did I know that, as I was stocking up on forbidden fruit for bacchanal weekends, a serpent was tempting two talented musicians with visions of doom and drone. Wolvserpent, a two-piece based out of Boise, consists of Blake Green (vocals and guitars) and Brittany McConnell (drums and violin). They return to SLC on July 24 to play at Urban Lounge. … read more
Bastard Feast: Kicking You While You’re Down
Portland’s Bastard Feast, formerly Elitist, have opened a lot of doors for themselves in the year and a half of their existence. Their debut record as Bastard Feast, Osculum Infame, drops on July 22, and if you’re into heavy, aggressive, hateful metal, you should not only pick up the album when it’s released, but trudge down to The Shred Shed on Monday, July 7, to be sonically abused in the best possible way. … read more
Localized: Chalk
On July 11, emo noise-rockers Lydians will open a show at Urban Lounge featuring a few flavors of ‘90s alternative and punk. Rockers (and loafers) Chalk will be there, sharing some nod-worthy grooves before MoneyPenny (hopefully) gets naked and plays some punk songs. This show is 21+ and sponsored by the beer peddlers at New Belgium, the artists at Spilt Ink and the masters of radio at KRCL 90.9 FM. … read more
Punk’s Dead? An interview with Director James Merendino and a...
The cult-like following behind James Merendino’s film SLC Punk! is somewhat legendary among those who participate or are even aware of the subculture. Even during my travels, whenever I mention that I live in Salt Lake City, two things are always asked. One—Am I Mormon, and two—is SLC like the movie? Needless to say it has become a classic. … read more
EMA opens the Satellites for SLC: An Interview with Erika...
Despite the themes of disassociation and anxiety that she explores on her recent album The Future’s Void, Erika M. Anderson—otherwise known as EMA—is looking forward to connecting with her fans in Salt Lake. Before kicking off her tour, Anderson took some time during a rainy Portland afternoon to chat with us about virtual reality, H.P. Lovecraft, and the all-seeing eye of social media. … read more