The Flobots @ Kilby 05.15

The Flobots @ Kilby 05.15
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Salt Lake City was ground zero for a flobots invasion on Wednesday, May 15. Best known for “Handlebars,” the unconventional Flobots brought their brand of hip hop with a conscience to Kilby Court and a packed house.  … read more

Cotton Jones @ George’s Living Room 06.11

Cotton Jones @ George’s Living Room 06.11
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Giving the Urban Lounge a little competition, venue tenant George Coleman for one night only led strangers into his humble abode. … read more

Something Wicked This Way Came: The Dark Arts Festival @ Area 51 06.07-09

Something Wicked This Way Came: The Dark Arts Festival @...
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Celebrating its 12th anniversary, Utah’s Dark Arts Festival once again brought all manner of spooky, introspective and dark fun to club Area 51 last weekend.  … read more

They Might Be Giants @ The Depot 06.08

They Might Be Giants @ The Depot 06.08
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Leading up to this concert, I heard a lot about how people either dislike or “don’t get” They Might Be Giants, which is a shame because in an era where indie rock is starting to reign supreme again, you’d think there’s be a lot more music-critic love for a band of this caliber coming through town. When it comes right down to it, TMBG know how to put on a show for the fans, not just diehards or people who barely discovered them—everyone, to the point where the audience themselves become part of the performance. So it was no surprise (and a genuine relief to a longtime SLC concert attendee) to see a room full of people excited to be at a show.  … read more

Local Reviews: The Staff
 – Self-Titled

Local Reviews: The Staff
 – Self-Titled
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The Staff have still managed to conjure up the spirit of the genre and its homeland on this well-polished EP. Lead guitarist/vocalist Will Roney has the kind of deep, honey-soaked voice that is perfect for the melodious, jazzy trip his band is taking you on. 

  … read more

Local Reviews: Richard Tyler Epperson – Falling Between the Stars

Local Reviews: Richard Tyler Epperson – Falling Between the Stars
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My first few listens to Epperson’s debut album were spent wrapping my head around the surprisingly textured arrangement of his songs. Considering he plays all of the instruments (minus percussion) himself, it’s a pretty impressive debut. In addition to a large repertoire of musical ability, Epperson doesn’t seem tied to just one genre.  … read more

Local Reviews: Genre Zero – Self-Titled

Local Reviews: Genre Zero – Self-Titled
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Genre Zero usher a style of power alt-rock that I wish was more common in today’s local scene. With their recently released EP, vocalist Joshua Isbell wails in a John Darnielle–esque fashion to an upbeat, percussive tempo and rolling violin textures. 

   … read more

Local Reviews: Eyes on Kites – La Distancia

Local Reviews: Eyes on Kites – La Distancia
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From the onset of listening to this album, I was intrigued, and multiple listenings have only opened up more of that initial fascination. I’m partial to compositions that lack lyrics, with the notion that they can free your mind in a way that words limit you. 

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Local Reviews: Exer Ovu – Fell On a Faultline, Rose In A Church

Local Reviews: Exer Ovu – Fell On a Faultline, Rose...
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Exer Ovu is definitely not your garden-variety act.  For starters, the band is a product of a single dude who double tracks his voice on top of a (at most) two-instrument arrangement—which is predominantly acoustic guitar—that’s comparable to a modest freak-folk band. 

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Local Reviews: Einstein In A Patent Office – Supernova Sounds

Local Reviews: Einstein In A Patent Office – Supernova Sounds
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“Supernova sounds” is right! This album is a fantastic voyage through time and space, ambient but driven, with a totally modern production, but somehow still takes me back to my favorite classical songs. 

… read more