National Music Reviews – January 2013

National Music Reviews – January 2013

Releases from Amenra, Big Dipper, How To Destroy Angels, Old Man Markley, Pere Ubu, Teh Vaccines, Vomitor and more are reviewed. … read more

Carnivorous Acquisition: Sea Wolf Take a Bite Out of Utah

Carnivorous Acquisition: Sea Wolf Take a Bite Out of Utah
By

The Wasatch Mountains don’t bring to mind the ocean, obviously, but if you think twice, there is often a giant body of water cushioning us soundlessly in the winter time. A sea of snow is a pristine manner in which to welcome new Utah tour dates from Sea Wolf.  … read more

Head Room: Comadre Unleashes Comadre

Head Room: Comadre Unleashes Comadre
By

“We write until we feel like we don’t have good ideas anymore,” says Jack Shirley, guitarist of the Bay Area punk band, Comadre. For a band that has put out three previous, full-length albums, splits with Trainwreck and Glasses, five mixtapes, an EP and a self-titled record out Jan. 8 on Vitriol Records, it’s clear that they are nowhere near a drought of creativity. What’s more is that Comadre have underpinned their existence with a tenure of DIY ethics, having self-released all of their releases up until this one on Bloodtown Records. … read more

Baby Ghosts: Pop-Punk Poltergeists

Baby Ghosts: Pop-Punk Poltergeists
By

Part Provo and part Salt Lake, the aggro-adorable music of Baby Ghosts exists in a nebulous world where pop-punk, cuddlecore, anime, garage rock and 8-bit video games coalesce into a perfect party soundtrack. The co-ed four piece utilizes three of its members as vocalists—singing, screaming and harmonizing playful yet thoughtful lyrics over bouncy melodies that give way to some certifiably shredding guitar work. The band has a wide appeal, equally embraced by the more indie rock-oriented crowds of Velour as well as the blossoming Provo hardcore scene. … read more

Localized – January 2013

Localized – January 2013
By

Embarrassment might hold you back from admitting you were scared to make plans beyond Dec. 21, but if you’re reading this, the new year came and you survived the world’s end. Come celebrate your survival with the thrash-punk-metal noise of Screaming Condors and Simian Greed at Urban Lounge on Jan. 12. Cancer Culture open at 10 p.m.—your 21-plus ID and $5 get you in. … read more

Pac Div with Snoop Dogg @ The Depot 12.21

Pac Div with Snoop Dogg @ The Depot 12.21
By

Watching Pac Div on stage reminded me why I love hip hop: They absolutely impressed the shit out of me and they were only 20 minutes into their set! Fun antics, probing lyrics, hyper energy and a beat you can twerk to—these are a few of my favorite things and Pac Div gave it to me, plus tenfold. … read more

The Ririe-Woodbury Dance company presents Three @ The Rose Wagner 12.13-12.15

The Ririe-Woodbury Dance company presents Three @ The Rose Wagner...
By

The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company continued its countdown to the departure of Artistic Director Charlotte-Boye-Christensen, by presenting Three, which took the form of a retrospect of Boye-Christensen’s work, featuring pieces dating back as far as 1995 or as recently as earlier this season.  The show gave a broad overview of the choreographer’s work, displaying not only her exploration of technologies and media, but also an unusually broad expressive range. … read more

Brentano Quartet @ Libby Gardner Hall 12.04

Brentano Quartet @ Libby Gardner Hall 12.04
By

The evening turned out to be one of my favorite so far of the season, performing selections from Purcell’s Fantasia, and two-string quartet works by Beethoven. The performers took me on a whirlwind of an adventure that brought to mind imagery of exploring forests and climbing mountains, with a full range of emotions visited throughout, dancing between the depths of Hell and the Pearly Gates of Heaven. … read more

Joshua James @ Velour 11.29

Joshua James @ Velour 11.29
By

Velour has been bustling this year after being named Utah’s best music venue in 2012 by Salt Lake Magazine. It has been hosting up-and-coming acts from around Utah and continued its tradition of being a launch pad for bands to move on to the bigger and better (think Neon Trees, Imagine Dragons, Fictionists). Of all its successes this year, Joshua James’ triumphant CD release show(s) should be counted as one of the brightest. … read more

ROAD WARRIORS: Meet The Muscle Behind the Vans Warped Tour

ROAD WARRIORS: Meet The Muscle Behind the Vans Warped Tour
By

FuseTV premieres their new, unscripted series, Warped Roadies, which follows pit reporters, stage managers, and the primary set-up crew responsible for keeping Warped Tour running without a hitch. Check out our interview with the Salt Lake based crew. … read more