SLUG Contributor Limelight
June 21, 2007
Contributor Limelight: Ryan Powers
Ryan Powers a.k.a. Agape, is a local SLC fashionista, SLUG writer, SLUG Games DJ and graphic designer extraordinaire who “fashioned” this month’s cover. Mr. Powers wears many hats (designer hats that is) in his everyday life. He just recently returned from an epic west coast tour and plans to tour Japan in 2008. When he’s not riding BMX in his spare time or breakdancing at the Vortex, Ryan puts the “RP” in ARUP as the editor of the company newsletter. Ryan Powers is available for freelance graphic design work and he’s damn good at beer pong too!
Articles by contributor
Local Reviews: AODL
Punishingly thick noise, AODL’s Scab Vodka Melt has a distinct protonoise flavor��a single layer of frequencies wildly fluctuating and distorted beyond all reason. Occasionally, the sounds will layer to create a bit of a dynamic building effect, but overall the album leans towards hammering consistency and repetition. … read more
Localized: VCR Quintet
On the second Friday of every month, SLUG brings unique local musicians into the limelight at Urban Lounge to highlight the amazing and often hidden talents of Salt Lake, for a measly five bucks. On Nov. 9, Localized challenges the listener with two groups that push the envelope in the experimental electronic scene, the VCR
Localized: Soundtrack Scene
On the second Friday of every month, SLUG brings unique local musicians into the limelight at Urban Lounge to highlight the amazing and often hidden talents of Salt Lake, for a measly five bucks. On Nov. 9, Localized challenges the listener with two groups that push the envelope in the experimental electronic scene, the VCR
The Fucking Interview: Metal, Recording and Life according to The...
In the current underground music scene there just aren’t many bands that can claim to have placed 24 guitars on a single track, or brought down the house with a Johann Sebastian Bach cover, complete with harmonized guitar solos. Yes, I am afraid the golden age of metal has died, with guitar virtuosity taking a
Pet Peeves, an Animal Collective Interview
The Lewis and Clark of the sound spectrum, Animal Collective’s psych-folk noise-rock agenda brings even the harshest critics to their knees. … read more
White Lightnin’ – Review
Director: Dominic Murphy For those who are familiar with Jesco White, or have seen the documentary featuring the eccentric hillbilly – prepare to be surprised and shocked. Dominic Murphy’s White Lightnin’ takes Jesco’s story and ‘extrapolates’ the story to a level of psychopathology in both story and presentation. A stark, desaturated presentation gives the film
Paul Oakenfold at Downstairs
A late night party sponsored by LIVEstyle Entertainment featured legendary trance/house DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold, LIVEstyle is one of the largest event producers at North American film festivals, and usually brings out big names and sponsors for their live events – this year they presented the Bon Appetit supper club, the Film Lounge Media
Common at Harry O’s
Common’s performance at Harry O’s was a refreshing and invigorating, the seasoned rapper played many of his familiar hits, bringing the crowd to a near frenzy of hip hop arm pumping and hip swiggling ecstasy. The club set up helped his presentation, the soundsystem had enough bass to nearly make me sick to my stomach,
Humpday – Review
Director: Lynn Shelton Humpday’s premise sounds a bit ridiculous, potentially homophobic, and somewhat juvenile. I could not have been more mistaken. The film’s honest and bizarre perspective on human sexuality and dimension was an illustration of the depth of human spirit and expression – whether you’re married, traveling the world as a gypsy, or staying
I Live in the Woods – Review
Director: Max Winston Nightmare before Christmas on hillbilly crack? Well, that is as close as you can get to describing Max Winston’s style of gruesome claymation. This was probably one of the funniest and most absurd shorts I have ever seen – giving in entirely to adolescent hyperbole and ultra-gore. The film follows one hillbilly’s
Push – Review
Director: Lee Daniels The film adaptation of Sapphire’s Push is a stunning and phenomenal story of racism, poverty, education, growing up, and love told through the heartwrenching tale of Precious Jones, a black teenager in Harlem pregnant by her father for the second time, illiterate, and destined to a miserable fate at the hands of
Joel Stein’s Completely Unfabricated Adventures – Review
This is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. It does not deserve a serious review. It does not deserve to be at this festival, and it does not deserve anyone’s attention. It has the wit of an eight-year-old’s first YouTube animation and a story so pointlessly boring it is better left buried somewhere and
WMC 2009: Blog House Grows Up – True Talent Rises...
In a city built upon cocaine, its no small wonder the partying is taken very seriously – every event goes all night, slowing only slightly in the mid afternoon for slightly quieter beach parties and pool jams. First of all, Winter Music Conference is a very misleading name for this excursion into debauchery and partimus
Day 1: Friday, January 18, 2008
(Photo Caption: DJ Aoki at The House of Hype) Park City is ramping up as the Sundance Film Festival begins with a bang! Everyone’s friend, Tom of Myspace, threw a little soiree with Djs Nick Cannon, Steve Aoki, Irie, and Spider on the turntables. The Party was sponsored by Patron, and as a direct result,
Day 2: Saturday, January 19, 2008
Day three, I still haven’t seen a single film. Missed a few important events today, including the Slamdance Sledding Party and the Outfest Brunch. Turns out that Friday night’s fun ruined my ability to function for most of Saturday. However, by the time I did make it up to Park City at 6p.m., the various
Day 3: Sunday January 20, 2008
Ah, the sight of overfilled parking lots, the roars of PETA members, and the incessant chatter of individuals’ hatred toward Paris Hilton. This can only mean one thing…the 2008 Sundance Film Festival is in full effect! First stop, the Rock the Vote party at the House of Hype. With vintage Stevie Wonder classics filling the
Day 5: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Following a hearty meal of all you can eat vegan pizza with the various persons in town supporting Steaz sodas and energy drinks; we headed to Park City to catch Choke (see review below). I guess I ate a few too many slices, because I had to race to the yarrow to catch the 7
Day 6: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
After a refreshing nights sleep up in Park City, I was ready to hit the town early to take in some films. First up, Wesley Willis’ Joyride at Slamdance (see writer Jimmy Martin’s review); the film was phenomenally done, documenting the life and art of Wesley Willis through extensive footage, interviews, and photographs. An idiot
Day One – Sneak Preview and Open Bars
Day One July 23, 2008 Whoever had the idea that Comic-Con is just a gigantic nerd fest gathering was…well, right, but it’s so much more than that…so much more. These people are not fucking around. With an attendance number almost three times that of the Sundance Film Festival, San Diego is flooded with the
Day Two – Let the Insanity Begin…
After showering off the would be hangover courtesy of Sony Entertainment’s generosity, we made our way back to a San Diego Convention Center filled with wannabe Ghostbusters, ill-fitting Batman costumes, and custom built hoverboards…ok, that last one was badass. First up, a demo of the upcoming Ghostbusters video game scheduled to release this October. What
Day Three – Long Lines, Longer Lines, and Freddy
Day three kicked off with a roundtable interview with Robert Englund (A Nightmare On Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger)in his penthouse suite. His enthusiasm for horror and underground cinema was as impressive as was his knowledge of foreign horror and comic book history. Along with promoting his new blood, sex, and fears-filled film, Zombie Strippers, starring
Day Four – Who Reads Anyway? TV Takes over
The fourth day of Comic Con brings an influx of television into the previous read only format of a comic book festival. Two prominent series, Heroes and Lost kick off the panel schedules. Heroes stuns the audience with a screening of the entire first episode of the new third season. The new season begins with
Day Five – Practical Horror and Comics
The last day of Comic Con allowed for a bit more exploring on the convention floor, and some exploration of the comics, sci-fi props, and artwork available for sale. Some of the most rare works are on display but available only for auction – such as Batman #1 (est. $60,000), assorted Star Wars movie props
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Michael Ladsawy and Ryan Powers crashed the party at NYC’s CMJ music marathon, highlighting A-Track, Todosantos and Hearts Revolution in one of the Big Apple’s biggest music fests. … read more
Thursday, Oct. 23
Little Boots – Stuck on Repeat Hailing from England, Little Boots put on a live (as opposed to a DJ) set that was well put together but seemed to lack some of the danceable cohesiveness of some of the more blog house electro groups. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but the dance party
Saturday, Oct. 25
Down the street from the hotel, a bar called Piano’s was hosting a label showcase for 2 Syllable Records with That Ghost performing a lively set for the hungover crowd. Run Dim Sum C Aw, Run DMC branded Dim Sum. We didn’t actually eat at this classy establishment, but rather a dumpy establishment down the
Mary and Max – Review
Mary and Max Sundance Film Festival Director: Adam Elliot How refreshing to see a simple yet visually stunning claymation feature open the largest film festival in the country. Adam Elliot’s tale of loneliness, mental illness, and friendship was the booster shot Sundance needed to start their silver anniversary off in the right direction. Mary is
Harry O’s, Slamdance Opening Party, Le Castlevania
The early pre-party scene of Sundance was split amongst a few different scenes – check the gallery – After the first and only screening of Thursday, it was time to examine the other, wilder side of Sundance’s offerings… Main Street’s club and bar scene. It’s always a pleasant experience when the local establishments don’t forget
Queer Lounge, Yes Men, Chefdance, Green Party
Friday seemed to focus almost entirely on the party scene – as the few worthwhile screenings of the day were sold out and the other films lacked any sense of urgency. First up was TGIF (Thank GLAAD It’s Friday) event at the Absolut Queer Lounge. Known as THE spot for featuring queer film and art
The September Issue – Review
In a film that could be described with some accuracy as the ‘real’ story behind The Devil Wears Prada, The September Issue follows Vogue fashion editor through the production of the trend setting, fashion-defining bible that is the publication’s September issue. The documentary style is very observatory, avoiding any real criticism or in-depth exposure of
Queer Brunch
Early on Sunday Morning, I accompanied the Yes Men down to the Queer Lounge’s annual Queer brunch. A glorified continental breakfast, the company was excellent, but the sub par food and gift bag full of disposables left much to desire.-Ryan Powers
I Love You Phillip Morris – Review
Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s star-studded gay prison romance unites the Sundance tradition of edgy topics with the ‘sneak preview’ portion of Sundance, designed to merely create buzz about films destined for major distribution. In many ways, this dichotomy is what makes the film a landmark event in American cinema. The film retells the true
The Yes Men Fix the World – Review
Social engineers Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno have had their antics documented before by BBC, CNN, Associated Press, Fox News, and in the 2003 documentary The Yes Men. The film The Yes Men Fix the World is the first piece of art created by the Yes Men themselves to document not only their antics and
Adventureland – Review
Director: Greg Mottola While the all-star cast (Bill Hader, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds) delivers an exceptional set performances in Greg Mottola’s 80’s coming of age drama, the film itself lacks the characteristic style or flair of films such as Dazed and Confused, Superbad, or The Breakfast Club. However, the film does take the absolutely baffling
Myspace Cafe
Nestled in Park City Ski Resort’s lift lodge, the Myspace Cafe housed an all day breakfast and lunch diner – free of charge. A welcome break from shitty ‘lounges’ with terrible music, toxic hors d’oeuvres, and inconsistent lists – the Myspace Cafe crafted a great working environment with actually good food and a totally chill
Proof that Ground-Breaking Music always takes a Back Seat
Metal shows are often questionable territory: a sea of long-hairs and Nordic looking individuals beating the ever living shit out of each other, with no consideration for the smaller guys with haircuts, i.e., me. Entering The Venue Tuesday evening was quite a shock, when the crowd was thick with not metal dudes, but hardcore kids. … read more
HARD Fest LA
Halloween this year was celebrated a little different for throngs of electronic music fans in LA. The normal costumes you’d expect to see, you know, zombie Michael Jackson, the dude with the baby from the Hangover, etc., were replaced by Deadmau5 masks and almost-naked ravers. … read more
How to Succeed at Sundance Without the Burden of Being...
What the hell is an Ultra Lounge? Why would someone wait in line for 2 hours in the freezing cold for the chance to party with Pauly Shore? Honestly I don’t know, yet there I was again, carrying another 20 pounds of prominently branded crackers, jackets, lotions, sunglasses, headphones, body spray, water bottles, flash drives and chapstick. … read more
WMC – Best Parties and Sets of 2010!
Miami’s annual family reunion of DJs is as much a celebration of the best dance music of the past year as it is a preview of what you’ll be dancing to all summer—and what will be on the radio in two years. Rather than drone on about the nice weather (one thunderstorm withstanding), free drinkskis, amazing run-ins and a blogroll of namedroppings, I’m going to give you my own highlights of the festival. … read more
Trifecta of Terror: Three Horror Directors Descend on Park City:...
In the past few years, horror movies, in general, have taken an unprecedented nosedive as the political satire that originally gave horror films their bite has been watered down in favor of more violence and gore. SLUG Magazine recently talked to three prominent and wildly different “horror” directors with riotously dissimilar backgrounds about the horror movie genre and its future. … read more
Fuck You and the Disco You Rode In On
April 15 marks the one year Anniversary of Gutter Butter. No, it isn’t a drug, a reference for vagina goo, or smegma grated from a scrotum piercing. … read more
Pomp and Circumstance: SLC Pomp Brings Salt Lake Into Focus
One would be hard-pressed to find morefunctional friends with benefits than fashionand blogging�the constant flow of a widevariety of looks and styles from around theworld are closely monitored and documentedby a tight group of well-known fashion blogs.Both are universally criticized, and allow for theproliferation of terribly misguided creativity. … read more
Big Deluxe Celebrates 10 Years of Tattoos, Antics and Art
As Big Deluxe celebrates its 10th Anniversary this fall, owner and founder, Rich Dohoney, sat down with SLUG to talk about the history and legacy of the Big Deluxe empire. … read more
8ctopus Records
Slinging some of the more legitimate “out there” shit since 2006, 8ctopus Records tends to keep the focus local. … read more
Starkweather: Sheer Stubbornness and Musical Brutality Visit Salt Lake for...
Sustaining for an astounding 18 years, Philadelphia’s Starkweather has been a cornerstone of modern hardcore since their pioneering sounds in 1989 to their most recent release, 2005’s Croatoan. … read more
La Vita Vivace: Funkified Classical
Vivace represents a turn in the arts––the supposed inaccessible realms of high culture are now approaching youth and subcultures unabashedly in efforts to maintain support for the arts for generations to come. … read more
WHY ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE: A...
Combine the social disruption and confusion of culture jammers Improv Everywhere with the social awareness of Noam Chomsky, frame it as entertainment in a manner similar to Ali G, and you have a rough idea of how the Yes Men operate. This year at the Sundance Film Festival, The Yes Men’s new film, The Yes Men Fix the World, highlights the group’s illustrious pranks over the last five years. … read more
Coachella: Hipster Oasis or Epic Clusterfuck?
Indio California’s three-day festival, Coachella, has quickly become the most well-known music festival in the country. … read more
More Fog. More Lasers. More Ham. Less Sleep: New York’s...
When I hear the word “crew” used to describe a group of musicians, my first instinct is that the reason for the crew is to make up for some lacking in the crew members. For New York’s Trouble & Bass, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Each member of this party-promoting, record-producing, track-remixing bass juggernaut can stand alone, but together they represent some of the most aggressively fantastic bass-heavy dance music in the DJ world. … read more
Localized – W Lounge, DJ Flash and Flare and Muscle...
SLUG Magazine is finally old enough to drink legally (like we weren’t partying hard before …)! To celebrate, we’re merging the anniversary party with Localized and throwing a massive dance party at Urban Lounge. Join us to celebrate 21 years on Friday, Feb. 19 with performances from resident W Lounge DJ Flash and Flare, electro duo Muscle Hawk and the four-piece synth-infused Mammoth. … read more
Pro Fitness for Pro Gym-Avoiders
While physical fitness certainly has its benefits, a lot of people (including this writer) have a number of negative connotations about ‘going to the gym’ and the stereotypes of persons that embrace their gym memberships and workout routines. So, the occasional bike ride to the bar or sporadic day on the slopes is about the extent of exercise I experience in any given year. In efforts to tackle my fear of the more muscle-bound of us, I head towards Vitality Fitness – a unique gym hidden inside a commercial park in west Sugarhouse. … read more