SLUG Contributor Limelight
April 5, 2023
Contributor Limelight: Mary Culbertson
Since joining SLUG in 2019, Mary Culbertson has dipped her toes into a variety of subjects, but her writing shines brightest in our music section. Balancing detailed knowledge with evocative imagery, Mary’s writing helps give SLUG its essential voice. Check out her Localized articles on Sharing and The Alpines in our April 2023 issue.
Articles by contributor
Local Music Singles Roundup: April 2025
Sometimes I have to throw up my hands and say I got nothing — nothing but six excellent singles from six killer local bands. … read more
The Secrets of Brand Propaganda, According to Aaron Gough
To Aaron Gough, the way marketing agencies go about their business is backwards. After founding his own agency, Scavenger Creative, Gough invented a new, foolproof way to get the word out. … read more
Local Review: Gavanni — Fever Dream
I now await the day when Gavanni invites another artist into his now-established sound, because I think he’ll shine even brighter for it. … read more
Local Review: Sunhills – Planetarium
Sunhills Planetarium is glittered with samples that seemingly come from mission control, poking the eerie feeling of “sitting in a tin can, far above the world.” … read more
Bold & Beautiful: Heller Highwater
Heller Highwater is a Wyoming-raised space cowboy navigating disability, trauma, and masculinity through “Reclaiming his Yeehaw.” … read more
Top 5 R&B Albums of 2023 That Prove Girls Run...
As 2023 makes its way into history, war seems to be everywhere you look (again). Amidst the greatest pain, the mamas of the world offer unprecedented perspectives of love. … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: December 2023
This month’s hand-picked blend of dream pop, shoegaze and psychedelic rock from local artists pairs perfectly with the changing seasons. … read more
Local Review: Angela Isaacs – Missing Cat!
Missing Cat! is a humble collection of songs rooted in classic acoustic sound. Angela Isaacs doesn’t ask for publicity, but for listeners with a hefty vulnerability. … read more
Warpaint: DIY Festival Headliner
Warpaint will make their debut on the Craft Lake City stage after a seven-year recording hiatus, jamming out to songs from their new release, Radiate Like This. … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: August 2023
Savor every last moment of vacation heat by checking out our August Local Music Singles Roundup, featuring artists from the Salt Lake Valley! … read more
Bold & Beautiful: Davín
Davin is a performer that won the Queers Got Talent event held earlier this month. … read more
Rock Camp SLC: A New Generation of Bowie and Boy...
Rock Camp SLC provides young, aspiring musicians the opportunity to work with established practitioners. … read more
Local Review: Prince Duck – A Comfort To You
Prince Duck = Moby + Iron & Wine … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: May 2023
While you’re out peddling your speeding heart out around the Salt Lake Valley, why not indulge in some local music? Our May Local Music Singles Roundup is here to pleasure the ear holes. Tune into some psychedelic low-fi for casual cruises or pump up the volume to some heavy metal. Plug in the headphones and press shuffle—you’re strapped in for the best of SLC’s music scene! … read more
Localized: Sharing
With the release of their debut EP, Good Color, Sharing play energetic, sincere and euphoric shows together, connecting with their crowds on an emotional level. … read more
Localized: The Alpines
With a wealth of shared musical experience, Danny Patiño and Bri McCall make up the indie, pop/rock duo The Alpines. … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: April 2023
Our April Local Music Singles Roundup is here! From SLC punk to subtle pop to R&B and more, there’s something for every listener here. … read more
Review: Andy Shauf – Norm
Andy Shauf = Elliott Smith + Chris Staples … read more
Local Review: T-James – Workin On A Come Up
T-James = will.i.am + J. Cole … read more
Review: Billy Nomates – Cacti
Billy Nomates = The Smiths + Lorde … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: January 2023
3… 2… 1… Happy New Year! Along with 2023, SLUG’s January Local Music Singles Roundup has arrived! … read more
Local Review: Willow Skye-Biggs – lexen
Lexen = Aphex Twin + Thrupence x Bon Iver / Grimes … read more
Local Review: Flamingo – The Flamboyance
Flamingo = New Orleans Rhythm Kings + Michael Buble x Trombone Shorty … read more
Local Review: Magda-Vega – Stella
Magda-Vega = Stevie Nicks + Alice In Chains … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: November 2022
Catch up with new releases from Hoppy, Lazer Kitten, Vivien Royel and more in SLUG’s November Local Music Singles Roundup. … read more
José González w/ Madi Diaz @ Red Butte 08.29
The sold-out summer night at Red Butte Gardens was euphoric and peaceful. The energy in the air came from an amazing crowd of patient, kind people, excited but not boisterous. The grass was packed with attendees not afraid to be close to each other—in fact, they welcomed it. Strangers talked to strangers, drinking their wine
Local Music Singles Roundup: September 2022
These six new tracks accompany all of the moods heading into the new season: a blanket burrito and a cup of tea OR a brisk walk outside with a friend. … read more
7 Crucial Bands at Crucialfest 11
SLUG has compiled a list of seven Crucialfest 11 bands, provided some background and highlighted a track for each—all so you can decide who to see for yourself. … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: August 2022
As the sweltering season sinks into its final sunsets, the SLUG team has cherry-picked a basket of tunes to accompany you into the autumnal cooldown. … read more
She & Him Melt Away Tour – A Tribute to...
Deschanel was stunning. Her vocals were incredible—especially considering the chilly, night air—during this She & Him tribute show to Brian Wilson at Red Butte. … read more
Just Don’t Give a Fuck So Much: Form of Rocket’s...
Form of Rocket picked up again in 2018 and is booked for the highly anticipated Kilby Block Party this year on May 13. … read more
Local Review: Sanyo Static – Digital On-Screen Graphic
Sanyo Static’s most recent release, Digital On-Screen Graphic, is a piece of work that’s best described as musique concrète. … read more
Review: Howless – To Repel Ghosts
Howless = New Order + Slowdive … read more
SLUG Mag Celebrates the Variety in Local Music with DBS...
The artistry and production quality presented with Death by Salt VI is a display of Salt Lake’s real excellence. … read more
Local Review: FlipJ – How to Shapeshift
FlipJ’s How to Shapeshift is a display of style and spatial dynamics that can only be pulled off in the world of great hip-hop. … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: January 2022
Another month means another edition of SLUG’s Local Music Singles Roundup, so spring into the new year with these fresh new bops. … read more
Atreyu @ The Depot 12.09: Interview
Ahead of their show at The Depot on Dec. 9, read an interview with hard rock outfit Atreyu’s longtime bassist, Porter McKnight. … read more
Top Five Bedroom Pop Fetish Albums of 2021: Men I...
Men I Trust = Phoebe Bridgers + Mac DeMarco … read more
Local Review: Wiberg – w.i.m.o.b.
Wiberg = Van Halen x Joy Division + Rush … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: November 2021
November’s Local Music Singles Roundup has some talented Utah locals that are guaranteed to mix up your music rotation. … read more
Review: Anika – Change
Anika = Björk + St. Vincent … read more
Local Review: KayFly – Just Wait
KayFly = Christina Perri + The Staves … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: July 2021
Welcome to our July “Local Music Singles Roundup,” where we look to our ever-trusty music community to bring in the summer heat! … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: June 2021
While we wait for everyone to get their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, pop on some local tunes to rock out and welcome these brighter days! … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: May 2021
In this month’s “Local Music Singles Roundup”: Cardboard Club’s cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes off You”, MOD’s “Twin Flame” and more. … read more
Local Review: The Dream Tapes – The Dream Tapes
The Dream Tapes is a feel-good experience that solidifies the band as Utah’s 2021 version of the Beach Boys. … read more
Local Review: Catalogue – No Rules
Catalogue = Tycho + Plini … read more
Local Review: Scouty – Erasing Elation
Scouty = Machine Gun Kelly + Dashboard Confessional + Angels & Airwaves … read more
Review: Pinton – Music EP
Pinton = Brand New + O’Brother … read more
Virtualized: Josaleigh Pollett
Josaleigh Pollett and her team have managed to achieve an indie-rock-folk fusion sound that’s smashing and layered with intensity. … read more
Virtualized: Marny Proudfit
Marny Proudfit and her team poured so much into the record that she felt it needed much more time to give it the release that it deserved. … read more
Local Review: Red Dirt Girls – Red Dirt Girls
Red Dirt Girls = The Staves + Iron & Wine … read more
SLUG Picnic: Cherry Thomas
When Cherry Thomas talks about what performing now feels like, she says, “When I’m singing, that is when I feel the happiest, and it’s an addictive feeling. … read more
Local Review: Rose Colored Roots – The World is Flat...
Rose Colored Roots = Franz Ferdinand + STRFKR … read more
Local Review: Michael Barrow & The Tourists – Something New
Michael Barrow & The Tourists = John Mayer + Mumford & Sons … read more
Local Review: First Daze – On a Roll EP
First Daze = The Head and the Heart + Sharon Van Etten … read more
Review: Carla dal Forno – Look Up Sharp
Carla dal Forno = Daughter + RY X … read more
Local Review: Pick Pocket – (Living) Room
Pick Pocket = Cloud Nothings + Beach Fossils … read more
Review: Cat Casual & The Final Word – The Secret...
Cat Casual & The Final Word = Modest Mouse + Pink Floyd … read more
Local Review: Scouty – Prophet
Scouty = Twenty One Pilots + X Ambassadors … read more
Local Review: Quiet Oaks – Almost OK
Quiet Oaks = Alabama Shakes + The Rolling Stones … read more
Local Review: Herring – Herring
Herring = Jeff Buckley + The Killers … read more
Local Review: Sunhills – Roll Your Windows Down
Sunhills = Phoenix + Harry Styles … read more
Local Review: Josaleigh Pollett – No Woman Is The Sea
Josaleigh Pollett = The Civil Wars + The Decemberists … read more
Local Review: Emily Merrell – Masks
Emily Merrell = Solange + Emily King + Janelle Monáe … read more
Unmasking Emily Merrell: Interview and Single Premiere
Emily Merrell’s Masks is a cinematic, jazz-fusion type of genre. It’s a marriage between the two styles that’s carried by her smooth and enticing vocals. … read more