SLAMMys 2008 | 19 Things We’re Loving About Local Music Right Now
By Bill Frost @bill_frost, Jamie Gadette, Jenny Poplar and Ryan BradfordPage 3 of 3
Now If Only The Homegirls Would Step Up
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it again: Good hip-hop abounds in Salt Lake City. 2007 releases by MindState, Sinthesis and DeadBeats emphasize intelligent lyrics, experimental beats and production value that’s nothing to fuck with. Even Ogden producer Linus released an instrumental album whose slick beats and samples burgeoning emcees should downright salivate over. Before, the idea of a Utah rap scene was cute—any amateur could be revered as revolutionary. But, for the first time, we can discern between quality—and sucka—emcees. Let the hate mail roll in! (RB)
He Had a Point About Pain, But ...
Don’t get me wrong: I would “do” my iPod if it were physically possible (here’s to futuristic technology), but it would be just a dirty affair. In the back of my mind, I wouldn’t be able to shake the image of my loyal CDs waiting for me to come home. Despite some revolutionary breakthroughs in digital music (Radiohead much?), Salt Lake City’s Slowtrain has reported an “increase” in album-sales over the past year. There’s no doubt that digital music is the future, but you don’t need to watch High Fidelity to know that local record stores are microcosms of the musical community and genuine interest (plus, CDs are still better quality than anything you buy on iTunes). The CD is not dead yet, no matter what Trent Reznor says. (RB)
Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
Ah, the great psychedelic rock & roll of the 1960s. It never gets old, does it? In case you’re searching for a slightly new spin on a vintage sound that keeps on giving, consider listening to Blue Sunshine Soul. BSS’s bluesy vocals, Stones-inspired guitar hooks and sweeping crescendos will inspire an MP3 downloading spree—all of the band’s music is available online, free of charge. Now that’s free love, 21st-century style. (JP)
Back from the Grave
Oh, the bitter tears I cried when local ambient/experimental group Ether disbanded, putting an end to multimedia performances replete with fire breathers and film projectors. In late 2007, I momentarily dried those bitter tears because a ghostly version of Ether came back from the grave and started performing again. For a minute. Rumor has it more Ether shows and possibly a new Ether album are in the works, so keep your eyes peeled for phantoms. (JP)
Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads
Running an all-ages music venue requires boundless energy, business sense and an exhaustive knowledge of music. When Kilby Court founder Phil Sherburne decided his tenure had come to an end, he knew that Lance Saunders and Will Sartain were the only people in town up to the challenge. So far, Kilby’s future appears bright, with plenty of local acts and touring luminaries such as Brother Ali, Beach House and Helio Sequence slated to take the stage in 2008. (JP)
David Lynch Would Be Proud
There’s nothing quite like being bathed in unrelenting noise while surrounded by books with titles like Raw Deal: Horrible Ironic Stories. Red Light Books—a bookstore that specializes in informative fringe reading—has become the home of a record label (Red Light Sound), the epicenter of Salt Lake City’s burgeoning noise scene, and an event space that hosts innovative underground touring bands. Now, all the place needs is Michael J. Anderson talking backwards. (JP)
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