Slug Magazine

Things get a little weird when Brian Staker stops by the Soundwaves studio, and Jeffrey Steadman from Yelp checks in to give us the scoop on “awkward” restaurants in the Salt Lake area. We also listen to music from Staker’s band, Get Stakerized! and new local, solo artist Magic Mint. - SLUG writer and host of podcast The Awkward Hour, Brian Staker, speaks with host Dan Nailen about the upcoming Awkward Fest. A celebration of the Awkward Hour’s 6th anniversary and all things socially inept, the event will bring together a collection of Salt Lake City’s art, performance and entertainment personalities. - Brian Staker is not only a master of the ungainly he also performs bluesy, 1990s rock under the moniker, Get Stakerized! Listen in as we check out “Dying By Degrees.” - Local musician Andrew Shaw, who you may know from such local groups as The Platte and Color Animal, has most recently pursued a solo music project as Magic Mint. His debut release, Grand America, is a la

SLUG was represented at SXSW by our own Angela H. Brown, Alexander Ortega, Cody Kirkland and Joshua Joye. This fearless troop took a few opportunities to get away from the chaos in Austin, Texas and record a bonus episode of Soundwaves, so that they could give insight into the madness and music they witnessed. Along with bacon-wrapped hot dogs, killer beer and visits from Utah musicians, including David Johnson of Max Pain and The Groovies, the SXSW team recount their most memorable, and least favorite, parts of the weeklong music festival. … read more The post SLUG Messes With Texas first appeared on SLUG Magazine.

SXSW has come and gone, leaving a wake of plastic cups, panties and music dreams in the streets of Austin, Texas. Local bands Polytype and Moneypenny were there for the action, so SLUG speaks to them about their time and experiences there. We hear music from Polytpe’s debut album, as well as Moneypenny’s 2013 release. - Polytype has been through a lot since it’s formation in 2011: releasing a debut album, signing to a label and going through a line-up change all while continuing to play live. Since coming back from the show-ravaged state of Texas, Mason Porter, a member of the local electronic/indie band was able to chat with SLUG about the group’s experience at SXSW. We also listen to “Coinflip” from their debut, Basic // Complex. - Moneypenny are a pop-punk band based out of both Utah and California. The band has been pumping out positive, upbeat and catchy jams since 2006 and just this year released their newest, a self-titled album. Their song “Below The Surface&

This week we’re checking out the serious legislative activity that has been going on in Utah and has been receiving nationwide attention. We speak with members of the Capital 13 and LGBT activist, Babs De Lay about the current state of gay rights here in Utah and the effect on the LGBTQ community. We hear music from Salt Lake City’s “freakshow soul-funk” group, La Femme Medea. - On February 10th 2014, 13 community members supporting senate bill SB-100, blocked entrances to government meetings and demanded that the bill be discussed and voted on, rather than passed off without a second thought. These 13 people were later arrested and taken to jail for their efforts, and we at SLUG needed to know more, so we spoke with three members of the Capital 13 to discuss what happened that day. - The Femme Medea may only have three members, but what they don’t have in numbers they make up for with their incredible sound: a gender-bending play on epic soul and folk music with beautiful v

With the winter fleeting and seasons beginning to change, SLUG is trying to take advantage of the snow while it's still here! On this episode of SLUG Soundwaves we sit down with local snowboard pro, Chris Frost and speak with an organization that is dedicated to getting women into skiing and giving them the proper training. We listen to some snow-themed tracks along the way from locals Mkaio and Cathy Foy. - The mountains of Utah call to the souls of many snowboarders and Chris Frost, a former Minnesota resident and current snowboarding professional, is no exception. SLUG sat down with Frost to discuss his start in the Utah snow industry at Brighton Resort and the future of his career. - Mkaio began creating soundscapes in 2009 and released his first full-length in 2012. It’s hard to pin down his musical genre as he has dabbled in styles such as shoegaze, chillwave and ambient. Listen to the chill, electronic piece “Snow” from his 2013 release, Stars. - A veteran of the Salt L

We can’t rage all the time, so this week we’re going for some easy listening. We speak with local folk musician Joshua James and co-founder of Northplatte Records, McKay Stevens. We hear music from James’ newest studio album and fellow label-mates, Desert Noises. - Since his first release in 2006, Joshua James has been swooning people all over the country with his take on Americana. With five full-length albums under his belt, this juggernaut of folk doesn’t show any signs of retiring his voice or instruments anytime soon. SLUG recently spoke with James to pick his brain and find out what he has in the works. - Subtle, soft and quiet only scratch the surface when describing the musical stylings of American Fork-based artist Joshua James. Check out the track “Styrofoam Boots” from his newest release, Well, Then, I’ll Go To Hell. - Hailing from Provo, Desert Noises are an indie rock band who have been very busy since releasing their full-length album, Mou

On episode 139 of SLUG Soundwaves, Jeffrey from Yelp digs up the best places to get dinner and what movies to see after. We also hear from local bands The Hung Ups and S.L.F.M. - Yelp’s, Jeffrey Steadman, has more tricks up his sleeve for Soundwaves listeners. Host Dan Nailen chats with the internet-knowledge guru and finds out the best places to grab satisfying and delicious local dinner fare. - Fast and furious, The Hung Ups are a three-piece punk band who have been releasing music every year since forming in 2009. Digging into their anthology, we listen to the track “Crisis At The Pizza Store” off of their 2010 self-titled album. - Dreamy, whimsical and gentle are only a few words that describe the ukulele punk/pop that is S.L.F.M. Jessica Davis, the voice and mind behind the music project, is currently wowing audiences on her nation wide tour to promote her latest album. We listen to “If We Died In The Movies” off of her 2011 release, The Kissing Party. - SLUG&

At SLUG we try not to take things too seriously, so on this episode of Soundwaves we speak with stand up comedians Jay Whittaker and Jonny Brandin about their careers and the comedy scene in SLC. Along the way we hear music from Provo-based hip hop artist, Chance Lewis. - Inspired by the loss of a close friend, Jay Whittaker took up stand up comedy using Salt Lake City as his home base. Our host Dan Nailen chats with Jay about his history with comedy and show business, daily inspirations and the budding comic scene here in Utah. - Uplifting and honest, Chance Lewis challenges the norm with careful use of his words and a firm grip on the craft of sarcasm. His track “Life’s A Joke” reminds us that maybe we shouldn’t take our everyday bullshit so seriously. - Starting his career in Las Vegas as a street performer, Jonny Brandin most recently made Salt Lake City his home. Jonny’s shows are often wild and unpredictable and in his interview with our host, divulges that h

 We seem to be running with a liquor theme here on Soundwaves, but we’re sure you don’t mind. On Episode 137 we chat with a local wine maker, listen to some boozy tunes and find out the best places to buy and indulge in fermented grape beverage here in Salt Lake City. - When he isn’t serving the patrons of Pago, Evan Lewandowski is hard at work perfecting the craft of winemaking. Evan tells us about his effort to keep natural ingredients a part of his blends and even has plans to start his own vineyard here in Utah. - With southern twangs and heartfelt lyrics, The North Valley paint a picture of hard times and perseverance in modern times. Listen to the their track “Drink Alone” on this episode of Soundwaves. - Brothers Jantzen, Chase and Weston make up the group Golden Sun, whose blend of alternative rock has been creeping its way into some big places the passed few years. Featured on this episode of Soundwaves is the title track from their 2011 release, 

On this episode of Soundwaves we speak with the local artist responsible for the cover of this month’s issue, chat with a member of MakingFuck about music and hear tunes from local bands that will be playing SLUG’s 25th Anniversary Party. - Sean Hennefer is a local musician turned artist whose creativity produced the cover for SLUG’s 25th Anniversary Issue. He discusses the inspiration behind his oil painting “The Great Catsby” and the blossoming art scene here in Salt Lake City. Check out Sean’s work by picking up the newest issue of SLUG any place cool! - Visigoth are a local, 5-piece band of epic proportions whose brand of heavy metal is fast, loud and reminiscent of power ballads from the 1980s. “Creature Of Desire” is sure to have you headbanging and hairi-caining. - Like a shotgun blast to the face, The Obliterate Plague has been splattering skull fragments and brain matter with heavy blastbeats, unrelenting guitar riffs and satanic vocals since 1999. Thei

Film Festival season has already come and gone. Were you lucky enough to make it to a premiere? If you missed out it’s okay, SLUG was at both Slamdance and Sundance to give you scathing opinions on upcoming films and educated insight into what was worth a damn on episode 135 of Soundwaves. - Slamdance is a smaller festival with an intimate feel, providing independent filmmakers the chance premiere their work to other independent filmmakers. SLUG Editorial Assistant Alexander Ortega and Senior Writer John Ford discuss their favorites from the weeklong film gala. - The Devil Makes Three recently passed through to play shows in Salt Lake and the Sundance Film Festival. Check out their song “Worse or Better” on this episode of Soundwaves! - 20,000 Days on Earth gives you a look into a day of the iconic alternative rock star, Nick Cave. Using voice-overs, live performances and sessions from his home, filmmakers were able to create a story about Cave’s creative process. Listen to t

On episode 134 of Soundwaves from the Underground, SLUG chats with local and distant illustrators to find out exactly what inspires them and what kind of careers are available to cartoonists. - Often dealing with romance and bad luck, Liz Prince has a way of relating to readers through her comics. Her newest book, Alone Forever, deals with love, relationships, their eventual demise and the other problems that we, as humans, are bound to face. - Dave Chisholm is both a comic book artist and an experienced musician. He was the mind behind “Let’s Go To Utah,” and since leaving the Beehive State to pursue higher education in New York, has collaborated with several groups. Last year Dave released an album with his jazz band, Colossus. Check out the track “Science Adventure” from their self-titled release on this episode of Soundwaves. - Never one to limit himself to only a single form of expression, Dave Chisholm also releases music as a self-titled composer. This blend of jazz is mor

When dealing with a climate which can only be described as bi-polar there are two things that are essential: food and liquor. Our local food and drink gurus grace us with their presence and share the best places to drink and eat away your seasonal depression on episode 133 of SLUG Soundwaves. - With 85+ sushi joints in the valley, tracking down the best can be a daunting task but thankfully, we have Jeffery from Yelp to do all the hard work for us.  Jeffery knows where to find the tastiest and freshest raw fish dishes here in Salt Lake and we were lucky enough to have him stop by the studio to impart his food-wisdom upon us. - Tolchock Trio, contradictory to their name, were a local four piece who in their 13 years saw a lot of line up changes but managed to break the “Salt Lake Curse” and remain together after gaining popularity. Each member continues to please the Salt Lake masses through a different medium these days as they are all working in the local food industry at fine esta

 Episode 132 of SLUG Soundwaves covers everyone’s favorite beverage: LIQUOR. Dan chats with the proprietors of a new distillery and a new bar found here in Salt Lake City, and we even jam out with some firewater-themed tunes from a couple Utah-local bands. - James Fowler had always been an avid home brewer and decided that if he could make a tasty beer, why not try his hand at whiskey? After studying the art of the still, he enlisted the help of seasoned distiller and liquor master Dan Feldman and got the ball rolling on his grand vision. - The Utah County Swillers are a bunch of good ol’ boys looking for a good time. This “trucker punk” band hails from Springville and aren’t afraid to refer to themselves as hillbillies, but don’t try and act up, these dudes are full of booze and looking to hand out an ass woopin’.  Check out their track “Liquor Store” on this week’s episode of Soundwaves. - Thunderfist started up about 15 ye

Soundwaves is back for 2014 with Episode 131. Strap in for another year of podcastin’ with host Dan Nailen and your crew from SLUG Magazine. - The Hopscotch Outreach Arts Foundation have invested their time and effort in the youth of Salt Lake City by offering classes in dance, film, writing and many other forms of alternative art. Founders Monica da Silva and Frazier Tedford explain the importance of educating our youth in these forms of expression while providing a friendly, nurturing atmosphere where kids can engage their creative side and turn their passion into life long skills. - Die Off is a brand new 3 piece that formed over the summer of 2013. Keep your eyes out for these new comers who released a demo back in October, their brand of hardcore is heavy and bouncy with a kiss of southern rock and is nothing short of what you need to act a fool in the pit, brah. - Baby Gurl sounds like they were methodically pieced together in a laboratory, before being raised up high into a tumul

For those of you who would like to hear all of our picks from Episode #130 (SLUG Staff's 2013 Local Music Picks), here are all six tracks chosen by the editorial staff, our show's producer and host. … read more The post Episode #130-B: Our Songs From 2013 first appeared on SLUG Magazine.

 Dan invites five of our rad SLUG staffers into the studio to find out what local bands they have been listening to this year in Salt Lake City’s music scene with a Local Music Roundtable on Episode 130 of SLUG Soundwaves. - Light/Black are a four-piece alternative rock band that formed in April of 2012 and have had our Editor in Chief, Angela Brown swooning ever since. Ethereal vocals and heavy guitar mixed with slow, pounding drums create a humble, spiraling, doom-laden sound that dares to rival the tones of stoner-metal bands from the 90s. - The Pentagraham Crackers are a group of seasoned Salt Lake music scene veterans and their years of combined experience would explain why they have been able to capture such a wonderful sound with their music. These gentlemen put forth sounds like they are from parallel universe where summer never ends and the beer never dries up and that is exactly the kind of place you could find our Digital Content Coordinator, Cody Kirkland. - With so many bands and group

The snow is still falling outside, so put a little rum in your ‘nog and let Dan Nailen and our guests keep you company with Episode 129 of Soundwaves.  - Even as a young, East Coast greenhorn Cam Pierce wanted to go pro and now that he’s made it he is still driven to learn more and continually evolve as a snowboarder.  Cam shares his story and explains why he doesn’t like to stick to a certain style, but prefers to dabble in the many outlets that the industry has presented him with. - At first you might ask, “What in the fuck are the Rotten Musicians talking about?” Science, video games and other concepts, baby girl. This three-piece nerd rap group will instill knowledge via hot fire spit from their educated lips over funky, philosophical beats in their track “eGGsheLLs” on Episode 129 of Soundwaves. - Hip-hop musicians, lyricists and rhymers have been a part of the Mic Masters Alliance since its establishment in September of 2011. This group

The winter is only getting colder as the season stretches on. So while you’re retreating indoors, why not cozy up with our cuddly host Dan Nailen and Episode 128 of Soundwaves From The Underground?  - David Fetzer was an actor, writer and musician whose passing away left not only a void in the hearts of his family and friends but also in the Salt Lake community. David’s mother, Betsey Ross, speaks about David and The Davey Foundation, which helps make artistic grants possible for aspiring artists under the age of 35. - Created in the dust and desert of Moab, Cornered By Zombies are a local two-piece that found a new home in Salt Lake City. These two will thrash their way into your hearts and make it pump the life-blood that is epic, on-point instrumental metal on this week of Soundwaves. - Cookies, cakes and pies, oh shit! Jeffrey from Yelp is back to tell us where you can find the most decadent and delicious snacks, breads and other baked goods to satisfy your holiday treat needs a

Dan is back! No need to fret any longer, let his soothing, sensual voice take you on a voyage through this episode of Soundwaves From The Undergound. - The Hive Collection is a group that understands the power of collaboration and have decided to embrace it fully. DJ Decay speaks about this melting pot of filmmakers, DJs, programmers and other electronic and visual entertainers and the performances they have been creating for Salt Lake’s event goers. - Dirty, gritty, lo-fi, blown out and dark only scratches the surface when describing Fossil Arms. This local music duo creates fuzzy, desolate tracks that are teeming with emotion and are guaranteed to have you and your friends gazing at the floor at the next house party/show. - Ryan Hudson says that “snowboarding is an internal battle, progression is all internal.” Ryan shares how he grew up living in severe poverty on the streets of San Diego until he was introduced to the mountains through a youth actions sports program. Since then he moved