SLUG Mag Soundwaves

In this episode, SLUG Managing Editor Alexander Ortega plays tracks from each album on his year-end top-albums list. SLUG published genre-based lists this year, and Ortega wrote about the “Top 5 Teary-Eyed Power Pop Albums” of 2015 for the December ’15 Top 5 Albums Issue. Notably, 2015 felt full of power pop, and we want to give you a taste of this veritable feast in this episode. The power pop albums in this list consist of Young Guv’s Ripe 4 Luv, Dick Diver’s Melbourne, Florida, Warm Soda’s Symbolic Dream, EZTV’s Calling Out and Nic Hessler’s Soft Connections:   Young Guv’s title track, “Ripe 4 Love,” casts a spell over listeners via frontman Ben Cook’s high-pitched, dulcet vocals. This track’s chorus may be the trick for a dance with the apple of your eye, as Prince-like groove shakes things up. Ripe 4 Luv stands as the most experimental power pop offering of this year.   Melbourne, Florida hit the scene on more of an indie pop beat compared to the other power pop albums. “Waste the Alphabet,” however, is definitely more on the power pop end of Dick Diver’s third album. Bask in the jangle that Dick Diver offer in this track.   “I Wanna Go Fast” recalls The Strokes in the best of ways on Warm Soda’s Symbolic Dream. The track kicks out a lo-fi rock n’ roll feel with slick, half-sung vocals, and the guitars radiate with electricity.   EZTV’s “Pretty Torn Up” speeds things up on Calling Out. The backbeat’s ostinato allows the guitars to do whatever the hell they can to serve the track, and singer Ezra Tenenbaum delivers bittersweet feels in the song and throughout the debut.   Nic Hessler: slayin’ it. “Soon You’ll See, Kristine” exhibits songwriting akin to Morrissey, but Hessler’s vocals distinguish him as a force to be reckoned with. This track is the climax to an album with bold and dynamic instrumentation.   Here’s to hoping for copious amounts of good power pop albums in 2016! For a mid-tempo rock n’ roll listening experience, put this “Top 5” list in your ears.

In this episode, Henry Glasheen checks in with Chris Corry of Magic Circle. Corry talks about the history of the band, their new album, Journey Blind, and the doom bands that inspire their music. Magic Circle have been ripping up the stereos of metalheads across the nation since the release of their 2012 demo, and they don’t intend to stop now. Hailing from Boston and wielding the might and fury of classic riffs, this five-piece outfit is stirring up some serious interest among the heavy metal faithful. Their self-titled debut dropped like a 400-ton slab of pure, hard-rockin’ doom metal back in 2013. Now, with the release of Journey Blind, Magic Circle have pushed further into the raucous realms of rock n’ roll. None of these guys are strangers to the stage, but it’s their impressive punk rock pedigrees that set them apart from your average band of metal warriors. Hailing from bands such as Battle Ruins, Mind Eraser, No Tolerance and Prisoner Abuse, the members of Magic Circle have spent much of their careers creating solid tunes in the Boston area. However, their entry into the Book of Heavy Metal is nothing less than the genuine article—if anything, their music is tempered and improved by the restless passion of their punk backgrounds.   Magic Circle have carved out a strong underground following for themselves among those who love their music loud and true. If you’re a fan of the band, or just looking for some great new tunes, check out this edition of SLUG Soundwaves!

Before the band Fuzz heads into SLC for their latest gig, SLUG writer Nic Smith chats with Charles Moothart about their latest album and their music style.

On this week's episode, SLUG's Managing Editor, Alexander Ortega, sits down with Sam Rodriguez of SLC band Discoid A to talk about Noise Punk Halloween happening at The Underground next weekend.

The Wasatch Arts & Comic Fest (WAC Fest) will be hosting an event at Muse Music on October 17. SLUG writer Taylor Hoffman talks on the phone with artist Jess Smart Smiley about the festival and bringing up the comics community in Utah.

On this week's episode, SLUG Senior Staff Writer Mariah Mellus chats with the directors of two local galleries: CUAC and UMOCA.

This week, SLUG contributor Ryan Michael Painter sits down with Provo-based darkwave synth-pop band New Shack about their new album, as well as listen to a few tracks from their release.

On this week's podcast, SLUG writer Amanda Rock sat down with the Eat Local Week Program Manager, Adrienne Tuerpe, ​and the director of Slow Food Utah, Gwen Crist, to talk about all the events happening during Eat Local Week!

On this week's episode, SLUG writer Amanda Rock sits down with The Beer Professor, Bob Trewartha, about his experience with homebrewing and the efforts he's made in promoting local beers.

In this week's episode, SLUG writer Brian Udall chats with the editors of two local journals: Saltfront and Peculiar.

This week, SLUG columnist Mike Brown previews the upcoming 2015-16 Utah Jazz season, along with SLC musician Peter Makowski (La Verkin, Accidente, Form Of Rocket) sharing their gripes and hopes.

On this week's episode, we explore two galleries making an impact in Salt Lake City just before Gallery Stroll: Mod A Go Go and Guerrilla Gallery.

Part 2 of our Crafty Lake City DIY Festival preview happens this week, with interviews from participating crafters Salt City Lamp Works and Velo City Bags.

We preview Craft Lake City's DIY Festival with the first of two episodes. This week, Big Wild Wings drop by the studio, followed by music from Bullets & Belles.

This week we preview two upcoming summer events. SLUG Senior Writer, Mariah Mellus, talks with Dannielle Moriondo from Great Salt Lake Fringe, and SLUG writer Mike Riedel chats with Jamie Burnham of The Beer Nut about the 6th Annual Beehive Brew-Off.