Local hip-hop artists Pat Maine (aka Kinnetik), YZE and MC Pig Pen are currently on the road representing Utah's scene. While touring is considered somewhat of a given for SLC rockers, it's less common for emcees/DJs to take frequent out-of-state trips to promote their skills. Some say it's more difficult to book hip-hop shows and to jump on bills with rappers who are fiercely territorial. We'll be following the 4 O'Clock Shadow Tour and wish the threesome good luck. Check out the first update from sunny San Clemente, CA.

This is cool:

Philip Bimstein of Red Rock Rondo (and my favorite, Phil 'N' The Blanks) will be participating in this weekend's s

"The Rest is Noise: Language vs. Communication" at 9:30am-10:45am at the University of Utah Marriott Library, Room 1170 (which is one floor below the west entrance). The panel also includes biologist/bird song expert Franz Goller and poet/population geneticist Jon Wilkins.

We will discuss how communication takes place through sound, but with the line between meaningful sound and noise often seeming blurred. What does sound actually communicate? Do birds really "speak" to each other? Does noise have a place in music, or in literature?

The conference, which also takes place at SLC's Main Library, features other noteworthy speakers including mathematician Barry Mazur and composer Fred Lerdahl. It runs November 5-7. See the complete schedule here. Admission is free.

Several options to get you through the rest of this beautiful hump day:

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Sub Pop's Hardly Art imprint has made available (via Amazon.com) a 100% free digital label sampler, featuring a handful of new and unreleased songs in addition to favorites produced during its first three years including an early demo of the Dutchess & the Duke’s “Back to Me”, a stripped down / acoustic version of the Pica Beats’ “Poor Old Ra” and a live version of Arthur & Yu’s “Magic Mtn”

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Celebrate Election Day with a ping-pong tournament at Urban Lounge or watch as Spork (featuring City Weekly's most-sought after TV critic, Bill Frost, a man who nearly beat out Big John for a shot as Bret Michael's bodyguard) brings the rock to Club Vegas with Valient Thorr

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If you’re somewhere in your late 20’s to early 40’s, most likely you’re with 98% of the world where the first time you ever heard Nirvana was through the audio explosion that was “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and the inconceivable chart topper Nevermind. But while the band was being trumpeted as the dawning of a new age in rock and subsequently made the unofficial leaders of grunge, some fans were discovering that the trio actually had a prior album.

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This weekend, in between sessions writing my book, She's Just Not That Into Costumes - Deal With It, I'll be celebrating Halloween with some killer live shows. I suggest you do the same, whether you're dressed in sexy/silly/scary gear or not.

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Rounding out the last of the album releases for the month, Muse Music plays host to one last local tonight.

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Following an extended hiatus, downtown hot spots The Hotel and Elevate (155 W. 200 South) will re-open for business this Halloween weekend. The new owners fought their way through a mountain of red tape to organize Friday's kick-off celebration with Soundclash #22, featuring DJs Juggy, Finale, Handsome Hands, Jello, Crispy and Scarecrow. Saturday, the party continues with a Halloween-themed Haunted Hotel. Put some effort into your costume for a chance to win $1000 in cash and prizes. Now that's the way to stage a comeback.

Er, yesterday I mentioned that Queens-based Blues Control would be bringing their exploratory psych-rock to Kilby Court for the first of two Utah shows. Turns out both of those gigs are taking place tonight. Well, at least you didn't miss them! Tonight, they share the stage with Stag Hare and Kidneys at Kilby Court (741 S. 330 West) before joining SLC's mighty Super Buttery Muffins and Palace of Buddies at Urban Lounge. Check it out.

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