Live: Music Picks Aug. 15-21 

THURSDAY AUG. 15

Blueprint & Illogic
An underrated emcee from an underrated city, Blueprint is part of a long list of influential mid-2000s rap acts hailing from the Midwest capital of Columbus, Ohio. For a spell, Columbus was exploding with raw talent and was home turf for underground legends like Copywrite, J. Rawls and, of course, the other half of Blueprint’s Greenhouse, producer and emcee Illogic. But besides RJD2 (who teamed up with Blueprint for two albums under the moniker Soul Position), very few Columbus artists have done anything of substantial magnitude. It’s tough to pinpoint why this is; Blueprint is a master lyricist and arguably one of the best rappers from the Midwest underground. On Illogic’s 2000 album, Unforeseen Shadows, he jumps in on the track “Favorite Things,” (sampled from The Sound of Music) and explains what he appreciates most about good hip-hop: “When somebody I don’t know gives me compliments/ Seeing humbleness replace overconfidence/ Hearin’ emcees that rap about the consequence/ Instead of glorifyin’ a lifestyle that lacks any type of common sense.” Dumb Luck and Dine Krew are also on the bill. (Colin Wolf)
The Project, 258 W. 700 South, 6 p.m. $8 in advance, $10 day of show

Twilight Concert Series: Ludacris
He’s got one of the most recognizable voices in mainstream rap, but when you think of a Ludacris track, the first to come to mind might be one of his many guest vocals, like that unforgettable line “We want a lady in the street but a freak in the bed” from Usher’s mega-hit “Yeah.” The Dirty South rapper’s comedic, tongue-in-cheek rhymes and energetic announcement of his arrival—“Luda!”—make a good club-banger better, but his forthcoming album, Ludaversal, promises to be a more introspective look into Christopher Bridges’ world, including his father’s 2007 death from diabetes following a life of alcohol addiction. Though Twilight-goers are sure to hear some new tracks, the Grammy-winner’s reputation as one of the best live rap shows is built both on his solid voice and his love for Luda classics like “Splash Waterfalls,” “Area Codes” and “How Low.” Fellow Atlantans Two-9 will start things off. (Rachel Piper)
Pioneer Park, 300 S. 300 West, 7 p.m., $5

Drag the River
Before this Fort Collins, Colo.-based alt-country trio releases a new full-length this fall, they have two 7-inch vinyl releases in the lineup, the first of which, Hometown Caravan Fishing Club (Hometown Caravan Records), came out this month. The band self-deprecatingly says Fishing Club was “written and recorded on the spot, for our buddies who were starting a fishing show. The show never happened, but they are still buddies, they still fish and the songs are just OK.” It makes sense that Drag the River would create a fishing-themed album, since their songs typically deal with emotional topics you’d bring up with only a best friend, with only the water and trees to overhear. This warm, perfectly twangy Americana, with handsomely husky vocals, will tug on your heart in the best way. Lorin Madsen and the Utah County Swillers are also on the bill. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 8 p.m., $10

Hot Buttered Rum
Just like the beverage, the band Hot Buttered Rum is the perfect combination of spirits and sweetness—and they don’t hold back on the refills. This California-based string band will intoxicate you with its unique bluegrass melodies. The five band members craft their lyrics from their cross-country exploits together and come up with original songs like “Limbs Akimbo” and “Something New.” They even reinvent songs from Hank Williams and The Beatles to transform them, too, into “something new.” Hot Buttered Rum is sure to melt your heart. Tickets must be purchased in advance at MountainTownMusic.org; location will be revealed after attendees RSVP. (Courtney Tanner)
Mountain Home Concert Series, Park City, 7:30 p.m., $20

TUESDAY AUG. 20

John Prine
If you feel like you’re stuck in a job that’s not using any of your awesome skills, take heart: Lots of influential people had to take on less-than-stellar day jobs before finding their true calling or getting their big break. For example, Ozzy Osbourne used to worked in a slaughterhouse (good luck not having nightmares), Allen Ginsberg worked as a dishwasher, Whoopi Goldberg was a makeup artist in a funeral parlor, and legendary country singer and guitarist John Prine worked as a mailman in the Chicago suburb of Maywood. While he was trudging through snow and dealing with bloodthirsty dogs, Prine occupied his mind by writing songs. “I always likened the mail route to a library with no books,” Prine says. “I passed the time each day making up these little ditties.” The Singing Mailman Delivers, released in 2011, pays homage to those early days, as an archive of some of the earliest recordings of classics like “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” and “Illegal Smile.” Johnnyswim opens the show. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, 7:30 p.m., $35-$50

Danzig
Here’s some trivia about Misfits/Danzig/Samhain frontman Glenn Danzig: 1. He made a funny guest appearance as himself on Aqua Teen Hunger Force (“Is there a way to get the blood to flow up the walls?”). 2. He told rock website The Quietus that he thinks Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is “one of the greatest songs ever written.” 3. He’s a shorty. Seriously. At 5-feet-4-inches, he’s shorter than I am. Which brings us to … 5. He was invited to audition for the part of Wolverine in the X-Men movies, since his short and muscular physique resembles the comic-book Wolverine, but turned it down. In celebration of 25 years of Danzig (the New Jersey goth-metal band, not the angry dude) melting faces, the band will share the stage with ex-Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein. Scar the Martyr and Huntress will start the show. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
The Great Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna, 7:30 p.m., $23 in advance, $27 day of show

Filligar
You know you must really rock when the U.S. State Department sends you to Azerbaijan to represent American culture. In addition to being cultural ambassadors this summer, bluesy rock & roll quartet Filligar just started its summer tour and recently released its cleverly named sixth album, Hexagon. It’s chock-full of loud, in-your-face tracks that make you want to crank up the volume. Nearly all of the songs have stomping beats and intricate harmonies with big guitar riffs as well, and Johnny Mathias’ voice has a certain raspiness that perfectly complements the music. “The Thrill” is one of the album’s most exciting tracks; it will get your heart racing and your fist pumping. Torches open the show. (Renee Estrada)
Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 7 p.m., $8

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