Buzz Blog

August looks as if it will be going through a dry spell itself, so aside from the couple of releases here and there, most of this month will probably be spent catching up. --- Like the latest from Raw Xtract that slipped through the cracks. At the end of last year, I highlighted her album eleven in a list of 10 that you should be checking out, and last March she threw this new album in under the radar: Toolbox. Very different approach to her previous efforts, with ambient music mixed to sound effects and recordings from various sources. Experimental doesn't even being to describe the 12-track experience, and my words won't do justice. Just check it out and see what you think.

Another that slipped by us was the latest from a Provo hip-hop group by the name of Apt. Made up of Adam Hochhalter and several contributing members in minor roles, the group has actually been active since 2005 but have only made subtle impacts on the community since their formation. Looking to revitalize hip-hop in Utah County, this single dropped back in June with rumors of a new album on the way. “Apt Is The New Nervous” hit Soundcloud to numerous downloads followed by this video from Urban Media Lab. Not a bad song, here's hoping there's more on the way!

Last week, we had a couple of release shows, but they came in last minute so we're playing catch-up. First one from the group Supersofar and their latest release, Soundtrack To A Movement. The group (seen above) have actually been around for a while, holding two albums and three EP's under their belt, the last being The Drama Club EP from 2008 that got some minor play on community radio. We're not really sure what's been happening with the SLC-based power rock group between then and now; in fact, this album was literally dropped off at the City Weekly's office with little hype beyond their Facebook page. If you're into the power-rock ballads that dominated most of the '00s, then this might just be up your alley.

Next on the docket are the Ogden experimental rock duo The Chevalier. Mainly playing the Ogden scene and dipping down into SLC on occasion, these guys have been together for five years honing their sound and going through several changes along the way. They've combined powerful near-scream vocals with a dingy indie sound, stretched out to long tracks with winding guitars and steady drums. Their debut release, Welcome To Hell Harvey, saw a release show at Kilby Court last Friday, but you can catch them tomorrow night at The Basement in Ogden for their hometown release. Playing alongside them will be Tribes, Ursa Oley, WeDropLikeBombs and Haven. $5 in advance, $7 at the door starting at 7 p.m..

Speaking of Kilby, that's where we'll see the other release show this coming week as we hear the latest from Static Survivor. This project has been in the works for some time as the backup project from Robby Poffenberger II, former singer/songwriter of the Tooele-based rock group WhatWentWrong. Poffenberger apparently decided to go solo under this new title that he's has in mind for years, and released an acoustic EP titled The Last Catastrophe earlier this year. If you liked his previous band, you'll probably like this, as shades of his former music hang over each track, upbeat rock with a slight twinge of emo to the side. But hey, the kid's young, so we'll cut him a break as he's still cutting his teeth. You can catch him this Tuesday at Kilby Court holding a release show for his latest album: Shatterbelt. We don't know who else is playing or how much as Kilby hasn't updated their Website yet, but we know it starts at 7 p.m..

Head out, love music, buy local!