Buzz Blog

Looking through the final week of April, we've got some awesome local albums for you to listen to and a couple of release shows you should probably attend. We'll start with the online releases and the first one up is Aspen Grove. This is a six-piece alternative group who you might remember better as Archeopteryx but changed their name last year for who knows what reason. In The Shade is their group's first EP, it's only three tracks but an impressive three tracks that show great versatility. You can download the album absolutely free on Bandcamp.


While we're talking alternative, we have the latest release from Let's Become Actors. This is a little bit of a surprise considering the band hasn't truly been active since 2008, back when it was a four-piece playing Kilby Court and Urban Lounge on a regular basis. The current incarnation features Michael Gross and Matt Glass, their latest EP Nothing Is Real was recorded over the course of five days with the two musicians living in different cities. Basically, they recorded the music through online connections 700 miles apart and finalized it in short order. It sounds damn good for an online album, definitely worth at least checking out. You can download it for free on their Bandcamp page.


Moving to more hardcore music, this week saw the debut release from Team Dead. This is a four-piece SLC group consisting of Chris Clement, Sean Miller, Jason Weidauer and Matt Wigham. From what few tracks are available online, this album titled Whale Bones In Tin Foil is a straight-up barrage of math rock and metal, like getting pelted with audio-hail, a must-listen for any metal fan. You can buy the album for $6 digitally, or spend the full $10 to get a vinyl copy, both via their official website. 


Sticking to metal, we have the latest from Goatsifter. A badass hardcore/punk band out of SLC, this four-piece has some of the loudest and most proficient players you'll find. They've been kind of touch-and-go over the past year and a half, but it looks like they're making a comeback in a big way with live shows. This week the released a five-track EP called Demos, which clearly sounds like they were recorded in a couple quick studio sessions. You can download it for free on Bandcamp.


Switching to more of the thrash side of things, we have the latest from Deathblow! According to their own social media, the band has shrunk from 4 to 3 members since the release of their last full-length album, Prognosis Negative, which came out in January of 2014. The Other Side Of Darkness is their follow-up EP to that album, which has a heavier tone to the last, as well as a faster pace. You can download it off of their Bandcamp page for whatever you'd like to pay.


Changing to reggae, we have the debut album from Makisi. If the name doesn't ring a bell, you might want to question how often you get out to shows, as Makisi is a constant opening act for tons of national shows every year. Just in performing alone he;s become a respected name in the community. His debut release, Famili The EP, has a ton of soul behind it and feels like a genuine reggae album rather than someone who rehashed the genre. In its first week it already hit #14 on the iTunes reggae charts. You can download it for a mere $5 on Bandcamp.


Moving into electronic, we have the latest from Sean McDonald, an SLC-based electronica artist who has been busting his ass on the DJ circuit. The last time we talked about him was back in September of 2014 when he released his debut full-length album, Ashvattha. His latest EP, Thrall, is a lot more etherial and less dance compared to his previous release but serves more as a prelude to his next full-length due out sometime later this year. In the meantime, you can snag this EP for $7 on his Bandcamp.


Winding down the online releases, we have a debut album from two new electronic producers: UTA Trax and Burnin'. Both men have signed onto Hel Audio as the latest additions of local talent to join their ranks. Neither men have any social media at the moment, but their self-titled split album says more than Facebook could as the pair have an impressive set of beats. You can download the digital version for $5, or throw in an extra $1 for the cassette copy on Bandcamp.


Getting to release shows, we have two for you this weekend, the first comes from SLC experimental rock band The Moths. A longtime project of guitarist Eli Morrison (Vile Blue Shades, Pink Lightnin'), the band were around in various incarnations over the years but didn't have a solid release until 2013 with their self-titled EP. Now in their current form (with members Michael Sasich, Josh Dickson, Greg Midgely and Weston Wulle), the band have a new EP titled Necromancy: Rock - n - Roll that sounds very badass. You can read more about them in City Weekly this week from the words of Jamie Gadette, then you can snag physical copies (and trust me, you'll want physical copies), tonight at Urban Lounge at their release show. ST 37 will be opening while The Moths will be playing with touring group Acid Mothers Temple. Tickets are $8 and the show starts at 9 p.m.


Finally, tomorrow night we'll see the latest release from The Spencer Nielsen Band. Along with Vito Perry and Anthony Perry, Nielsen has formed this blues band that's been going strong the past couple years. While Nielson himself already has a catalog of solo works, Mellow Rotten Music will be the first album with the trio. You can snag a copy of this one at The Royal on Saturday night for their release show, with Cub World and Swinging Lights opening the show. Tickets are just $5 and the show starts at 8 p.m.


Love music, head out, buy local!