City Weekly July 17, 2025

the LOCAL

MUSIC

ISSUE ISSUE

A deep dive into the people and places of Utah's music scene.

BY CW STAFF

SLC FORECAST

S AP

BOX

Democracy Under Attack

Let’s start with the law, because the slow unraveling of democracy isn’t always a coup with tanks and rifles.

Sometimes, it’s a court case—or three.

In 1962, Baker v. Carr cracked open the door. The Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could step into the “political thicket” of redistricting. That was the moment judicial power entered the bloodstream of American electoral politics.

Eight years later, the door was off of its hinges.

Then came Bush v. Gore in 2000. Seven unelected judges (yes, seven, not eight— one recused himself) effectively picked the president. It was a one-time-only decision, they told us. No precedent, no problem. The court that had once said it should stay out of political questions now decided the presidency itself.

Ten years later, Citizens United threw open the floodgates to dark money. Corporations could now spend unlimited amounts in elections under the guise of “free speech.” All of this would be troubling enough in a pure democracy. But we don’t have one.

We have an Electoral College—a system that gives outsized power to just a handful of states. You only need 270 electoral votes to win. Here’s how you get there with just 11 states: California (55 electoral votes); Texas (38); Florida (30); New York (29); Pennsylvania (19); Illinois (19); Ohio (17); Michigan (15); Georgia (16); North Carolina (16); New Jersey (14).

Add that up: 268 votes. Throw in D.C. or New Hampshire, and you’re done. That’s 195 million people deciding for 330 million. The rest of the country becomes a backdrop—stage dressing in a democracy-shaped play.

Now let’s talk about game theory. Remember A Beautiful Mind, the movie about John Nash and the math of human behavior? At the center is the Nash Equilibrium—the idea that if you know someone’s preferences, you can manipulate the outcome.

Here’s a trivial example: It’s Monday, and I know my girlfriend wants to watch reality TV. I suggest we watch golf. She recoils. “Anything but that!” she says. We settle on Rick and Morty, which was what I wanted all along.

That’s how strategy works. That’s how politics works. And billionaires? They’ve figured it out.

Take Elon Musk. His net worth is around $400 billion (give or take a Twitter tantrum). If he stops posting

memes and buys government bonds at a 4.5% yield, he’s pocketing $18 billion a year—for doing nothing.

Now look at this: all Senate candidates in the 2022 cycle raised a combined $195 million. Musk could fund that entire group 92 times over with just his passive income.

Read that again. Democracy is a highstakes game with billionaires holding all the chips—and they know the rules better than you do.

We’re in the endgame of a system that was never really built for equality in the first place. The courts opened the door. The money walked in. And the rest of us? We’re left voting in a system that was designed to be gamed.

BRENDAN RYAN Salt Lake City

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THE WATER COOLER

If you could go back in time and see ONE concert, who would it be?

Scott Renshaw

I hear that Wolfgang Mozart fella put on a hell of a show in his day ...

Krista Maggard

The Beatles at their last public performance on the rooftop of Apple Corps in 1969 London—what a time to be alive.

Carolyn Campbell

I would go back to a particular Vanilla Fudge concert at the Terrace downtown. That night, Led Zeppelin was Vanilla Fudge’s warmup group. After Led Zeppelin performed, there was a long wait for the concert to begin. It was as if Vanilla Fudge didn’t want to be compared to Led Zeppelin.

Paula Saltas

I would have loved to have seen Michael Jackson perform. He was my favorite at the Superbowl halftime show, but seeing him live would have been a great experience.

Benjamin Wood

It would be fun to go back and relive the Rage Against the Machine concert that made Spanish Fork tear itself apart, or maybe find that apocryphal U2 concert where Bono was booed off stage and (allegedly) swore he’d never perform in Utah again.

PRIVATE EYE

BY JOHN SALTAS

I Do Declare

Iwas out of town last week for the annual gathering of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN) in Madison, Wisconsin. I like Madison, having visited several times, and simply find it to be a very nice capital city. My only gripe is that while I should be amazed at the number of uses for that fine Wisconsin cheese, I’m quite the opposite. Curds on fries, under poutine and sausage gravy, simply no longer fits my regimen.

The conference was held at the Edgewater Hotel, on the shoreline of Lake Mendota. It was a wonderful setting and I couldn’t help but marvel that the citizens of Wisconsin are so good at praying that their many lakes are full and the surrounding green countryside is so lush.

Were it so that the prayers beckoned by our own Gov. Spencer Cox would bear such fruit. As it is, our prayers just begat minor ditch overflowing, here and there. It appears to me that Cox should pay a visit to Madison so he can see firsthand what praying for rain can do, besides providing relief for alfalfa farmers like himself.

I hadn’t been to an AAN conference in many years, despite Salt Lake City having twice hosted the gathering and despite having been to around 50 AAN functions or so. Prior AAN conventions—as my son Pete noted during a presentation he made in Madison—literally substituted as our family vacations since the first one I attended in 1990 in Denver.

Not every city we visited had rides, however, so the kids had to make do by listening to Elvis music in Memphis, trying to spot Ringo while he celebrated at our hotel in Phoenix, or watching naked people mope around in San

Francisco. I like to say that such experiences are why my kids are normal.

I’m happy I went. I regard so many AAN associates as my best pals—as we share scars, tears and laughs—but the gang is not nearly so numerous as it once was. Far too many are dead, have left the industry or, sadly, lost their beloved newspapers to a changing media landscape.

There were still a good many of my now-greying friends in attendance, however, and I was pleasantly introduced to the next generation of younger publishers and truth stewards, who I’m sure will carry the torch of journalism onward.

Some of you think print is dead, or that the media can’t be trusted. If that is you, then there’s but one thing to say: Get off your lazy ass and figure it out for yourself.

You are doomed without a robust and free press. Social media doesn’t cut it, memes don’t cut it. Trusting only one news source or one angle doesn’t cut it. Trusting the politicians who deliver their self-aggrandizing agendas to a non-questioning public doesn’t cut it.

Trust your eyes and ears. Not mine, not someone else’s—yours.

I left Madison pleased with what I believe is a sound future for this industry—not just in youthful vigor, but also in the sense that many people have had enough of the bullshit and are seeking new paths of knowledge (or revisiting old ones). The truth will indeed set you free, it is said. So will AI, apparently.

We attended a social gathering at the Wisconsin Historical Society in a stunning library building on the University of Wisconsin campus. On display were “Underground Newspapers” from the 1960s from all corners of the country (but not Utah, because until City Weekly came along there really wasn’t one that lasted—and we were two decades past the “underground” era). Yep, of course, there was a cover of the Berkeley Barb, the most wellknown of such papers from that era of political unrest and upheaval.

Another area of newspapers on display were histori-

cal for distinctly different reasons. One such was the July 10, 1776 edition of The Pennsylvania Gazette. Our function was on July 10, 2025, exactly 249 years later. On the front page of that newspaper was printed the entire Declaration of Independence, which was adopted just 6 days prior on July 4, 1776 and later signed on August 2.

It must have been an amazing thing to behold at that time—our divorce from King George of England and from the authoritarian rule his monarchy had placed on the American colonies.

The Declaration of Independence is not just a noble set of precepts of who we are. It is also a 27 bullet point indictment of King George III, replete with the remedy that the colonists were leaving his realm to start their own governmental experiment. It’s so core to our cultural DNA that our own hopeful king, Donald Trump, has a copy (he thinks it’s the original) of the Declaration of Independence hanging near his desk in the Oval Office.

But, when asked by ABC reporter Terry Moran what the document meant to him, Trump hemmed, hawed, said something about it being happy and that it stood for “unity, love and respect,” which are wrong on all three counts. Trump has not read the document—it’s Trumpian trophy adoration.

A quick pointer as to why you should always do your own reading is this: Independence is the opposite of unity. Start there.

There was something disturbing in those pages, too. Printed along with the Declaration of Independence were ads promoting the buying and selling of slaves, or promoting rewards for finding runaways—like a sevenpound reward in one such ad for a man by the name of Edward Gray, 5 feet and 6 inches tall with a pockmarked face, 26 years old with straight black hair.

What would seven British pounds buy today? A cup of coffee, a newspaper and a decent human being in the Oval Office, perhaps? CW

Send comments to john@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele

MISS: What’s up, Doc?

Something’s happening in both America and Utah, and it’s all about the law. In the age of Donald Trump, it seems no one can depend on the law— the courts, the judiciary or the people sworn to uphold it. We know there was controversy over the COVID response, but that doesn’t mean that defying the law is acceptable. Or is it? U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi just dropped charges against Dr. Kirk Moore, even after a federal grand jury indicted him for destroying medication and issuing fake vaccination cards. This should be unsurprising—the president pardoned even the most dangerous rioters from the January 6 insurrection. Utah’s House speaker Mike Schultz rallied gleefully in front of the courthouse, saying Moore was just doing what was right. And Bondi said it was so danged unfair, because Moore was giving patients a choice. That choice does not extend to abortion.

MISS: Throwing Shade

The unhoused suffer during the hot summers, and the answer seems to be to ignore them. Utah County, according to The Salt Lake Tribune, is unwilling to address the harms to the homeless from the heat. Worse yet, while the state requires warming centers in winter, it has not addressed cooling during summer. Homeless strategies are not unlike those to target undocumented immigration—lots of thoughts on the subject, but little concrete action toward a solution. Both issues seem to enjoy striking at the symptoms while ignoring the causes. And we know the causes—lack of affordable housing, poverty, mental illness and more. Utah County is not alone in enacting laws against public camping, so moving people to other places seems to be the norm. Maybe this is why Sen. Mike Lee wants to sell off Utah’s public lands, but we doubt he’s that altruistic.

HIT: Climate Concern

Survey says: The public wants politicians to support environmental protections. The issues that participants in a Utah State University survey wanted prioritized included “the drying up of the Great Salt Lake (55%), loss of biodiversity (48%), climate change (47%), population growth (42%), drought and water scarcity (42%), air quality (41%) and declining snowpack (41%).” Sadly, there are still many legislators who believe the weather will just change and all will be well. Water, they say, should be conserved—but the state shouldn’t make you do it. Three Utah teens, through a grant program, created a bluegrass jingle to reach their cohorts, many who don’t understand the threat to Utah as well as the world. Interestingly, survey respondents pointed to population growth as a problem, even as politicians worry about declining birth rates. But since adults won’t make the necessary moves, maybe young people will. CW

X Marks the Spot

The 30th anniversary of the X Games brought so much life, and love, to Salt Lake City. As I walked around the State Fairgrounds during the events, it jumped out to me that the X Gamers—both the organizers and the athletes—absolutely love what they do and who they do it for.

Sure, they’re trying to turn a profit. Everything within your field of vision may be sponsored. But the evidence of love is everywhere. You see it in the scars that rise unevenly on the athletes’ bodies from years of dedication to their craft and preparation for this moment. You see it in the homages to the past, as every member of the event staff wears a t-shirt to honor snowboarder Luke “The Dingo” Trembath, who passed away in March.

You see it all over Ryan Williams’ face as he races to the top of a dirt ramp, arms held high, to celebrate landing the first-ever triple backflip in BMX Dirt. Or as he charges down the hill toward the fans, high-fiving everyone that he can reach. You also see it in Cordano Russell, shirtless and scowling in the white-hot sun, throwing himself down stairs and slamming his body onto the concrete, then getting up to chase his board and try one more time to land his trick, even though the competition ended more than a half hour ago.

I think that admiration—for the spirit of the competition itself and for those who cheer it on—is a rare sight in modern entertainment, and especially in sports. The spirit of the X Games was a perfect match for Salt Lake City, where there are plenty of screaming kids and the punk scene has always been strong. Legendary skateboarder Nyjah Huston chuckled about how the crowd would erupt with approval “even for landing a simple 50-50.” It was a cosmic mix of high-stakes action, nostalgia, Monster energy drinks and mutual respect.

Above all, you see the love in the faces of countless children at events all throughout the weekend, clinging to a barrier with skate decks in hand, hoping with all their might to get an autograph from their hero and spend just a moment with them. Walking between the courses, hearing the growl of Moto X bikes as they soared into the sky, watching BMX riders throw their bikes in frustration after missing their landing, I kept wondering, “What is the point of all this?” In the end, I decided that love was the point. The competitors and organizers love what they do and who they do it for. And doing what you love takes great effort. I love that Salt Lake City got to be a platform for that, just like it has been for so many others since its founding (looking at you: 2002 Winter Olympians; every great movie that got its start at the Sundance Film Festival; Deron Williams; Donovan Mitchell; Mike Trout; and, not always for the right reasons, Brigham Young).

Looking back, it’s kind of a shock that there were 29 X Games hosted at other sites before this one. May 2025 not be the last. And may JNCO jeans and Ska bands live forever. CW

Local Festivals Roundup

Ogden Arts Festival, Draper Days, Utah County Lantern Festival and more.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW

scottr@cityweekly.net

@scottrenshaw

Summer is festival season—and in particular, the days leading up to Utah’s celebration of Pioneer Day tend to be filled with cities and municipalities celebrating with local, smaller-scale events. Here’s just a taste of some of the places you can go for some family-friendly activities, often free to enjoy, taking advantage of the warm-weather season.

Ogden Arts Festival: The spectacular Utah Arts Festival may be in the rearview mirror, but you can still enjoy a weekend of amazing visual artists, live music, food, beer garden and more. Ogden’s Union Station (2501 Wall Ave) plays host to this two-day event, which showcases more than 100 artists selling their work, in addition to live muralists and other live performances, including street buskers. The event takes place Saturday, July 19 (noon

– 9 p.m.) and Sunday, July 20 (noon – 6 p.m.), with two-day tickets $5 online advance/$10 on-site for adults, 18 and under free; VIP passes are also available. ogdendowntown.com/ogdenartsfestival

Draper Days: One of the biggest and widest-ranging such mid-summer festivals in the Salt Lake Valley, Draper Days spans a week including an incredibly wide array of activities for all ages. On Wednesday, July 16 at Draper Amphitheater (944 Vestry Road), “Draper Idol” includes divisions for youth under 16 and 16-and-older, judging technique, voice quality and stage presence for cash prizes and a chance to perform over the weekend on the Draper Days main stage; the competition is followed by a free outdoor screening of Moana 2. Thursday, July 17, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. brings the annual Car Show to Draper City Park, with a chance for cash prizes and a spot in the Saturday morning parade, while the evening on that same day offers a Children’s Bike Parade from Draper Elementary, with decorating materials provided on site. The centerpiece event takes place on Friday, July 18 (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) to Saturday, July 19 (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.), with activities in Draper Park including pony rides, a petting zoo, butterfly encounter, mini-golf and other kid-friendly activities, princess and superhero meets and more. Each night ends with a headliner concert at 7 p.m. (Groove Merchants on Friday, country supergroup The Front-

men on Saturday), followed by a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Most activities take place at Draper City Park (12501 S. 1300 East), but visit the website for full list of activities and locations. draperutah.gov

Utah County Lantern Festival: Gather with family, friends and other community members for the unique, contemplative experience of launching personally-created lanterns into the night. The event includes food trucks, live music and a scavenger hunt, with the water lantern launch at dusk. Admission includes the necessary materials for decorating and creating your own lantern, along with playing cards and conversation cards, a drawstring bag and entry into the scavenger hunt giveaway; attendees should plan to bring their own portable chairs if needed. It takes place Saturday, July 19 at Knoll Park (150 W. 300 South) in Salem, with additional details regarding schedule and lantern launch time sent to ticket-holders before the event. Tickets are $37.99, with children under 8 free with adult admission purchase; “sweetheart packages” are also available including a cozy blanket. waterlanternfestival.com

American Fork Steel Days: There’s a colorful history for the name of American Fork’s traditional mid-July festival—beginning with “Timber Day” in the 1860s and evolving through “Liberty Day” and “Poultry Day”—but for the past 80 years, it’s been solidly set as “Steel Days.” For

that 80th anniversary in 2025, several venues host a variety of events, including ongoing events like the Quilt Show (at the American Fork Senior Center) and Art Show (at American Fork Library). The Steel Days Carnival at Mary and Art Dye Park (1000 N. 500 East) runs Wednesday, July 16 – Saturday, July 19, and includes vendors, cornhole and pickleball tournaments, and plenty of ticketed rides. Saturday also includes the morning parade (9 a.m., Main St. and 100 East) and evening concert with headliner Modern Retrospect, followed by fireworks show. Carnival tickets are $1 for American Fork residents, $1.50 general. steeldaysaf.com

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days: Spanish Fork’s own festival started early, and its Fiesta Days Carnival—presented by Brown’s Amusements at the City Offices Parking Lot (40 S. Main St.)—includes rides of all thrill levels in addition to midway games, food vendors and much more. Other events include a car show with live music on Saturday, July 19, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sports Park West (493 W. Volunteer Dr.), a street dance with DJ music on Saturday, July 19, 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Center St. between Main St. and 100 East), and “Spanish Fork’s Got Talent” competition Wednesday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. at City Park Stage (49 S. Main St.). Carnival tickets are available individually, or limitless ride wristbands for $45 while supplies last. spanishfork.gov CW

Utah County Lantern Festival

Ogden Arts Festival

Utah Symphony: Disney in Concert ’80s-’90s Celebration Nostalgia never goes out of style; it just shifts to a new generation. Now it feels like it’s the Millennials’ turn to be the target for mining the good vibes of childhood associations, especially since the realities of their present day feel a little shaky. So why not turn back the clock to remember the movies and TV shows that delighted you as a youngster—the days that became known as the “Disney Renaissance?”

Utah Symphony’s summer season delivers just that with a “Disney in Concert ’80s-’90s Celebration.” While specific selections will be announced from the stage, you can expect a showcase of tunes from some of the most beloved Disney offerings of the past 40 years, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Toy Story, Mulan, Pocahontas, Newsies and the music of Disney Junior. Sharing those songs will be a lineup of heavy hitters with Broadway credentials, like Susan Egan (Broadway’s original Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and the voice of Hercules’ Meg) and Bradley Gibson (Simba from Broadway’s The Lion King).

Two performances of Utah Symphony’s Disney in Concert ’80s-’90s Celebration come to local venues this week. On Friday, July 18, check them out at the Deer Valley Concert Series at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater (2250 Deer Valley Dr. #501, Park City) at 7:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $24. Then on Saturday, July 19, the Symphony comes to Sandy Amphitheater (1245 E. 9400 South) at 7:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $29. Visit utahsymphony.org to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT PICKS,

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

JULY 17-23, 2025

Colin Quinn @ Wiseguys

Comedian Colin Quinn first came to public attention as the wry, witty anchor of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update.” His acerbic observations made him a standout among the cast members in the late 1990s, laying a foundation for the clever commentary he shared going forward.

Following his stint on SNL, he starred in his namesake Comedy Central late night panel show Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn, offering further opportunity to discuss, debate and dissect the most pressing news stories of the day. His highly acclaimed 2020 HBO Max special, Colin Quinn & Friends: A Parking Lot Comedy Show, took a look at the effects of the pandemic on popular culture captured in the form of both a documentary and stand-up comedy.

Not content to be confined to any single medium, he’s taken parts in film as well, and went on to make his bow on Broadway, first with the one-man show Colin Quinn: An Irish Wake, based on his Irish upbringing. Subsequent endeavors have found him touching on any number of politically-charged topics, including world history, the Constitution and race relations, one of which—Colin Quinn: Long Story Short—garnered a prestigious Drama Desk Award nomination. He’s also a successful author, prompting one magazine to write, “Quinn pulls off the remarkable feat of being both very informative and thoroughly entertaining.” His upcoming performance ought to underscore that impression clearly and conclusively.

Colin Quinn performs a 21+ show at The Showroom located at The Gateway at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19. Tickets cost $35; visit wiseguyscomedy.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

Museum of Illusions

Increasingly, we’re living in a world of AI-generated and otherwise doctored images that make it difficult for us to know when to believe our eyes. Still, there are fun ways to give in to the reality that sometimes, our brains can fool us into thinking we’re seeing what we’re not actually seeing. That’s the principle behind the Museum of Illusions, an entertainment experience with locations around the globe that is bringing its first ever location to Utah this week.

In keeping with the tradition of other Museum of Illusions venues, the Salt Lake City location will include more than 80 exhibits filled with holograms, opitical illusions and interactive experiences designed to offer fun photo opportunities while also providing educational information about vision, perception and the human brain—both biological and psychological—in an effort to help visitors understand what’s happening when we’re getting visual signals that don’t correspond to the real world. The 10,000-square-foot exhibit space also includes three exhibits that were specially designed for Utah and not available at any other Museum of Illusions location: a cowboy character evoking Utah’s Old West heritage; elements evoking vintage soda shops; and illusions influenced by the Victorian-style architecture of classic Salt Lake City neighborhoods.

The Museum of Illusions opens in The Gateway (110 S. Rio Grande St.) on Friday, July 18. Individual admission tickets are $25 - $33, with discounted family tickets available. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily. Visit moisaltlakecity.com to purchase tickets and for additional venue information. (SR)

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Cocktail Hour

Alpine Distilling 7132 N. Silver Creek Road, Park City 350 Main, Park City 435-200-9537

AlpineDistilling.com

Beehive Distilling

2245 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake 385-259-0252

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Clear Water Distilling Co. 564 W. 700 South, Pleasant Grove 801-997-8667

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Dented Brick Distillery 3100 S. Washington St, South Salt Lake 801-883-9837

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Distillery 36 2374 S. Redwood Road, West Valley 801-983-7303

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Eight Settlers Distillery 7321 S. Canyon Centre Pkwy, Cottonwood Heights 385-900-4315

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High West Distillery 703 Park Ave, Park City 435-649-8300

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The Hive Winery and Spirits Company 1220 W. Jack D Drive, Layton 801-546-1997

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Holystone Distilling 207 W. 4860 South, Salt Lake City 503-328-4356

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Moab Distillery 686 S. Main, Moab 435-259-6333

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New World Distillery 4795 2600 North, Eden 385-244-0144

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Ogden’s Own Distillery 615 W. Stockman Way, Ogden 801-458-1995

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Outlaw Distillery 552 W. 8360 South, Sandy 801-706-1428

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Silver Reef Brewing and Distillery

4391 Enterprise Drive, St. George 435-216-1050

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Simplicity Cocktails

3679 W. 1987 South #6, Salt Lake City

801-210-0868

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Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery 3697 W 1987 S Building 5, Salt Lake City

855-927-2824

wasatch.co

Visit holystonedistilling.com for more information.

Sugarhouse Distillery 2212 S. West Temple #14, Salt Lake City

801-726-0403

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Vintage Spirits Distillery 6844 S. 300 West, Midvale 801-699-6459

VSDistillery.com

Waterpocket Distillery 2084 W 2200 South, West Valley City 801-382-9921

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CINEMA

Madness Methods

Three new theatrical features touch on different kinds of societal breakdowns.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net

@scottrenshaw

Eddington BB½

Writer/director Ari Aster’s milieu is madness (Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau Is Afraid), so on that level he might seem to be the ideal filmmaker to tackle the collective freakout we endured in the COVID spring of 2020—except maybe we’re still too close to those events for them to be processed as anything but a swirl of chaos. The premise focuses on a small New Mexico town called Eddington, where tensions over issues like mask mandates and racial justice manifest in the contest for mayor between the incumbent Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) and the town’s sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix). Aster always finds ways to include dark humor into his violent phantasmagorias, and Eddington tends to be most effective around the edges, with details like Joe’s inability to properly use an apostrophe in his campaign messages, or having him nudge his deputies into pity-buying the creepy home art projects created by his troubled wife (Emma Stone). But ultimately, it starts to feel like Aster is throwing a bunch of touchstones of that time into a blender—conspiracymongering YouTubers, Black Lives Matter protests, land acknowledgements, pedophilia paranoia—without worrying about whether the resulting slurry is edible. Despite Phoenix’s commitment to making Joe a complicated mess of a human being, and the hint of a notion that capital wins no matter who else loses, it’s a bit too smugly cynical in this moment to be “both-sides”-ing the collapse of American society. Available July 18 in theaters. (R)

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight BBB

Everyone has genres for which they are generally in the tank, and one of mine involves stories about worldchanging events told through the eyes of children (see also: Hope and Glory, Empire of the Sun, etc.). This one from writer/director Embeth Davidtz adapts Alexandra Fuller’s memoir, with the author’s counterpart—7-yearold Bobo (Lexi Venter)—experiencing the upheaval in Zimbabwe’s transition to Black majority rule circa 1980,

causing upheaval in the lives of her White farmer parents (Davidtz and Rob Van Vuuren). Virtually everything takes place from the point of view of Bobo, which makes it crucial that Davidtz has found a remarkable presence in first-timer Venter. Her wild tangle of hair and perpetually smudged face does some of the work in suggesting a child left almost entirely to her own devices, but Venter conveys a watchfulness that never once strives for adorableness, with effective narration suggesting the unique childhood fears she faces. And Davidtz is confident enough to suggest all the ways Venter is taking after her parents—including playing pretend with Black children in a way that casts them as her servants—that could potentially make her unsympathetic. The filmmaker is a bit less successful with directing herself in the tricky role of a trauma-afflicted, mentally unstable woman, though her rage at the prospect of having to leave “her” land always makes sense. It’s simply a more effective narrative when we’re behind the eyes of a kid existing in all her natural selfishness as much bigger things unfold. Available July 18 in theaters. (R)

Smurfs BB

I’m so opposed on general principle to the idea that yet another Smurfs feature exists that I’m second-guessing whether my frustration with its manic “try everything” energy is a matter of going in with a pre-made-up mind. It inserts a seemingly purposeless Smurf called No Name (James Corden) into the world of the little blue creatures, including Smurfette (Rihanna), as they set off to rescue Papa Smurf (John Goodman) from evil wizards—and boy, is that journey a busy one. Along with the familiar kiddie-fare arc of a hapless hero learning to believe in himself, we’ve got a bit of live-action interaction, a montage playing with a variety of animation styles, gags about a villain muted on a Zoom call, plaintive “I want” musical numbers, Bollywood-style choreography and a joke about someone unwittingly being fed human cremains. It’s not that there aren’t a few amusing moments strewn throughout this thing, though there’s rarely a punch line that isn’t accompanied by a nudging reference to itself. It’s that this stridently wacky approach from director Chris Miller (2011’s Puss in Boots) and company could just as easily have been filled with other pop-culture characters; I dare someone to explain to me how making this identical narrative into a Trolls or a Minions movie would have been substantively different. And a few smiles in service of another corporate place-holder just isn’t worth it. Available July 18 in theaters. (PG)

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight

Smurfs

BYU Chef Wins Gold at NACUFS Competition

Chef Ruth Dubon dazzles judges with chicken liver ballotine and savory bread pudding.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

Last week, Salt Lake hosted the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) and its 2025 national conference. NACUFS is all about creating opportunities for innovation within the sphere of college and university food services, and the organization’s annual conference brought chefs, vendors and culinary experts together for a weekend at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Since 2001, the conference has traditionally kicked off with a high-pressure cooking competition, and this year we had some local talent in the fray. Chef Ruth Dubon from Brigham Young University defeated three other regional semifinalists to compete in the finals.

I had a chance to chat with Chef Dubon before she geared up to compete. A Provo native, Dubon recalled how cool her sister looked when she got her own chef whites from the Utah Restaurant Association’s ProStart program. Provo High School was participating in the program, and Dubon was asked to join the Provo High competitive culinary team when she enrolled as a sophomore and again as a senior.

“After that, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts,” she says.

Dubon studied culinary arts at Utah Valley University, and she’s worked in local establishments like OAK Wood Fire

DINE

Kitchen in Draper and the Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy. After some time spent in local restaurants, she worked for the University of Utah Dining Services before moving back to Provo. In her hometown once more, she started working at Brigham Young University. Given her history with culinary competition, Dubon was encouraged to submit an application, and she worked her way into the national finals.

The NACUFS Culinary Challenge operates in the same vein as competitive cooking shows like Iron Chef. After contestants are given a primary protein—this year was a whole chicken and chicken liver—they are tasked with creating a dish that showcases their creativity and execution. Chef Dubon’s dish was a chicken-and-liver ballotine with fried chicken liver, sauteed red Swiss chard and a savory bread pudding. The event is part of the NACUFS conference opening reception, so attendees can grab a cocktail and some charcuterie while watching these talented chefs compete live.

Our own Chef Matteo Sogne of downtown’s Italian restaurant Matteo was the honorary emcee for the evening, and he’s definitely got a knack for showmanship. Sogne was on the University of Utah’s swim team, so he had a few good-natured digs for Dubon and her BYU loyalties. He commented that Dubon’s choice to do a ballotine—a deboned chicken breast that Dubon stuffed with chicken liver—on such a tight timeline was a brave one.

After watching the competition, it’s clear that Dubon is a natural competitor. “I like to get into the zone, and I like when people watch me in the competition,” she says. “I’m a fast adapter, so if anything happens, I like to figure it out on the spot.”

In addition to showcasing the primary protein, chefs had to create a dish that was nutritionally balanced, which meant adding vegetables, sauce and starch to the completed plate. Competition judges were

selected from the American Culinary Federation (ACF), and they judged each dish based on its organization, technique, skill and taste. Dubon mentioned that her prep and practice time along with her participation in the tournament could go toward ACF certification, which is a huge benefit to any chef’s CV.

Competitors needed to create a display dish as well, which is where I got up close and personal with Dubon’s handiwork. Dubon’s final dish was gorgeously plated, with its centerpiece of chicken ballotine looking particularly tantalizing. Tasting was reserved for judges and judges alone, however, but they were duly impressed, as Dubon’s dish won first place.

“I’m very happy—I poured my heart out, and I’m just so happy to see everyone I know here supporting me,” she remarked. “I elevated my dish from regionals, so I just gave it the best I could.” As the first-place winner of this year’s chef competition, Dubon was awarded $500, an ACF gold medal and a spot in the ACF Chef of the Year competition in 2026.

With the tournament in the rearview of Dubon’s obligatory victory lap, she’s looking forward to a bit of down time before she gets back to the BYU kitchens. With all the hours she spent practicing her chicken ballotine paying off with a win, she returns to her team an experienced veteran.

“This is the first time BYU has gotten into nationals in 16 years,” Dubon says. “For now, the plan is to help the next competitor and try to train them as much as I can.”

I’ve always been fascinated with the mental stamina that competitive chefs bring to their challenges. They’ve got so many things to manage in their space, and watching Dubon approach this challenge with a deep commitment to the craft and a level-headed approach to the competition was quite impressive.

“It’s a lot of hard work that will pay off in the end,” Dubon remarked. “You’ve just got to pour it all out and leave it on the floor.” CW

2 Row Brewing

73 West 7200 South, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com

On Tap: “Czech One-Two” Czech Pilsner

Avenues Proper

376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Bewilder Brewing

445 S. 400 West, SLC BewilderBrewing.com

On Tap: Pink Boots - Pink Pony Pilz

Bohemian Brewery

94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com

NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com

On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale

Chappell Brewing

2285 S Main Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84115 chappell.beer

On Tap: Playground #13 - Hazy Pale with Lemondrop and Sultana

Corner Brew Pub Sugar House 2110 S. Highland Drive, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/ wasatch

On Tap:  Top of Main Mother Urban’s Parlor Blonde Ale

Craft by Proper 1053 E. 2100 So., SLC properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap:  Centennial Steamer, California Common Lager

Epic Brewing Co.

Etta Place Cidery

700 W Main St, Torrey www.ettaplacecider.com

On Tap: Velvet Ridge Cider, Rhubarb Peach Wine

Fisher Brewing Co.

320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

On Tap: A rotation of up to 17 Fresh Beers!

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Cask Nitro CO2

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co. 1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Krispy The Kid - Rice Lager

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

On Tap: Sake Rice Lager (collab with Tsuki Sake); Tropical Haze

New Launch: Fonio Fusion - 6.6%

Level Crossing Brewing Co.

2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: El Santo Mexican Lager

Level Crossing Brewing Co.,

550 South 300 West, Suite

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Fruit Bat Sour Ale

Moab Brewing

686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

On Tap:  “Big Drop” West Coast Pilsner

Mountain West Cider

425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Watermelon Blueberry Hard Cider

Offset Bier Co

1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/

On Tap: DOPO IPA

Ogden Beer Company

358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com

On Tap: 11 rotating taps as well as high point cans and guest beers

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com

On Tap: Park City PalmerHard Iced Tea

Policy Kings Brewery

79 W. 900 South, Salt Lake City PolicyKingsBrewery.com

On Tap: Kings Proper Kolsch

Prodigy Brewing

25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com

On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner

Proper Brewing/Proper Burger 857 So. Main & 865 So. Main properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Blizzard Wizard Hazy Pale Ale

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com

On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Grand Bavaria

Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: All Hail the Ale IPA

Roosters Brewing

Multiple Locations

RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Cranberry Lime Seltzer

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake SaltFireBrewing.com

On Tap: Do I Make You Shandy - Session IPA with Lemonade

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: OPEN ROAD SERIES #3 - Barrel Aged Grand Cru

Scion Cider Bar 916 Jefferson St W, SLC Scionciderbar.com

On Tap: Scion Cider PieCycle - 6.4% ABV

Second Summit Cider 4010 So. Main, Millcreek https://secondsummitcider. com On Tap: Blackberry Lime 6.5%

Shades Brewing 1388 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City

ShadesBrewing.beer

New Batch: Coyote Ugli (New England Style Double IPA)

Shades On State 366 S. State Street, Salt Lake City Shadesonstate.com

On Tap: Six Wheat Under Hefeweizen

Silver Reef 4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George

saltlakebrewingco.com/ squatters

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Kreator Kolsch

Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi

3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: “Blood For Ra” American Sour with Tart Cherry and Vanilla; “Pineapple Haze” Hazy IPA with Pineapple Strap Tank Brewery, Springville 596 S 1750 W, Springville, UT StrapTankBrewery.com On Tap: “Orange Hopsicle” Hazy Pale; “Trouble” American Sour with Mango and Passionfruit

TF Brewing 936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com On Tap: Twelve taps and high point cans available.

Talisman Brewing Co. 1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com On Tap: Lemon Bar sour; Huckleberry sour

Thieves Guild Cidery 117 W. 900 South, SLC thievesguildcidery.com On Tap: Death and Decay Rosé - 6.9%

Top of Main Brewery 250 Main, Park City, Utah topofmainbrewpub.com On Tap: Top of Main Brewery Utah Beer – An American Light Lager

147 W. Broadway, SLC

Uinta Brewing 1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC UintaBrewing.com On Tap: Was Angeles Craft Beer ZionBrewery.com

BEER NERD

Seeing Red

We’re not angry, just thirsty for more.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

Have you noticed that there’s been an absence of red or amber looking beers lately? I’m not sure why. Maybe perceptions are that they’re too heavy or too sweet? Neither of those assertions is broadly correct, but it has made for a less interesting beer scene, since they’re becoming harder and harder to find. But thankfully this week, I found two “red beers,” each one going in different directions—just as it should be.

Salt Lake Brewing - Amburana ESB: To be different in today’s beer world, innovation often whispers rather than shouts. This classic American-style ESB is a great example of that principle, a quiet nudge born from a simple collaboration. Jason Stock, Head Brewer at Salt Lake Brewing, partnered with Salt Lake City’s Solstice Malts to undertake a cool experiment: aging a portion of their malt in Amburana barrels to gently infuse it with the wood’s unique character. Served on their nitrogen tap, the beer is a visual treat, cascading into the glass to settle into a brilliant copper hue crowned with a thick, creamy, persistent head. The aroma is a malty dream, leading with comforting notes of biscuit and toasted bread. Wafting just beneath is a warm, inviting spice, a subtle hint of what the Amburana wood has imparted. It’s unmistakably nutmeg-like, a delicate and intriguing promise of the sip to come. On the palate, this 5.0 percent ESB is absolutely on point. The nitrogen pour provides an exceptionally smooth, velvety mouthfeel that perfectly cradles the rich malt backbone. Flavors of caramel and light toffee are the foundation, delivering what can only be described as textbook happiness for the tongue. The magic, however, lies in that subtle Amburana touch. It never overpowers, weaving instead a delicate thread of

woody spice through the profile that enhances the overall malt profile.

Verdict: There is great balance and subtlety here. I wouldn’t go as far as saying the barrel-aged malt experiment is a resounding success, but there’s a noticeable difference, and the Nitro condition helps bring it out. An impeccably smooth and deeply satisfying brew.

Chappell - Tomorrow’s Problem: The “Imperial Amber” isn’t a recognized beer style—at least, not until enough breweries are enthusiastic enough to make it one. When faced with such a creation, the best approach is to judge it by what it evokes. For all intents and purposes, this brew comes across as an Imperial Red Ale.

It pours a deep copper into the glass, unfiltered and inviting; a thick, dense, khaki-tinged head forms and lingers. The first impression on the nose is a strike of assertive hops, bringing forth a vibrant, complex bouquet of herbal and cool citrus notes. This initial aromatic charge is quickly followed and supported by a sturdy malt foundation, wafting up pleasant aromas of toasty bread crust and a gentle, nutty character.

The experience on the palate is immediately satisfying. The beer boasts a medium-heavy body, and its malty texture coats the mouth in a luxurious way. It is unapologetically well-hopped, yet the bitterness is well-integrated so that it never becomes aggressive. The real intrigue arrives in the finish, where a distinct, mineralic influence emerges— a subtle, coppery tang reminiscent of classic English ales that adds an interesting layer of flavor. What is perhaps most impressive is how well the 9.0 percent ABV is concealed within the balance of malt, hops and texture.

Verdict: This is a dangerously smooth and curiously crafted ale that carves out its own identity. Is it compelling enough to be awarded its Imperial Amber crown? Sure, why not. The team at Chappell Brewing is obviously on to something here.

Look for Tomorrow’s Problem today; it’s only available at Chappell Brewing in 16-ounce cans. Amburana ESB is only available on the nitro tap at Salt Lake Brewing Company, in downtown SLC. As always, cheers! CW

the BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

De Los Muertos is Now Muertos Cantina

Fans of the Sugar House fast-casual Mexican spot De Los Muertos will be excited to learn about its recent glow-up. The restaurant has rebranded to Muertos Cantina (muertoscantina.com) and moved a few spots down from its original location. To complement the new digs, the restaurant looks to be elevating its game a bit with a gorgeous new bar space and a few additions to its existing menu of classic burritos, tacos and nachos. I always thought that the De Los Muertos vibe would be much better-suited to a moody cantina, and it’s cool to see the restaurant evolve into something that will let the team spread their wings a bit.

Le Boeuf Opens

Le Boeuf (248 W. 900 South) is a new French and Italian restaurant that just popped up on my radar, and it looks like they’re getting pretty indulgent with classic European cuisine. I’m seeing plenty of classic ragouts happening on the menu, including a lasagna variation that incorporates French-style tomatoes into its layers of rich noodles and sauce. Escargot is also on the menu for those who have yet to try this French classic; it’s way better than you’d think it is. The lunch menu includes some great pasta specials along with croque monsieur sandwiches made with waffles, and the dinner menu has no shortage of gorgeous steaks on display. This place has old-school vibes, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Hello Kitty Cafe Comes to Valley Fair Mall

Our favorite festive feline Hello Kitty is bringing her mobile cafe to Valley Fair Mall (shopvalleyfair. com) on Saturday, July 26. The traveling pink van will be packing all kinds of Hello Kitty merch, along with plenty of sweet treats for those in attendance. Fans of all things pink, vibrant and adorable will want to check out this mobile version of the popular Hello Kitty Cafe that has become an iconic institution in California. The traveling pink van will set up shop onsite at Valley Fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for July 26 only. It’s a great opportunity for Hello Kitty fans to get a taste of the cafe while snagging the latest Hello Kitty swag.

Quote of the Week: “The French do not season their food with regret.” – Mary-Lou Weisman

MUSIC the LOCAL ISSUE ISSUE

A deep dive into the people and places of Utah’s music scene.

BY CW STAFF

Trying to be a creator of any kind has always been a risk— whether it’s taking a chance on familial opposition to an artistic career, putting your rawest emotions out into the world for people to potentially reject, or just trying to make ends meet. Yet, while technology has certainly bridged the gap somewhat between creators and potential audiences, all those risks still remain. And it feels like it’s ever harder to turn the act of creation into a living.

Part of the reason for City Weekly dedicating an issue every year to local music is an effort to help connect artists with those who might be looking for exactly what they offer. That pragmatic side is only part of the equation, though, because when it comes right down to it, art matters not because it can help drive the economy— although, make no mistake, it totally does—but because creation matters for its own sake. In a time when governmental acts are reducing people to their use value, making music becomes an act of rebellion. It says that shouting from the soul—not from an AI prompt—is the essence of being human.

For our readers, we hope you use this information to connect with artists who might be new to you, whether it’s going to an open-mic night, buying a concert ticket or downloading a fresh and exciting new song. For the musicians, keep doing what you’re doing, even when it’s hard, maybe especially when it’s hard. We’re never going to stop supporting the unique flavor you bring to Utah. To all who sing out about this crazy human experience: We salute you.

Scott Renshaw Arts & Entertainment Editor

THE “IT” LIST

Our recommendations for the latest local bands you need to have in your ears.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net

Each year, it’s a challenge to decide which handful of artists to highlight in our music issue. The challenge is most welcome, however, because it means everywhere one turns, there is incredible local music to be found. Whether you’re new to the area, or are just looking for more local jams, this list is a great place to start.

The Proper Way: This multi-instrumentalist trio is a quintessential group if you’re a fan of Americana/acoustic type tunes. The Proper Way can be found playing all over town, and often have their hands in the production of other artists’ music. While many describe their sound as I did, the band members profess on their website that, “We’re as likely to play a classic Willie Nelson song as we are Lizzo or the Avett Brothers or Elton John or John Craigie or Tyler Childers or The Bee Gees or Queen or Prince or John Prine or The Band or the Wood Brothers or a bunch of hymns or Jason Isbell or Tracy Chapman.” That’s a wide, wide range, and just another reason why you need to check out The Proper Way if you haven’t already. IG: @theproperwayband

Pdubba-U: Formed by buddies Preston Fairchild and Wesley Knight, Pdubba-U (pronounced like the letters PW) is an epic rock outfit that has it all—soaring vocals, relatable and heartfelt lyrics and, of course, shredding guitar solos. The duo released several singles and EPs leading up to their debut album Past Lives in 2024; some standouts on this album include “Woah Girl” and “Miki Endo.” You can feel the passion and love of music from these two as you listen to any of their tracks. Most recently, Pdubba-U released an excellent cover of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. This rock duo is severely underrated, so go show them some love and listen to their tunes. IG: @pdubbau

The Alpines: If you’re in the mood for some incredible indie rock, The Alpines should be at the top of your list, as they blend elements of Americana, psych, folk and indie to create a sound all their own. This fourpiece group made their debut with an ambitious and thought-provoking album called Heading North, which tells a story of a post-apocalyptic world and making it through that experience. Since then, they’ve grown and changed—though not in a bad way, of course. The more a band plays and puts out music, the more they’re able to truly find themselves. They’ve had a steady stream of singles releasing this year, which are hopefully leading to a new album. The Alpines perfectly encapsulate indie rock, so be sure to check them out. IG: @thealpinesmusic

The Last Wild Buffalo: Folk and Americana music are big on imagery and storytelling. The Last Wild Buffalo does that with their music, and with their name as well. They refer to themselves as a “stomp-andholler” folk band, incorporating a mixture of folk, bluegrass, rock and, as they say, “a hint of punk.” With this band, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Sometimes it seems like folk and acoustic music are niche genres, but The Last Wild Buffalo are able to appeal to a large audience with their unique and delightful sound. If you’re in the mood to stomp and holler, The Last Wild Buffalo should be your go-to. IG: @thelastwildbuffalo

@TUVOISIRA The Proper Way

The Alpines

The Last Wild Buffalo

Pdubba-U

Die Shiny: Salt Lake City has a beautiful and bright community of queer/LGBTQIA+ musicians, of which electropop duo Die Shiny is a part. Their electrifying sound is joyous and entertaining, but they also touch on heavy topics like trauma and their opinions on the state of the politically difficult time in which we find ourselves. As of late, Die Shiny has been cranking out incredibly well-made music videos, including the award winning “Sacrament;” the song is beautiful and poignant and the video matches. Music videos seem to be waning in popularity, but maybe watching Die Shiny’s will pull you back in. If you’re looking for a balance of meaningful and enjoyable, Die Shiny is your group. IG: @dieshiny

Citrus!: Bands with punctuation in their names are cooler than most—that’s just science. In all realness, though, Citrus! is a delightful indie rock/emo duo that brings a terrific balance of humor and a great sound to the table. Another O-Town group, Citrus! has a bright vibe and fun demeanor. These two are also keen on making music videos for their tracks: The video for “Not About You” is easily a favorite, featuring awesome shots of Ogden and the duo frolicking about having a terrific time. With general conditions as hard as they are these days, we all need a little joy, and you’ll find it here with Citrus! IG: @realcitrusband

Muskies: If I asked you if you’re a fan of “pike psych” you’d probably be confused. But then, I’d have you listen to Muskies, and you’d immediately become a fan. Muskies steadily have been becoming a favorite in the local scene, as their charming, lively and funny disposition shines in their look as a band as well as in their sound. You can often find them in costume or jumpsuits, rocking the stage and having the best time. They’ve released awesome music over the last couple years—including their newest single, “BERGHAIN”—but I find myself often going back to the very beginning and listening to their debut single, “Out on the Water!” It has that charm and joy that instantly makes one smile. An unintentional theme of this list has become music videos, as Muskies just released a video for their latest single. If you’re needing a little pep in your life, Muskies’ “pike psych” is for you. IG: @muskiesgram

Get to know these bands; listen to their music; watch their videos. It’s beautiful forming a connection with the local music scene, and Salt Lake City’s is vibrant and ample—you’ll never be left feeling like there’s no new music to listen to. CW

Die Shiny

Citrus!

Muskies

MUSIC MIX

Coffee, vinyl and live music at FOUNTAIN Records.

BY ARICA ROBERTS comments@cityweekly.net

Salt Lake City is full of so many great coffee shops—and for music lovers, the plethora of spaces to sip on some caffeine and enjoy live music brings together the best of both worlds. For example, you may have heard of FOUNTAIN Records (202 E. 500 South), which was launched by Adam Michael Terry and more recently provided with a coffee bar (Sound Brew) with the help of local nightlife legend and founder of Nightfreq Events, Yokchi Chang.

The specialty coffee + hifi (high-fidelity) culture at FOUNTAIN Records revolves around the pursuit of high-quality sound reproduction and the appreciation of audio equipment designed for that purpose. Chang has been collecting the records and equipment within the shop, and both he and Terry agreed on the vision of selling records, turntables and other audio equipment. The innovative music hub in its prime downtown location—walking distance from Washington Square, right across from The Leonardo and connected to Baby’s Bagels—is perfect for intrepid diggers who love to spend hours perusing through crates of vinyl records.

Chang was also inspired by the jazz kissas he visited in Japan. The shop is Salt Lake City’s only “ongaku kissa”—literally translated as “music café”—which is a uniquely Japanese type of listening café that focuses on the appreciation of recorded music, particularly jazz, that emerged after WWII as a way to bring Western music to Japan. The key features of jazz kissas include carefully-curated collections of vinyl records and high-end audio systems—as well as siphon coffee, the go-to method of extraction in Japan.

Additionally, Chang explains that the shop has been a good meeting spot for musicians. “I’m glad that we have built a place where all these musicians can gather, hang out and talk about projects, events and even plan their events here while drinking coffee,” he says.

FOUNTAIN Records hosts regular live jazz nights and open deck sessions for DJs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, as well as rotating Friday engagements when musicians are touring in the city or

happen

MIC CHECK

ONE TWO

Open Mic Night Listings

BY CITY WEEKLKY STAFF comments@cityweekly.net

Sean Baker of the band

Sean Baker’s Recycled Stardust (IG: @sbrs.tv) hosts the Entropy Ink mic on the third Thursday of the month, the Fellowship Hall mic on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, and fills in on the last Sunday of the month at the Greenhouse Effect open mic. Baker helped compile this list, with options for every day of the week. Give these venues a try, mix it up and find your perfect fit!

SUNDAYS

Greenhouse Effect Coffee and Crepes

3231 S. 900 East, SLC

Every Sunday, 7 p.m., 21+

IG: @greenhousecoffeeandcrepes

Tailgate Tavern

3550 S. State, SLC

Every Sunday, 8 p.m., 21+

IG: @tailgatetavernslc

The Cabin

427 Main St., Park City

Every Sunday, 8 p.m., 21+

IG: @thecabinparkcity

Grounds for Coffee

27 N. Main St., Logan

Every Sunday, 6 p.m., all ages IG: @groundsforcoffeelogan

Sugar Space Arts Warehouse

132 S. 800 West, SLC

1st & 3rd Sundays, 4:30 p.m., all ages

IG: @sugarspaceartsandevents

Side Bar

615 W. Stockman Way, Ogden

Every Sunday, 4 p.m., 21 +

IG: @sidebar_at_ogdensowndistillery

MONDAYS

Open Mic at Alliance Theater

602 E. 500 South Suite E101, SLC

Every Monday, 7:30 p.m., all ages

IG: @themondaymicslc

Open Jam at

The Hog Wallow Pub

3200 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Cottonwood Heights

Every Monday, 9 p.m., 21+

IG: @thehogwallow

Open Blues Jam at

The Green Pig Pub

31 E. 400 South, SLC

Every Monday, 10 p.m., 21+

IG: @greenpigpub

TUESDAYS

The Beehive

666 S. State Street, SLC

Every Tuesday, 7 p.m., 18+

IG: @beehiveslc

Pat’s BBQ (Originals Only)

155 W Commonwealth Ave, SLC

Every Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., all ages

IG: @patsbbq_official

Clubhouse SLC

850 E. South Temple St, SLC

Every Tuesday, 7 p.m., $15 or 2 for $20 cover, all ages

IG: @clubhouseslc

Boomerang’s Down

Under Bar

1306 Woodland Ave, Milcreek

Every Tuesday, 7 p.m., 21+

IG: @boomerangsmillcreek

Sugar House Coffee

2011 S. 1100 East, SLC

Every Tuesday, 7 p.m., all ages

IG: @sugarhousecoffee

The Point After

5445 S. 900 East, Murray

Every Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., 21+

IG: @the_point_after

SLC Lunatics

Storyteller’s Canvas

(A Narrative-Driven Open Mic)

Last Tuesday, 7 p.m., $11 cover, 18+ IG: @slclunatics for venue info

Others & Allies

Utah County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., 18+ IG: @amberskindafunny for venue info

Open Mic at Alliance Theater

WEDNESDAYS

Velour Live Music Gallery

135 N. University Ave, Provo

Every Wednesday, 8 p.m., all ages

IG: @velourlive

Level Crossing Brewing

2496 S. West Temple, SLC

Every Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., 21+

IG: @levelcrossingbrewing

THURSDAYS

Entropy Ink

220 W. Central Ave. Suite 5, Millcreek 3rd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., all ages

IG: @entropy_ink

Kamikazes Ogden

2404 Adams Ave, Ogden

Every Thursday, 6 p.m., 21+

IG: @kamikazesogden

FOUNTAIN Records

202 E. 500 South, SLC (Open Jazz Night)

Every Thursday, 7 p.m., all ages

IG: @fountainrecordsslc

FRIDAYS

Java Junkie

16 W. Center Street, Provo

Every Friday, 7 p.m., all ages

IG: @javajunkieprovo

Fit To Recover

1331 and 1335 S. Major Street, SLC

Every Friday, 6 p.m., all ages

IG: @fit_2recover

Rabbit Hole Wellness

9329 S. 1300 East Unit #12, Sandy

Last Friday, 6 p.m., all ages

IG: @rabbithole.wellness

SATURDAYS

High Point Coffee

1735 W. 7800 South, West Jordan

Every Saturday, 6 p.m., all ages

IG: @highpointcoffeehouse

Bountiful Open Mic

55 N. Main Street Suite C, Bountiful (undergroundbelow Royal India) Every Saturday, 8 p.m., all ages IG: @bountifulopenmic

A well-stocked selection of audial pleasures

SOUND

ENVIRONMENT

Rediscover the pleasure of listening to music with others at SLC’s The Green Room.

BY MARK DAGO comments@cityweekly.net

Listening means different things to different people. For most, music is an accompaniment, sort of a soundtrack for daily life. Another percentage of people take music more seriously—and that often requires concentration without distraction.

Listening bars, also called listening rooms or hi-fi bars, are venues designed around exceptional sound systems, often dedicated to playing vinyl records. Inspired by Japan’s jazz kissas, these modern spaces offer a carefully curated auditory experience. Salt Lake City’s primary listening bar—The Green Room (17 E. 400 South), under the direction of one of the establishment’s partners, James Beard—has made the hi-fi experience more accessible.

“The Green Room was an existing bar for two years before I ever became involved,” Beard recalled to City Weekly. “The owners were toying with the notion of taking the license and moving to another location, essentially starting over from scratch under a new name and identity altogether.

“As a huge fan of hi-fi listening bars,” he continued, “I thought that The Green Room would make a perfect spot, not only because of its already-vintage visual aesthetic, but

also due to its compact size, which lends itself greatly to the acoustics needed for a hi-fi room. I sat down with the owners and pitched the idea of keeping The Green Room where it is and using the space to create a legit, all-vinyl listening bar in the same vein as kissa bars.”

Acoustics are as important as—if not more than—the actual sound system. If the room has no diffusion or absorption, the sound is impacted by reverb reflections that suck the energy out of the dynamics and either under- or overemphasize frequencies in different positions of the room. The louder the system, the worse these problems get.

With a top-tier sound system, you can enjoy louder music—which is a qualitatively different experience, because you get the physical stimulation of the sound—and can still have a conversation at the same time.

“We just put a lot of thought and money into our sound system,” Beard said. “We sourced vintage Klipsch Heresy and Cornwall speakers from the ’70s and ’80s and we dumped about $12,000 into our vacuum tube amps, which came from Poland. We also dished out a pretty penny on our DJ mixer, which is an all-analog, handmade

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Condesa rotary. When DJs spin vinyl, they’re using the best possible mixer to match the setup.”

It also doesn’t hurt that the entire bar is basically wood, which really helps sonically.

“We put the highest possible emphasis on the music we play,” Beard added. “It’s not just an afterthought. Everything you hear on any given night has been carefully curated by me or our staff. It’s not just some random Spotify shuffle we throw on as background noise. We also put an equal emphasis on the sound quality level of the music. We really pay close attention to how things sound, and are constantly adjusting and fine tuning. No other bar in the city does this to even remotely the same degree.”

One of the greatest cultural losses with the disappearance of record stores is the loss of the informed purveyor of tunes in the store clerk, who can choose the music for the moment and make it magical even as they are selling you a little. The talent that regularly graces the decks at The Green Room distances itself from some sort of weird elitism, though. Their lineup includes world-renowned DJs Diamond D and Edan as well as esteemed locals: Robin Bank’s “The Shake-Up” is a ’60s soul and pop dance party; “Global,” which is James Beard’s and Fischloops’ night of music from every corner of the globe; and Yokchi Chang’s “Social Disco Club.”

“I try to keep an ear out for people who really specialize in specific musical genres, and have put a lot of work into learning those genres inside and out with record collections that showcase their knowledge,” Beard asserts. “Having a Rolodex of those types of selectors is what helps me keep our DJ lineup super varied, with a little something for everyone. I don’t ever want two weekend nights in a row to sound the same.”

The Green Room also hosts a wide range of events tailored to a variety of tastes.

“We’ve hosted several food pop-

up events with local peeps from SLC’s culinary scene, such as our Wax N Snax night, where we challenge ourselves to pair a musical genre with a specific food type,” Beard noted. “We’ve held fundraisers for various charities. Every first Thursday of the month is Ladies First night, where we invite all female collectors to bring in records from their own collections to play on our sound system.

“We also have our Sunday nights, dedicated to playing whole albums in their entirety by artists in a similar vein. My favorite event we’ve done thus far was on Easter Sunday, where we held a makeshift sacrament meeting, complete with bread, wine and tinned fish, where everyone sat in reverence listening to a curated playlist of spiritual jazz records from John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders.”

There doesn’t seem to be enough spaces that offer a sound system or record collections capable of turning those interested in discovery onto a new kind of experience. There is nothing wrong with music being the center of attention and not just the background to life. And it’s much broader than just the vinyl; it’s the total environment that owners and staff put together.

“Music is important,” Beard opined. “Our local community of music-lovers is important. Sitting and relaxing with a drink while taking in some music of substance is important. And discussing said music with a friend or even a total stranger is equally important.

“I want people to leave feeling like they were just in another city, or even in another time completely. We’re striving to offer patrons a singular experience that they can’t get anywhere else. Most of all, I hope they’ll come away knowing they were just in a bar that cared a lot about their mission and put a heavy precedence on music itself.”

With all the new cosmetic changes in place, The Green Room plans to re-open on Aug. 1, 2025. IG: thegreenroom.bar CW

The inviting red glow of The Green Room

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MUSIC VENUES: INDOOR SPOTS

Aces High Saloon: 1588 S. State St. (aceshighsaloon.com)

If you want to hang out in the biker bar of all biker bars, come on by. It’s a small venue, but it packs a punch, with great cocktails and food, including vegan options. As a showcase for heavy metal, rock and punk acts, this is a venue that will have you headbanging all night. Bands often sell out the space, so be sure to keep an eye out for acts you want to see and get your tickets.

Pearl on Main: 7711 S. Main St., Midvale (thepearlonmain.com)

This cool venue offers old-school theater vibes, but the building itself is beautiful with great acoustics. They have snacks, drinks and a limited bar for those who are of age, but that’s not the main reason you come—it’s for the great variety of local acts and intimate size. Coming to a show here feels like you get to experience a cool part of history while enjoying a modern show.

The Commonwealth Room: 195 W. 2100 South (thestateroompresents.com)

The State Room’s sister venue is a bit further south, but is a perfect venue for accessibility right off the Central Point transit hub. With a capacity of 650, it hits a sweet spot for mid-level touring acts as well as some great locals, and their raised viewing platforms offer terrific views. A full bar is available for 21+ events.

The Complex: 536 W. 100 South (thecomplexslc.com)

The Complex is where to head for mid-level touring acts—not a huge stadium-like venue, but not a small and cozy local spot, either. It’s the perfect in-between for your favorite bands who have a large, passionate fanbase, is spacious enough for moshing and features big sound and great ADA accessibility. They have a bar with a few options, but you won’t really be coming to The Complex to drink; you’re coming for the vibes.

High energies at Aces High Saloon The Complex

Delta Center: 301 S. Temple (deltacenter.com)

Best known as the home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz (and now also the NHL’s Utah Mammoth), it’s also the place where some of the biggest names in music and comedy turn up for local visits (think Benson Boone, Maroon 5 and Adam Sandler). Extremely convenient to public transportation, with a Trax station right outside the front doors, it offers the full arena experience including plenty of top-tier food vendors on-site.

The Depot: 13 N. 400 West (depotslc.com)

Great touring acts hit The Depot on the regular, and its location at the Gateway—just a block away from a Trax stop—makes it one of the most convenient spots to see a show. The viewing experience is generally a good one, with upstairs suites available for VIP experiences and 21+ access to great cocktails.

Eccles Theater: 131 S. Main St. (live-at-the-eccles.com)

This (relatively) new downtown venue might be better known as the spot for touring Broadway shows, but its arrival also created a great theater space to catch national music acts when the vibe is for a seated show rather than a wild general-admission experience. Sightlines are good whether from the floor level or the balconies, and it’s easily accessible via the Blue Trax line.

Funk ‘N Dive: 2550 Washington Blvd., Ogden (funkanddive.com)

Funk ‘N Dive is another must-see venue when you’re barhopping in Ogden or want to catch a favorite local act. They have excellent happy-hour food, cocktails and a great variety of bands. They have a fireplace for those cold wintry months, and the staff are always top-notch.

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The Pour plays at The Hog Wallow

MUSIC VENUES: INDOOR SPOTS

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The Great Saltair: 12408 W. Saltair Dr., Magna (thesaltair.com)

The one-time resort and amusement park advertises itself as “Utah’s First Entertainment Venue,” and it continues to live up to that history. Year-round, the venue on the edge of the Great Salt Lake hosts indoor shows. But it also has capacity to get expansive in its amphitheater for warmweather months and festivals like the annual Das Energi. Access is tricky at the remote location—plan accordingly.

The Hog Wallow: 3200 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Road (thehogwallow.com)

Not only does the Hog Wallow sound like something from a Lord of the Rings -type setting, it also has everything you’d expect from a good pub: delicious food with huge portions, an excellent bar and great shows. You’ll be able to catch a wide variety of musical acts, from funk to folk to reggae—a little something for everyone.

The International: 342 S. State St. #69 (internationalbarslc.com)

With plenty of room for bands to play, pool tables, great drinks and a cool atmosphere, every Friday and Saturday night promises great shows and a crowd ready to jam out and have a good time. They have locals playing there all the time, plus fun events like their Goth Nights or other dance parties.

Johnny’s: 165 E. 200 South (johnnysslc.com)

Great vibes, reasonably-priced drinks and tasty food is what you can expect during a night out at Johnny’s. Plus, superb music, obviously. This low-key downtown spot is ideal for bringing a group of friends, listening to tunes and shooting some pool. There’s plenty of room to hang out— and in the winter, you can head out to the heated patio for some fresh air. A night at Johnny’s is a night well-spent.

Kilby Court: 741 S. Kilby Ct. (kilbycourt.com)

What is there to say about Kilby that hasn’t been said before? The legendary venue has had plenty of top-notch artists pass through, and it’s almost like a rite of passage for locals to play at Kilby. It may be on the smaller side, but when a crowd gathers to have fun together, it feels like the space is limitless. If you have the chance to go to a show at Kilby, do it!

The Red Light: 130 25th St., Ogden (redlight25.com)

If you’re looking for a great night at the bar in Ogden, the Red Light is a must-stop. They can pack people in for great shows, but they also have outdoor seating, and serve excellent cocktails and food. You can catch Ogden and SLC local musicians alike during their Live Band nights on Fridays as well as Live Music events on Saturdays.

Liquid Joe’s: 1249 E. 3300 South, Millcreek (liquidjoes.net)

This cozy spot offers great drinks and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Parking can be a little tough, so consider getting there ahead of time or using public transportation or rideshares. A big focus at Liquid Joe’s is open mic nights, for which they will actually provide instruments. This is another great spot with variety and unique vibes if you’re looking for something new on a weekend night.

Maverik Center: 3200 S. Decker Lake Dr., West Valley (maverikcenter.com)

The Maverik Center is where you’ll come to see big, big shows, with past acts including George Strait, Elton John, Carrie Underwood and Tool. It’s always worth it to keep an eye on their calendar, lest you miss an act you really love. The multipurpose indoor stadium is huge, so you may want to plan on taking Trax via the Green Line in order to circumvent the parking and major traffic after the show.

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Molly Burch performs at Kilby Court

MUSIC VENUES: INDOOR SPOTS

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Metro Music Hall: 615 W. 100 South (metromusichall.com)

This mid-sized venue features a lot of great locals as well as acts who are passing through town. It boasts a unique atmosphere, great staff and an excellent variety of shows. One night you could be moshing to a hardcore metal band, and the next, singing to your favorite folk acts. They also host drag shows aplenty, and offer some booth reservations, but Metro is primarily a standing venue.

Quarters/DLC: 5 E. 400 South (quartersslc.com)

For lovers of music and retro gaming, Quarters Arcade Bar is absolute heaven. Their show space, The DLC, is a cozy setup that facilitates locals thriving on stage, as attendees are able to be right up in the action with hardly any space between floor and stage. The uniquely intimate setting helps you feel like you’re getting up close and personal with the performers, while the wall of lights illuminates the performers working their magic in the background.

Soundwell: 149 W. 200 South (soundwellslc.com)

Here’s yet another mid-sized venue in the heart of downtown SLC that offers a huge variety of artists. It’s a great place to feel comfortable, where you can let your hair down and enjoy. Soundwell can feel small and intimate, but it’s big enough to have a fun time with a crowd of equally-excited concertgoers. Plus, many visitors have commented about the cleanliness of the bathrooms, so you can quiet your anxieties about gross facilities on the premises.

The State Room: 638 S. State St. (thestateroompresents.com)

The State Room is a little different than your typical venue. You’ll want to come here if you’re interested in a more cozy and intimate experience. It’s still fun, of course, and those who aren’t able to stand for hours on end will enjoy it here.

The State Room offers an excellent bar with rows of theater seating and an open dance floor for those who do want to get up and move a little.

The Urban Lounge: 241 S. 500 East (theurbanloungeslc.com)

With performances almost every night, this intimate venue allows for good times and even better shows featuring local favorites, smaller national acts and even unique events like the recent Sapphic Factory: A Modern Queer Joy Dance Party. Like with most places in SLC, parking can be tricky, but be sure not to park in the IHC lot south of the venue, because you will be towed. Enjoy some fun events and great cocktails.

Velour: 135 N. University Ave., Provo (velourlive.com)

Velour’s great reputation for longevity and for offering a place for locals to flourish is well-earned. Neon Trees have credited Velour for launching their career, and it’s truly a fun place to come enjoy shows. It doesn’t have seating, and is on the smaller side, but that’s all part of the charm. Velour has fantastic staff, ambiance and decor. It’s a little music haven in Utah county.

MUSIC VENUES: OUTDOOR SPOTS

Ed Kenley Amphitheater: 403 N. Wasatch Dr., Layton (davisarts.org)

This Davis County venue offers a great option for folks to have fun outside while delighting in killer entertainment. This 1800-capacity venue offers seats and a lawn where you can bring your own chairs, coolers and strollers to enjoy the show (check the policy page for specific restrictions). There are also great accessibility options for wheelchairs, and ASL interpreters available with advance notice. The location being smack dab in the middle of beautiful Layton Commons Park makes it even more fun for the whole family.

Gallivan Center: 50 E. 200 South (thegallivancenter.com)

While this multi-purpose venue provides a spot for everything from outdoor festivals to free movies, it’s also a terrific spot for music like the Excellence in the Community Concert Series showcasing local artists. You can also enjoy live performances on select weekdays during the lunch hour in the summer months.

Granary Live: 742 S. 500 West (granarylive.com)

It may be a newer venue to SLC, but it has brought some great acts to town so far: The Roots, Ludacris, Tyga and the Utah is for Lovers Festival. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what great acts will come through, because Granary is an excellent outdoor venue with a lot of space, allowing artists to customize the stage. Plus, you can’t beat seeing a gorgeous sunset above while you listen to your favorite music.

Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre: 2188 Red

Butte Canyon Road (redbuttegarden.org)

Every summer, this already-beautiful location comes alive with an exceptional season of performances from some of the world’s best artists. The views are spectacular, and you can bring along a picnic and blanket for the lawn seating to catch your favorite bands. Be ready for the season announcement, though, because shows tend to sell out quickly.

Sandy Amphitheater: 1300 E. 9400 South, Sandy (sandyamp.com)

The Sandy Amphitheater is one of the best places in the Salt Lake Valley for a show and a view. You get the stage with a stunning backdrop, and are able to watch the sun set between musical sets while you hang out and enjoy. There are plenty of seats and great acts who come through. This is an excellent place for the whole family to visit, but they do serve alcohol to those of age. This is a must-see venue for those who are obsessed with the natural beauty Utah has to offer.

Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre: 5150

Upper Ridge Rd., West Valley City (utahfirstamp.com)

When you think “arena rock,” this is probably the place you’re going to go to get your fix. The biggest acts in the world hit this newly-rebranded spot during the warm-weather months, so expect to share your experience with several thousand of your soon-to-be-closest (at least in physical proximity) friends. Logistics for attending aren’t always ideal, but you won’t find the A-list headlines anywhere else. CW

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MUSIC PICK S

Anime Girlfriend, Glue Coast, Stay Out, Hazel Paul @ Kilby Court 7/18

It’s important to acknowledge our biases. For example, I will admit that emo music holds a special place in my heart, and I’ll get very excited when I see excellent local emo acts have shows coming up. I became a fan of Anime Girlfriend last summer when I interviewed them about how the band came together and the inspiration for their music. They dub their sound “Mountain West emo,” and it feels like something current or former emo kids in Utah can claim. Some standouts from them include tracks like “Pretty Boy” and “thoreau.” Joining AGF is another fantastic emo group, Glue Coast. “Salt Lake emo, but we’ve got a trombone,” their Instagram states. And that they make “sad music for cool uncles.” Their most popular track, “Macho Man,” has that quintessential sound you look for when you turn towards this genre, just with a trombone thrown in for a little extra spice. Stay Out and Hazel Paul are also on the bill, rounding it out and making this a show to look forward to. Check out this awesome lineup on Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the allages show are $13.88 and can be found at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

WEEKLY LINEUP

THURSDAY, JULY 17

FRIDAY,

SATURDAY,

MUSIC PICK S

Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Metro Music Hall 7/19

The Voodoo Glow Skulls are red hot. Formed back in 1988 by brothers Frank, Eddie and Jorge Casillas and close friend, Jerry O’Neill, the ska-core legends from Southern California had a hand in the amalgamation of the ’90s sound. “I guess we were influenced by what was going on; it was mostly the L.A. bands that were going on in the mid-to-late ’80s, bands like Fishbone, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction,” Eddie Casillas told Goldmine Mag. “I would say that the 2 Tone era of ska, all the British stuff, that was a big deal. We were kind of a bastardization of everything we liked.” As it should be. The mix of styles meant that they fell between a large number of stools in terms of getting a following—and when the singer crowd-surfs to the back of the stalls, climbs up on the balcony, dives back into the crowd then surfs back to the stage, you know there is something special going on. For a primer on the Skulls, I’d start with the LP Firme —it’s hard, fast and loud. Their latest full-length, Livin’ the Apocalypse, maintains their traditional ska-punk sound. Voodoo Glow Skulls are always a phenomenal live act; all of the albums are great, but you have to see them in the flesh to fully appreciate them. Bite Me Bambi and Atypical Heroes open. Catch these musicians at Metro Music Hall on Saturday, July 19. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $21.87 and can be found at 24tix.com. (Mark Dago)

AID Equipment Company LLC seeks to employ a Control and Automation Engineer (f/t) in Sandy, UT to Design intricate electronic control systems for mechanical and electrical applications, including creating control circuits and algorithms for various electromechanical and pneumatic devices and systems. Req: Bach Deg in Control Automation Engineering OR Electronic Engineering with 12 mos of exp. Must have 12 months of experience with Control Systems Design, Industrial Automation Systems, Electrical Machines, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Distributed Control System (DCS), Process Automation, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Human Machine Interface (HMI), Servo Systems and Drives, MATLAB and Simulink.

Job may require travel within the state for a day for site visits. Send resume to Troy Harris, Partner at t.harris@aideq.com

SHADES (ALIX PEREZ B2B EPROM) @ Boxpac Project 7/19

We are officially in the height of summer, with long, hot nights that are perfect for dancing. Boxpac Project, the warehouse that is home for Mutiny Presents shows, is hosting SHADES this weekend, and you don’t want to miss it. SHADES is a collaborative project between drum-and-bass producer Alix Perez (Alix Depauw from Belgium) and EPROM (Alexander Dennis from Oregon), known for their innovative and bass-heavy electronic music. It’s a unique fusion of their strengths, and explores a blend of electronica, dubstep, halftime, drum-and-bass, techno, acid house and hip-hop. Really, it’s the perfect mix of American and U.K. bass. Their music is characterized by sorta slanted, unconventional grooves, as well as a hard-yet-graceful composition. SHADES’ self-titled debut EP, released on Alpha Pup Records, carries their distinctive sound with tracks like “The Serpent,” “Chiron,” “Minotaur” and “Into Light.” If you’re into a bit of a darker atmosphere and genre-bending, you will be a fan of SHADES. They take influences from a variety of genres like future hip-hop, glitch hop and experimental electronic music. It’s not the “aggressive bass music” trap of trying to sound evil; rather, the entire vibe and music match with multi-layered basslines and 1990s-to-early-2000s hip-hop boom-bap style of drums. The show starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 19. Tickets cost $40.50 and sell out fast, so don’t wait! Go to wl.seetickets.us.

(Arica

Roberts)

Volbeat @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre 7/19

Since launching in 2001, Copenhagenbased band Volbeat has had it both ways: the popular group has honed its brand of hard-rock (with elements of early, vintage rock ‘n roll) while appealing to an audience that extends well beyond rock fans. Few groups have been as successful as the Danish quartet at maintaining their musical integrity while continuing to grow their fan base decades into their careers. Guitarist

fit into the death metal he had been playing with his previous group. Recruiting like-minded musicians including drummer Jon Larsen, Poulsen developed a sound that carried forth the power and energy of metal, balancing it with classic and timeless musical styles like blues, rockabilly and soul. Volbeat’s first seven albums all went Gold or Platinum in Denmark; immediately upon its June 2025 release, God of Angels Trust soared to the #1 spot on charts in five countries, and at press time the album was rising on Billboard ’s album chart in the U.S. as well. Volbeat comes to the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and up, and are available at ticketmaster.com. (Bill Kopp)

Railroad Earth w/ Yonder Mountain String Band @ Granary Live 7/23

Those who still consider bluegrass the product of old-time musicians strumming banjos on a back porch in the hills of Appalachia are obviously unaware of the populist approach birthed by a new generation of artists that has brought that music to the masses. Consequently, a bill headlined by two of its leading lights, Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band, provide a perfect primer for how a traditional tapestry has been turned upside down for today’s listeners. For their part, Railroad Earth boasts unlikely origins, having originated in New Jersey, far from any hillbilly habitat. Nevertheless, over the course of the past 25 years, the band—which takes its name from the Jack Kerouac poem “October in the Railroad Earth”—has proven its prowess blending nu-grass, folk, rock, country and other Americana influences through a sprawling improvisational sound. Yonder Mountain String Band shares a similar style. “Yonder has always had one foot in the bluegrass world and one in the jam band scene,” singer/guitarist Adam Aijala states in a band bio. “We have a deep love and respect for both genres. We’re now considered the ideal jam band for the bluegrass crowd and a very cool bluegrass band for the jam band devotees.” It’s that open-ended and open-minded attitude that makes this double bill a very cool combination. Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country perform at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 at Granary Live. Tickets cost $28.94-$51.11 (including fees) at tixr.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

Michael Poulsen started the band as a vehicle for his artistic inclinations that didn’t

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES

(March 21-April 19)

For the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, fire has profound cultural meanings. It’s a symbol of innovation and inspiration, a mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds and a conduit for communication with ancestors. Through rituals, fire is a purifying force that helps people reconnect with their purpose, heal relationships and catalyze change in the community. In the coming weeks, I hope you will be aligned with this. What are you ready to ignite for the sake of nurturing and care? What truths need light and heat? What visions would benefit from surges of luminosity?

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)

In the Nahuatl language spoken by Indigenous Mexicans, nepantla describes an in-between space. It’s a liminal threshold where transition is in process. The old ways have fallen away, but the new ways are not fully formed. It’s unsettling and confusing, yet seeded with potential for creative change. I suspect you are now in a state like nepantla . Please understand that this isn’t a crisis. It’s a chrysalis. Any discomfort you feel is not a sign of failure, but a harbinger of the wisdom and power that will come by molting the identity you have outgrown. I hope you will honor the rawness and speak tenderly to yourself. You are not lost; you are mid-ritual.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

The sea slug Elysia chlorotica is a small creature that performs a remarkable feat: It eats algae and steals chloroplasts, incorporating them into its own body. Afterward, the slug photosynthesizes sunlight like a plant. I believe you are doing a version of this Some useful influence or presence you have absorbed is integrating into your systems. You’re making it your own now. This isn’t theft, but creative borrowing. You’re not copying; you’re synthesizing and synergizing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Ancient beekeepers in Anatolia carved hives into rock faces, coaxing honey from cliffs. This practice was designed to protect bees from weather and predators while maximizing honey production. The bees adapted well to their unusual homes. I suspect, Cancerian, that in the coming weeks, your sweetness and bounty may also thrive in unlikely structures. It could take a minute or two for you to adjust, but that won’t be a problem. Your nectar-making instincts will guide you. So I advise you not to wait for the perfect container before beginning your work. Make honey in the best available setting.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

I laughed until I sobbed as you earnestly played the game of love even after the rules had changed. I sighed till I panted as you dredged up a new problem to avoid fixing an overripe hassle. I rolled my eyes until I got dizzy as you tried to figure out the differences between stifling self-control and emancipating self-control. But all that’s in the past, right, Leo? Now I’m preparing to cheer until my voice is raspy as you trade in a dried-up old obsession in favor of a sweet, fresh, productive passion—and outgrow all the fruitless nuisances.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

The ancient scribes of Mesopotamia etched records onto clay tablets with styluses, pressing wedgeshaped marks into wet earth. Once baked, these tablets endured for thousands of years. Some are still readable. In my astrological assessment, you are undergoing a metaphorically comparable process. Messages and expressions forming within you are meant to last. They may not win immediate attention and applause. But you already suspect how crucial they will be to both your own future and the destinies of those you care for. Be bold, decisive, and precise as you choose your words.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Is there any aspect of your life or character that is still unripe even though it is critical to your life-long journey? Have you held on to your amateur status or remained a bit dilettantish beyond the time when you might have progressed to the next highest level? Are you still a casual dabbler in a field where you could ultimately become masterful? If you answered yes to these queries, now is a perfect moment to kick yourself in the butt and leap to the next level. Waiting around for fate to kick your butt would be a mistake.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Many astrologers say Virgo is the most detail-oriented, meticulous sign. I think you Scorpios may be the most methodical and thorough of all the signs, which means that you, too, can be meticulous and detail-oriented. A prime example is the Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840–1917). Eventually, his work became worldrenowned, but his career developed gradually because of his painstaking patience and scrupulous devotion to excellence. I propose we make him your role model for now. Inspired by him, resist pressure for immediate results. Trust in the slow, steady refinement process.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Here are half of your words of power for the coming days: windfall godsend and boon . The other half are potion remedy and healing agent If you’re lucky, those terms will blend and overlap. The blessings that come your way will be in the form of cures and fixes. I’m being understated here so as to not sound too wildly excited about your immediate future. But I suspect you will wrangle at least one amazing victory over hardship. Your chances of a semi-miraculous visitation by a benevolent intervention are as high as they have ever been.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The Chinese character for “listening” contains symbols for ears, eyes and heart. I interpret this to signify that it’s not enough to seek the truth with just one of your faculties. They must all be engaged and working together to get the full story. You are wise to survey the world with your whole being. Keep these meditations in mind during the coming weeks, Capricorn. Your natural inclination is to be practical, take action and get things done. But for now, your main superpower will be listening to everything. So my advice is to listen with your skin. Listen with your breath. Listen with your gut. Let your attention be so complete that the world softens and speaks to you about what you really need to know.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

If you would like to glide into alignment with astrological rhythms, give gifts to your two closest allies. These offerings should inspire their ambitions, not their cravings to be comfortable. They shouldn’t be practical necessities or consumer fetishes, but rather provocative tools or adult toys. Ideally, they will be imaginative boons that your beloved companions have been shy about asking for or intriguing prods that will help beautify their self-image. Show them you love both the person they are now and the person they are becoming.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

Piscean photographer Ansel Adams is so renowned that he is in the International Photography Hall of Fame. We know the moment his lifelong passion erupted—at 14, his family gave him a simple camera and took him to Yosemite National Park in California. “The splendor of Yosemite burst upon us, and it was glorious,” he wrote. “One wonder after another descended upon us. A new era began for me.” In the coming months, I foresee you encountering a comparable turning point—awakening you to a marvel that will become an enduring presence in your life. Be alert. Better yet, declare your intention to ensure it happens and you’re ready for it.

Go to realastrology.com for Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text-message horoscopes. Audio horoscopes also available by phone at 877-873-4888 or 900-950-7700.

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Con Artists

Scammers and fraudsters are just a common fact of life. From credit card hackers to criminals who pretend to be family members, cops or IRS representatives, it seems everyone has been or is a potential victim of something nefarious.

One of the most costly crimes can be what is known as title fraud, or deed theft, and we’re on high alert in the real estate industry. Almost weekly, I get notices from the Washington County, Park City or Salt Lake Boards of Realtors about someone pretending to be someone else trying to sell a property they don’t own.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Haydn’s nickname

5. “White Christmas” record label

10. Big bikes

14. Faucet issue

15. Eyed lewdly

16. LGBT rights activist Windsor

17. Twain protagonist

18. Black, in Bordeaux

19. Regal title

20. Marvel series from 2013-2020

23. Conical cooker

24. “Boy king” of Egypt

25. Info that often gets encrypted

34. Geller who claims paranormal ability

35. Memo taker

36. Like failed goals

37. Speakers between woofers and tweeters, for short

39. Like some baskets

So how does this set up? The crooks look up public records of owners—of land or homes—in the county. They may or may not drive by to see what it looks like, and they simply pretend to be the owner and call a licensed real estate agent.

The fraudster might say something like: “I own this piece of land and need to sell it fast. I’ll sell it now for half of what it’s worth because I’m in a time crunch. Can you help?”

They go further by forging documents, showing ownership or transfer of ownership with their name on it, and forge driver’s licenses or other IDs. So if you’re dealing with someone via text, FaceTime or Zoom, you don’t necessarily see the real documents when they photograph or hold up proof of ID/ownership to the camera.

The goal is that they can quickly “sell” the property they don’t actually own, get the cash and not get caught before the whole thing unravels. If your property deed gets illegally transferred, it could be hell getting your property back without the thief encumbering your property with loans and liens you never agreed to be a part of as the true owner.

You may get phone calls or mail from companies wanting to sell you “deed insurance.” Forget that! You can sign up for “Property Watch” for free through the Tax Assessor’s Office, which will enable you to keep track of recorded changes to your property with free alerts you get by text or email.

This allows you to take immediate action and make sure that bogus efforts to own or encumber your property with a fake lien can be investigated and, hopefully, cleared.

I’ve heard stories from escrow officers around the state of ex-wives and ex-husbands, estranged family members and even neighbors who attempt to gain what isn’t their right to own via fraudulent means. And some do succeed for a while, until the police and/or the courts get involved, which can take time and cost money.

It’s standard at the close of escrow to sign a notice that wire fraud is rampant, alerting both buyers and sellers to the potential threats of losing their money in an instant, perhaps forever. Ugh. ■

41. Domesticated

42. To have, in Le Havre

44. Neared, with “to”

46. Former Portuguese colony in India

47. It only has 60 feet between bases

50. Part of RSVP

51. Winnipeg-to-Memphis dir.

52. How additional items are described in toy ads (and a hint to the circled letters)

60. ___ gobi (Indian potato dish)

61. “Lady Bird” actress Saoirse

62. Still-life fruit

64. Tabby noise

65. Bar mixer

66. Pie crust ingredient

67. X Games airer

68. Refuge from the sun

69. “Where the Sidewalk ___” (Shel Silverstein book)

DOWN

1. Adobe export

2. Operatic solo

3. Send an e-notification to

4. Nonprofit journalism org.

5. “Ya got me”

6. They may easily bruise

7. Ad agency award

8. “What’s My Line?” panelist Bennett

9. “___ Fideles” (Christmas carol)

10. Unsure

11. “Garfield” canine

12. St. Pauli ___ (beer brand)

13. Pomegranate bit

21. Halfway through the day

22. “Hotel Rwanda” group

25. Alternative to Nikes

26. “Wicked” star Cynthia

27. Free from

28. Maldives landform

29. Video game stage

30. “Judge ___” (1995 Stallone movie)

31. Adult insect

32. ___ chiffon (pale yellow color)

33. Position

38. Can’t stand anymore?

40. Bother

43. Slugger’s stats

45. Over and done with

48. Push notices

49. Small human-shaped board game piece

52. Unaltered

53. Soccer cheers

54. Curved path

55. Friend of Piglet

56. “The King and I” character

59. Short gridiron gain

63. Map lines, for short

Last week’s answers

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to 9. No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Solving time is typically 10 to 30 minutes,

57. Viking’s mission

58. Rest (against)

NEWS of the WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

Government in Action

Max McKinney, 15, of Spooner, Wisconsin, thought he was “working hard and doing the right thing” when he built a charming fishing bait stand on his family’s farmland, AgWeb reported on July 8. From the wooden 6-by-15-foot shed, McKinney sold bait, sodas and candy to anglers heading to Spooner Lake nearby. But Washburn County zoning officials shut him down after the second weekend of sales with a cease-and-desist order. McKinney’s grandfather, Tom Foss, gave him his blessing to build the stand. “We encouraged Max. My grandson ... is the kind of kid this country needs more of. Who threatens a 15-year-old over selling ice cream, worms and T-shirts?” he said. “The answer is bullies and bureaucrats.” McKinney has three other jobs: “I want to be a doctor in the future, and I’m willing to work hard and save money any way I can.” County zoning administrator Dale Beers said no officials visited the stand or spoke with McKinney before or after the violation was issued. “Age does not matter to our ordinances,” he said. Foss filed a formal complaint in person but said “officials were defensive right away. Their response was, ‘Our decision is final.’ People should be disgusted by this because it doesn’t pass the smell test.”

Bright Idea

Looking to get a little more classical music in your life? Just wander over the line while driving in Fujairah in the UAE and listen to the stirring sounds of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, courtesy of the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy. The Associated Press reported on July 7 that when drivers hit the grooves in the road, the bestknown parts of the composition are played—especially at 60mph, when the tune is just right. Academy director Ali Obaid Al Hefaiti said the project is “focused on spreading the art culture. The combination of music in our lives and our normal lives,” he said. He believes it is the first “singing shoulder” in the Arab world.

Latest Religious Messages

After Trista Lawson of St. Louis rear-ended a pickup truck on July 8, she allegedly told Spring Township, Pennsylvania, police that she was “listening to the voice of God,” WJAC-TV reported. Lawson was driving her Mazda sedan in Pleasant Gap at 100mph when she hit the truck, which sent it crashing into the front of a local smoke shop. Lawson had reportedly also hit multiple other vehicles before the truck. She was charged with accidents involving occupied vehicles or structures and drug-related charges, and bail was set at $25,000.

Unclear on the Concept

Here’s a little tip for Jesse Laurence Hale, 46, of Hyrum, Utah: Don’t make a kiddie porn pic your lock screen. Hale was a patient at Logan Regional Hospital last week; when he checked out, he forgot his mobile phone, the Cache Valley Daily reported. On July 3, staff at the hospital contacted Logan City Police to say that they’d seen a pornographic photo of a young child on the screen. On July 7, Hale went to the police to inquire about the phone; he said the photo had been sent to him and he hadn’t deleted it. Hale told officers it would be “nice to pay a fine or take a class” rather than going to jail, where he claimed he wouldn’t survive. With a search warrant, police found 19 more child sexual abuse photos in the phone and arrested him on felony charges. He asked them not to tell his mom. He’s being held without bail.

It’s Come to This

Changchun Xidu FC, a soccer club in China’s League Two, was fined $4,100 for an incident on June 28, The New York Times reported. The Chinese Professional Football League said the team had “placed a number of feudal superstitious items in the away team’s dressing room” before its match with Shanxi Chongde Ronghai. The paper charms were printed with such threats as “By decree, Shanxi Chongde Ronghai must be defeated.” And evidently, it worked: Changchun Xidu won the match 2-0.

Pawesome!

An unnamed man hiking the Fee Glacier in Switzerland on July 4 suddenly broke through a snow bridge and fell 26 feet into a narrow crevasse, the Associated Press reported. He had a walkie-talkie and reached someone nearby, who alerted emergency responders, but his exact location was unknown. Luckily for him, his companion was his long-haired chihuahua, who paced patiently near the edge of the hole, where rescuers eventually saw him. They were able to rappel down the crevasse and bring the man out; he and his canine savior were flown to a hospital. “The dog is a fourlegged hero who may have saved his master’s life in a life-threatening situation,” gushed a statement from Air Zermatt, the rescue company.

Smooth Reaction

A crafty Canadian wasn’t going to let a damaged vehicle strand him in Strathcona Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, the Times Colonist reported. The unnamed man had started his hike on June 30, but he took a wrong turn in his 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, and it became stuck. But using his problem-solving skills (and various car parts), he built a two-wheeled wagon to carry his gear as he hiked for four days to a trailhead. From there, he caught a water taxi and got a lift to the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad headquarters on July 7. Search manager Richard Johns said he was impressed with the hiker’s “perseverance and survival mentality,” then ticked off the things he did wrong: no GPS or satellite phone, no 4-wheel-drive. Still, the squad found his appearance a “welcome surprise.”

The Tech Revolution

At U.S. Army bases, there’s an innovative new tool in warding off problematic wildlife, such as birds, KPVITV reported on July 10. The Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center has created an unmanned ground system: large plastic coyotes mounted to wheeled bases. “It all comes down to scare tactics,” said ERDC. Research continues to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning. What could go wrong? Roadrunner is watching.

The Passing Parade

Patrick Winslow of Big Torch Key, Florida, celebrated his 57th birthday on July 4 in style, WPLG-TV reported. Around 11:30 a.m., Winslow drove to the Conch Tour Train Depot in Key West and left his car running, with rock music blaring from the radio. He told employees there that he used to work for the company and asked for a tour of the train. But then he got into one of the trains and took off; the employees were “confused,” thinking maybe he had permission to drive the train. They were able to track Winslow with GPS; police found him at Southernmost Point Buoy, where they said he “exhibited rapid speech and appeared excited.” Winslow said he just “borrowed” the train because it was his birthday. Then they found a methamphetamine pipe in his pocket and charged him with burglary, grand theft auto and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held on $60,000 bond.

Saw That Coming

On July 5, a family from Paris left on holiday, headed to Morocco, Oddity Central reported. But during a 4:30 a.m. stop at a gas station, the 62-year-old man drove off without his wife—and didn’t realize it until about 190 miles later. The unnamed Parisian called emergency services but couldn’t remember which gas station he had stopped at. The couple’s 22-year-old daughter couldn’t help, as she’d been sleeping the whole time. Fortunately, by tracking her phone, police were able to locate the woman, who hadn’t left the gas station since being abandoned. They were reunited and continued on their trip with a good story to tell.