Jade Bird October 4, 2021 The State Room

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

As a concert reviewer, I’ve had the opportunity to see many artists as they’re starting out.  I’m always thrilled to see them move on to the next step of their career.  An album release, a TV appearance, or what’s most impressive to me, when they stop back by Utah but in a larger venue than before.  For example, we were able to cover Conan Grey, when he was at Kilby Court then again on his next tour at The Depot.  Not everyone has that kind of trajectory in their music career so it’s exciting to see when it does happen.  

Out of all these artists,  my favorite has been Jade Bird.  Jade was one of the very first artists to reach out to Utah Concert Review for coverage when she was coming to play Utah.  Of course, this was exciting to me. One, the website was gaining some traction, and two, someone saw the value in it that they would want us out to cover their show.  I eagerly accepted the invitation without having ever heard of Jade Bird or listened to her music.  She was opening for Son Little at The State Room and that was about all I knew. But upon seeing that initial performance, I’ve become a big fan ever since.  

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UCR INTERVIEW: Grace Pettis of Nobody’s Girl

Nobody’s Girl: BettySoo, Rebecca Loebe, Grace Pettis

Americana/folk-pop supergroup, Nobody’s Girl features acclaimed singer-songwriters
BettySoo, Rebecca Loebe, and Grace Pettis. Each member of the band has a budding solo career of their own. They joined together and released an EP in 2018. They returned to the studio in September 2019 and recorded their first full length album. After waiting patiently through a worldwide pandemic their self-titled LP is due to be released on July 30.

I had the opportunity to visit with Grace Pettis about the upcoming album, her solo career, and a whole lot more. Enjoy!

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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit September 19, 2019, Red But Garden

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Erica Fasoli

Do you ever hear your friends or peers mention a band or solo artist with such reverence and admiration that you start to wonder, even though you feel like you love music more than anyone ever, “How have I not heard of this person/band”?  That was me some years ago with Jason Isbell. His name would come up in social circles or I’d be at a concert waiting for a band to come on and I’d hear people mention how they’d seen Jason Isbell live and how any fan of live music needs to see him.  When people had asked me, “Have you been to a Jason Isbell concert?” and I’d say that I hadn’t the look of shame and embarrassment for me meant only one thing, I’d better see Jason Isbell live or lose all credibility.  

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Branson Anderson September 20, 2019, Kilby Court

By: Katie Barber

Photo Credit: Alex Wardell

The crowd was forced to part as a casket was brought into the room. Its pallbearers strained under the weight before laying it down next to Kilby Court’s stage. The wildly unexpected sound of an industrial saw ripped through idle chatter—something was breaking free from within the casket. Emerged a figure with dark hair, a blue bandana around his neck, and a face painted ghostly white. Branson Anderson was back from the dead. 

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The Wood Brothers August 28, 2019, Red Butte Garden

By: Erica Fasoli

Photo Credit: Erica Fasoli

On Wednesday night, a unique combination of Americana, folk, and country music filled the air in the foothills of Salt Lake City. I walked into Red Butte Garden Amphitheater at quarter to 7:00 pm and already the place was full. People had claimed their space with chairs and blankets and were enjoying the surprisingly cool weather. One thing that I love about this outdoor venue is the atmosphere. There’s always been such a positive vibe – people sitting around enjoying each other’s company over a beer and some laughs. Thursday night was no different. Everyone was there to have a good time. 

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Shakey Graves August 13, 2019, Red Butte Garden

By: Tiffany Mull

This World Needs More Appalachian Murder Ballads

Photo By: Tiffany Mull

Southern Gothic is one of my favorite literary genres. I’d argue that certain musicians fit into this genre as well, Shakey Graves among them. Never mind his playfully macabre alias, the themes of his songs touch on death and decay, murder, alcoholism, drug abuse, execution by electric chair, and the way ex-lovers haunt one another. All this, though, is presented with good humor and a (wholesomely) wicked Texas grin, side-by-side with themes of shirking the predictable life and embracing the shiftless, devil-may-care habits of a tramp. Shakey’s musical style is tricky to pin down. Clearly influenced by bluegrass, hobo folk, blues, rock, and country, it might be safest to simply say, “Americana.”

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SLC Twilight w/ Blind Pilot, Foxwarren & The Hollering Pines

By: Evelyn Salazar

Photo By: Evelyn Salazar

Whenever you think of a concert or live music what comes to mind?  Loud music? A crowd going nuts and dancing around? The frontman running around the stage and getting the crowd going?  Those aren’t wrong answers. But sometimes a great concert can be the opposite of all of those things. Such was the case at Last Thursday’s SLC Twilight with Blind Pilots.  If you wanted to spend a summer evening sitting outside kicking back and relaxing while listening to some great music then this was the show for you. 

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UCR Interview- Daniel Young of The Hollering Pines

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo By: Ryan Tanner

Note from Kev:

I feel like I’ve been circling around The Hollering Pines for a few years. The first time I saw Marie Bradshaw, Kiki Jane Sieger, Dylan Schorer, Daniel Young and M. Horton Smith perform was at The State Room for a Bruce Springsteen tribute show where a variety of local artists performed Born in the USA in its entirety. A few nights later I saw many of these artists perform with Americana super group The Lower Lights at their annual Christmas concert. It was only after that show I realized that these five members were their own band. I quickly jumped onboard the Hollering Pines train and don’t plan on getting off any time soon.

This Friday (June 7) The Hollering Pines will be releasing their third album, Moments in Between. Concurrently they will be performing an album release show at Commonwealth Studios.

I had the opportunity to visit with Hollering Pines drummer, Daniel Young leading up to the show and album release. Hope you enjoy our conversation!

The Interview

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