Interviews Archives - Utah Concert Review

February 1, 2023

Jessica Vosk

Broadway Star Jessica Vosk• January 25, 2022• Noorda Center

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Emily Muñoz

Jessica Vosk is a singer and actress best known for starring in the role of Elphaba, the lead in Wicked both on Broadway and on the show’s national tour. She has also performed on Broadway in The Bridges of Madison County, Finding Neverland, and the 2015 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Vosk has also performed concerts in some of the most famous venues across the country including New York City’s famous Lincoln Center and sold out the iconic Carnegie Hall. So having Jessica Vosk here in Utah at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Utah Valley University was a real honor.

August 31, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Nick Wold of DREAMERS

Los Angeles-via-Brooklyn band DREAMERS (Nick Wold and Nelson) have shared stages with the likes of X Ambassadors, The 1975, Bleachers, Atlas Genius, Catfish and The Bottlemen, and Weezer while garnering coverage from Fader, Entertainment Weekly and Paste, among others, and performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. In 2016, the band released their debut full-length album This Album Does Not Exist, featuring the top 10 Alternative radio hit, the electro-sprinkled pop gem “Sweet Disaster.” They just released their new single, “Robbery” and will be performing at The Complex with The Score on August 31!

We had the opportunity to chat with vocalist, Nick Wold yesterday. We talked about touring after the pandemic, songwriting, his first concert, and more! Enjoy!

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

UCR: Nick, how are you doing? It’s good to talk to you. So catch me up a little. How far into this tour are you?

Nick Wold: We’re kind of in the first leg I think. We’ve done like five shows out of 20. And yeah, we’re trucking because it’s our first tour back since the pandemic since the world ended.

UCR: Yeah. So how does that feel? It’s gotta be the craziest feeling to have that huge break and then be in front of people. In a way, does it feel like a new experience again or like an “old hat” kind of thing?

August 3, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Jordana

Twenty-one-year-old artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jordana recently released her new record Face The Wall. Jordana is a sonic chameleon, with every new release exploring a different and unexpected side of her musical palette, while remaining just as impressive and captivating as the previous one. This new record sees Jordana put her handmade, DIY indie pop charm to the side, in lieu of more polished pop bangers as she stepped into the studio for the first time.

Following the impossibly catchy “Catch My Drift,” the spare pop gem “Pressure Point,” and the 90s alt-rock pop homage “To The Ground” is “Go Slow.” The ascendant, titular track brings us to the heart of this album. Jordana explains, “‘Go Slow’ is about facing your self brought battles and acknowledging your imperfections. It’s about taking the time to work on yourself, no matter how much you want to rush it, to be the best version of yourself you can possibly be.” Listen to the song and watch the video directed by Luke Orlando (Charli XCX, Magdalena Bay, Tove Lo) HERE.

July 31, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Bill Payne of Little Feat

Little Feat will be at Sandy Amphitheater on August 1st. They will be celebrating the 45th Anniversary of their iconic live album Waiting for Columbus. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to chat with founding member Bill Payne.

July 8, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Lawrence Gowan of Styx

Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers Styx have hit the road with their friends REO Speedwagon on their Live and UnZoomed Tour. They’ll be joined by special guests, Loverboy. The tour stops off at USANA Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 9. We had the opportunity to catch up with Vocalist and Keyboardist, Lawrence Gowan a few weeks back. To purchase tickets to the Live and UnZoomed show click here. Hope you enjoy our conversation!

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

STYX L/R: Chuck Panozzo, Ricky Phillips, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, James “J.Y.” Young and Lawrence Gowan. Portrait shoot at Macon City Auditorium on October 4, 2014 in Macon, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for STYX)

UCR: As you know, Utah loves having you guys out here. You’re back out on the road with REO Speedwagon. Do you determine by tour who closes the show? Or is it a show by show decision?

June 12, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: M. Ward of She & Him

She & Him’s seventh studio album is a loving, LP-length tribute to one of the greatest living American songwriters and singers, Brian Wilson. Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson finds Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward diving deep into the legendary artist’s extensive songbook, offering fascinating and delectable new spins on time-honored classics and overlooked gems alike. These fourteen covers are infused with the familiar magic that She & Him fans know and love, opening a new window into Wilson’s iconic catalog. Wilson even features on a song with Zooey and M. Ward for the album, “Do It Again.” The band have enjoyed a friendship, and mutual appreciation, with Wilson over the years and She & Him was previously a guest vocalist on his 2015 album, No Pier Pressure. Recently, the band released “Darlin’”, the lead track and video from Melt Away.

She & Him will be stopping by Red Butte Garden Amphitheater on Tuesday, June 14. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to visit with M. Ward ahead of their Salt Lake City tour stop. Kevin and Ward discussed Melt Away, what goes into creating a good cover song, and much much more. Enjoy!

M. Ward was interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

June 7, 2022

UCR Interview: Kevin Baldes of Lit

Lit will be opening the Daybreak Summer Concert Series on SoDa Row on Friday, June 10th. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to chat with Lit bassist and backing vocalist, Kevin Baldes. We discuss Lit’s forthcoming album, Smells Like Gold, and a variety of other topics. Enjoy!

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

UCR So, first of all, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time. I’d like to talk to you a little bit about your new upcoming album. I’ve heard a few songs, the released songs, and it sounds like I don’t want to say “classic Lit”, but it has your sound, which I think your fans are going to be very excited about.

Kevin Baldes No, I take that as a compliment. To be honest with you, next to A Place in the Sun, it’s probably my favorite album. And I actually said something the other day to somebody that I would let it go toe to toe with A Place in the Sun. And I like it that much. And I’m the guy in the band that’s pushing to kick out a lot of the old songs in our set. Let’s just play a bunch of new stuff, which I know, like concert-goers and fans don’t really want that. But, I like it that much is what I’m getting at. But the band won’t let me throw nine new songs into the set.

June 1, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Murry Hammond of The Old 97’s

The Old 97’s will be headlining Schellraiser Festival in McGill, Nevada on June 3. The festival runs from June 2-5. We had the opportunity to chat with The Old 97’s bassist, vocalist, and acoustic guitarist, Murry Hammond. We talk about the festival, his favorite concert, and how The Old 97’s have stayed together all these years. Enjoy!

May 17, 2022

UCR Interview: Jake Scott

Pop singer-songwriter, producer, multiinstrumentalist, and recent Elektra Records signee Jake Scott will open for indie hitmaker Ben Rector on The Joy of Music: Live U.S. tour. The tour stops off in Utah for two shows at the Sandy Amphitheater on May 18 & 19. Scott will provide direct support for the first leg of dates, which wraps in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 5.

We had the opportunity to visit with Jake leading up to the Utah tour stops. Enjoy!

September 2, 2021

UCR INTERVIEW: Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze

Legendary and eternally hipster U.K. band Squeeze bring their Nomadband Tour to Red Butte Garden Amphitheater on Thursday, September 2. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to interview Squeeze’s lead guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist, Glenn Tilbrook. We had a really enjoyable conversation. Hope you enjoy it!