Thursday 12.18
nJERRY JOSEPH & HIS ELECTRIC BAND
nJerry Joseph is a local institution who doesn’t live here anymore. His imprint on the local music scene is so thick each of his tour stops in Salt Lake City feels rather like a homecoming. Joseph originally laid the foundation for his enduring legacy during the ’90s when he formed the Jackmormons, building on the popularity of his former group Little Women. These days, he’s a creative workhorse, spreading his talents among the Jackmormons, Stockholm Syndrome and his solo gig. Then there’s his symbiotic relationship with Widespread Panic. All the effort has paid off to a certain extent, but really, Joseph should be huge. With his gritty voice and refreshingly candid songwriting, he could be right up there with the likes of John Hiatt. Until that happens, enjoy having Joseph all to yourself—for two nights, no less! Bar Deluxe, 666 S. State, 9 p.m. (Also Friday, Dec. 19)
• Also Thursday: Swagger (Piper Down); Oh! Wild Birds (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Reggae Lounge (Monk’s); Behold The Moon, Vinyl Williams (Kilby Court); Furs, Tiny Lights, Naked Eyes (Urban Lounge)
nFriday 12.19
nUTAH FOOD BANK BENEFIT
nSLUG magazine managing editor Andrew Glassett is the Clark Kent of experimental electronic music. During the day, he interviews bands, writes profiles and pens reviews for the local publication. In his free time, Glassett goes medieval on his hard drive to produce some of the coolest, grooviest and at times super unsettling, computer-abetted compositions under the pseudonym Nolens Volens. I’m partial to “Bat” with its wonderfully creepy, infectious loops with a voice slowed, distorted and reversed: I’m coming over soon. I just want to talk.” Oh really? ’Cause it sounds like you want to wreak some havoc. Another gem: “Whipped Cream,” which juxtaposes female cries of pleasure with a sheep’s insistent baaaaaaaaahhhs. Glassett recently spent two months in San Francisco recording his new album and also joined TaughtMe on tour in Europe playing in his other project, Uzi & Ari. Whew! Catch him while you can, along with other local favorites Birthquake and Palace of Buddies tonight. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Info: KilbyCourt.com
SWOLLEN MEMBERS
nGood things come to those who wait. Loyal followers of Canada’s Swollen Members can breathe a little easier knowing the follow-up to the hip-hop collective’s 2006 release Black Magic is finally in the works. It’s been a long time coming, but according to emcee Prevail, “The music is like nothing you have ever heard from us,” with their signature sound further revolutionized in studio by the Dust Brothers. While tracks off Beautiful Death Machine are probably circling the Internet, checking out Swollen Members live is your best bet for previewing new material. Who knows what they have up their sleeve. Past songs feature samples by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana—maybe this time around they’ll call on fellow countrymen Broken Social Scene? Harry O’s, 427 Main, Park City, 9 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com
• Also Friday: Neil Diamond (ES Arena); Baylee Parks Benefit feat. Broke City (Pat’s BBQ); I Set My Friends on Fire (Studio 600); Envol (Artopia); Devour The Sky, My Own Time (Club Vegas); Illuminati (In the Venue); Lionfish, Labcoat, Elephante (Urban Lounge); Jerry Joseph & His Electric Band (Bar Deluxe); Shaky Trade, Jebu (Teazers, Ogden)
nSaturday 12.20
n
EDEN’S WATCHTOWER HOLIDAY SHOW
nFor many, traditional Christmas music is maddening. You don’t have to be a Grinch to hate “Jingle Bells.” Holiday stress tends to mutate even Bing Crosby’s glowing voice into the sound of fingernails clawing glass or, worse, Exorcist-style whistling. The good news is artists are increasingly taking matters into their own hands, recording fresh takes on old “favorites” or composing brand-new tracks to capture the essence of winter. Eden’s Watchtower’s second holiday compilation, Dead Trees: Volume 2, picks up where Volume 1 left off with fairly faithful versions of classic standards that put just enough spin on the originals to make them pop. Theta Naught adds an aching cello to balance out the familiar rat-a-tat-tat of “The Little Drummer Boy” while Eliza Wren wraps her “Christmas Medley” in a slightly gothic, off-kilter timbre. Pick up a copy at tonight’s 7th annual holiday show and enjoy live performances by Theta Naught, Calico (featuring Andrew Shaw who, as The Platte, recently released a winter EP, The Friendly Beasts), Patsy Ohio, Iberis and other local acts determined to spread a little cheer this season. Nobrow Coffee & Tea, 315 E. Broadway, 4-10 p.m. All-ages.
• Also Saturday: Kid Theodore, Drew Danburry (Kilby Court); Swollen Members (In the Venue); Jim Bone (Pat’s BBQ); Nite Lite: Joe DiPadova (W Lounge); Reverend Dead Eye’s No Man Gospel (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Allred Holiday Show (Velour, Provo)
nMonday 12.22
nROOTS & CULTURE NIGHT
nSalt Lake City isn’t exactly the reggae capitol of the world, but thanks to Babylon Down local residents can soak up the best dancehall/reggae sounds each week at one of the crew’s two residencies. The longtime hosts behind Reggae Lounge Mondays at Monk’s recently moved the Lounge to Thursdays and picked up a Roots & Culture Night Mondays at The Urban Lounge. Double your pleasure, stay informed and shake your body with DJ Rebel, Tall Man and Ras Otis. The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Info: BabylonDown.com
• Also Monday: Locals Night: The Platte (Slowtrain)
nTuesday 12.23
nBlueroot (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Michigan, Pilot This Plane Down (Kilby Court); Palace of Buddies, Birthquake, Limehouse Tiger (Urban Lounge)
Wednesday 12.24
nNightmare Before Christmas Costume Ball (Piper Down); Xmas Eve Karaoke (Burt’s TIki Lounge)
Coming Up
nThe Future Of The Ghost CD Release (Kilby Court, Dec. 26); All Systems Fail (Baxter’s, Dec. 30); Royal Crown Revue (Depot, Dec. 31); Rockapella: 2nd Osmond Generation (McKay Events Center, Dec. 31); Ted Dancin, The Wolfs (Urban Lounge, Dec. 31); New Year’s Ever Party (Area 51, Dec. 31); Loiter Cognition, Fews & Twos, Bombs & Beating Hearts (Artopia, Dec. 31)
