- Langhorne Slim
FRIDAY 10.30
LANGHORNE SLIM, DAWES, THE DEVIL WHALE
Just a few weeks ago, Deer Tick stopped through town—a band whose detractors lament their audacity to approximate some type of country sound despite a background loosely tied to indie rock. Such criticism seems petty and off-mark, particularly when one considers groups like tonight’s featured artists—Langhorne Slim (currently touring in support of the brand new Be Set Free), Dawes (basking in Paste magazine’s adoration) and Utah’s The Devil Whale (on the heels of a California gig with Those Darlins), each of which in their own way strive to, as the local openers like to say, “be our own genre.” Sure, all three fall under the loose umbrella of Americana, but they also incorporate elements of blues, folk and even psychedelic rock into their respective sounds. We should be celebrating and encouraging such genre-bending. Plus, after seeing Langhorne whoop it up onstage, all you’ll be thinking is, “Where can I get me some of that?” Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 9 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com
SUNDAY 11.1
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT
They say it’s best to write what you know, but on Jason Isbell’s self-titled sophomore release he hits home with stories told from other folks’ perspectives—the experience of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, as on “Soldiers Get Strange.” The former Drive-By Trucker speaks from the heart and with an honesty that makes it easy to relate to all of the characters featured on the album. His gritty take on love and loss lets a song like “Cigarettes & Wine” get under your skin, scratching at that memory of the one who got away: “She lives down inside of me still/ Rolled up like a $20 bill/ She left me alone with these pills/ And the last of my youth.” Grab some whiskey and Kleenex—this night’s going to be a doozie. The State Room, 638 S. State, 8 p.m. Tickets: TheStateRoomSLC.com
MONDAY 11.2
DAVID BAZAN, SAY HI
The old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” might apply to antiperspirant, but it falls flat in regards to music—or musicians, in this case. David Bazan first made his mark in Pedro The Lion and has since spent a decent chunk of his solo career explaining and defending his spirituality. Bazan’s reputation, it follows, forever preceeded him. Profiles of the prolific artist rather inexplicably discouraged me from ever giving his music a fair shake. Fortunately, Curse Your Branches came and changed all that, sneaking up with its insatiable singles “Please, Baby, Please” and the record’s title track that, apparently, signifies a new era for Bazan—as an agnostic. Now, I’ve got to go back and revisit his preview albums, not to look for signs of his imminent shift in faith but to simply listen without judgment. Preconceived notions are a bitch. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com
DEE DANIELS
Listening to Dee Daniels, one craves a crisp glass of pinot grigio, a sleek something to slip into and just the right partner to share in her moonlight serenade. The Canadian chanteuse possesses a tremendous set of pipes but she exercises equally impressive restraint, navigating her four-octave range along a smooth, steady course that avoids both over- and underwhelming pitfalls. Neither bombastic nor a snooze-fest, she emits a warm, infectious glow that lasts well after the show is over. Jazz at the Sheraton proudly brings her to town following a weeks-long residency at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater. Salt Lake Sheraton, 150 W. 500 South, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: JazzSLC.com
VALIENT THORR
Go ahead—give into the fantasy. Rock & roll is meant to be fun, after all. Valient Thorr might be dead serious about their lineage (Venus), but the nomadic rockers live up to the philosophy popularized by Kiss. With every rafter-swinging, whiplash-inducing party/show, they live it up like Harley-drivin’ live-action role players dressed in skuzzy-dude garb. What’s more, VT walk the talk, matching their image and backstory with chops good enough to merit opening slots for Motorhead and Fu Manchu. Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, 8 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com (with Early Man)
WEDNESDAY 11.4
KID SISTER
Chicago emcee Kid Sister recently noted in an interview, “A dream date consists of Shark Week and Papa John’s.” Though half-joking, her response to the silly, hypothetical question reflects a major down-to-earth attitude—one that endears the up-and-comer to listeners straight out of the gates. Seriously, her biggest hit is about getting your nails done. Manicures aren’t on my list of things to do, but after hearing “Pro Nails” I can’t stop singing, “Got her toes done up with her fingernails matching.” Three years after the infectious single’s release, Kid Sister’s debut is finally coming out on Downtown Records. Ultraviolet—originally titled Coco Beware before the WWE threw down over naming rights—features production by A-Trak, DJ Gant-Man and several other hot artists blowing up in dance clubs all over this fine nation. Kid Sister honed her skills playing parties with big brother Flosstradamus and she knows how to spark busy bodies. Don’t fight the feeling. W Lounge, 358 S. West Temple, 9 p.m.
COMING UP
Electric Tickle Machine, Art Brut (Urban Lounge, Nov. 5); Rob Zombie (Great Saltair, Nov. 5); Regina Spektor (In the Venue, Nov. 6); Royal Bliss (The State Room, Nov. 6); Skinny Puppy (Club Vegas, Nov. 6); They Might Be Giants (Depot, Nov. 6; Murray Theater, Nov. 7); Pinback (Depot, Nov. 7); Dirty Projectors (In the Venue, Nov. 7); Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers (Club Vegas, Nov. 8)
