Authors: James Bennett
Food Review: Sapa
I had been meaning to visit Sapa for quite some time. The restaurant spared no expense in making itself look nice. The interior is lush and sexy. Blown-glass chandeliers provide the perfect mood and the seating area is open enough that it never feels crowded—even when chatty diners occupy every table. I am no expert when it comes to sushi, but that didn’t stop me from sampling a few options from their list of specialties. … read more
Fallen Fruit of Utah: Bounty, Beauty and Community
Fallen Fruit is an artistic collaboration among three California-based artists: David Burns, Matias Viegener and Austin Young. The trio’s original art project was to create maps of publicly accessible fruit—places in and around Los Angeles where fruit trees grow on or over public property. The same three artists have collaborated on a Salt Lake-based exhibit called Fallen Fruit of Utah. … read more
Food Review: Black Widow Cafe
I have visited the Black Widow Café several times for lunch and it has always been the right choice. I’ve seen the place completely empty and completely packed, and in both cases, the service has been good and the food has been quickly cooked to order. Co-owners and chefs John Prescott and Kevin Murphy make everything in-house, and I do mean everything. … read more
Reviews: Vertical Scratchers – Daughter of Everything
Vertical Scratchers are a two-piece band made up of ex-Brainiac and Enon guitarist John Schmersal and former Triclops! drummer Christian Beaulieu. This is the debut album for the duo, and it stands as a testament to the heartwarming, poetic rock direction that Merge Records seems to be embracing with their new releases. … read more
Review: VIDEO – The Entertainers
Video = The Wax Museums + Bad Sports + The Dead Weather … read more
Review: Ultra Bidé – DNA vs DNA-c
Ultra Bidé have long been a source of aggressive music that could be described as noise rock mixed with artsy post-hardcore. … read more
Review: The Hold Steady – Teeth Dreams
It’s a straightforward rock n’ roll record with a punk vibe and a 1970s rock aftertaste. This is partly due to the addition of guitarist Steve Selvidge, and partly because the session was overseen by producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush). … read more
Review: Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake – Modern...
Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake = The Ventures + The Gorgons + Link Wray … read more
Review: Sterile Jets – Liquor Store
Sterile Jets = Future of the Left + Mclusky + Sonic Youth … read more
Review: S.O.A. – First Demo 12/29/80
State of Alert (S.O.A.) is one of the unsung heroes of the Washington, D.C. hardcore scene. They were a flash in the pan, existing for less than a year before disbanding in the summer of 1981. Led by a 19-year-old Henry Rollins, they recorded eight songs.
… read more