S I G N E D A R T I S T S
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The Direction is a big band with an even bigger sound you won’t find anywhere else but bleeding through the walls of that practice space next door. This locally acclaimed band has kicked down the poorly padded door and is ready to show you the business end of their hand crafted musical nightstick. Vocalist, Felicia Anderton, sings with a passion rarely seen south of Tallahassee. Pair that passion with the mesmerizing guitar work of Elan Bartholomew, Steve Hutchinson, and Nate Carlisle and the soulful sounds just don’t stop. Add to this bona-fide blend the thunderous bass of Sami Ollerton and Addison Aldous’ pounding drum rhythms, and these young artists set a new bar for versatility. The Direction’s ever-unfolding creative spark will make your crappy, white, grossly overpriced ear buds sound like the equally overpriced Dr. Dre’s. The band has just released their debut album, “From VII & IV” in July of 2010, which promises to bludgeon any innocent bystanders ears with unrestrained paramount sound and singular lyrics.
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 Idyll Rigamarole is a seven-being powerhouse that utilizes it’s large array of talent to produce animated and charismatic songs. Despite the short time these individuals have played as a group, they have proven their collective craft through bright bursts of creativity in performances all over Salt Lake. And, they have even established a crowd favorite in the smooth sounds of the song "Heart of Darkness". With alternating vocalists, eclectic sounds, and the song-writing influence of several band members, audiences are never left with a bland performance.
Idyll Rigamarole’s debut album, "…all of life is a foreign country…", is a pleasant yet deep sounding journey through life and longing from the perspective of a young mind. Though influenced by shades of The Rentals, Arcade Fire, Fiona Apple and the Fruit Bats, "…all of life is a foreign country…" is still grounded firmly in the sound of these seven multi-talented individuals. The songs are ever-changing as vocals range from lush velvet tones to urgent squeezed messages while guitars, pianos and vibraphones swirl underneath creating a folky and psychedelic landscape that sticks with the listener like the aftertaste of a new and exotic meal.
"Music is exactly what I like to do." says Idyll drummer Braden Tipton. This straight-forward statement perfectly encompasses the enjoyment found in music for all the band members. Luckily for us listeners, this unbridled joy has been captured and is there for the taking every time "…all of life is a foreign country…" is heard!
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Outside of the "Free Tibet" sticker plastered onto her guitar case and her intense–what critics may call unhealthy–obsession with Tegan and Sara, there is nothing cliche about Eliza Shearon. This rising singer-songwriter has a simple, expressive folk-howl backed by a subtle but notable presence. Her music is relatable, giving ownership of her melodies to each individual listener, and allowing her audience to feel as if she is playing a private set just for them. Eliza’s youth does not hinder her from delivering matured lyrics and nitty-gritty yet sophisticated guitar strokes. Her masterful use of metaphor allows her to push limits, describing emotions and images in complex yet humanistic ways. Eliza is primal in her motivation, relentless in her execution, and provides a singular, simplistic truth to Salt Lake’s music scene that is sure to corral the following of dedicated fans and impressed admirers.
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 At only 21 years old, Joel Brown is a man whose music is assembled with some of the most impassioned and inventive lyrics ever heard from such a young artist. His music is at once friendly, poignant, and personal, establishing him as a singer-songwriter with a reach that causes even the most stoic and indifferent listeners to lend an ear. Joel, as a musician, is going through a stage of growth, and his new recordings are a progression away from his poppy roots. He’s taken a striking left turn, developing a charming if not complex and lush sound. His songs draw upon real experiences that open windows onto himself and the listener as well. With lyrics like, "Why is your pillow crying? Maybe it’s lonely like you” from the song “Lullaby”, an earnest serenade to his mother, Brown showcases heart-felt lyricism and evokes strong emotional images. His voice, it should be noted, is omnipotent and pleasurable, and he skillfully manipulates his vocals to create high peaks and lulling lows. Joel’s enthusiasm and commitment to his music have made him an undisputed Spy Hop favorite, and have allowed him to demand and captivate the attention of every audience he graces. |
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A savvy wordsmith, Malevolent MC brings a unique and intelligent form of hip-hop to the Salt Lake valley. Born in New York City as Ian Sanabria, he relocated to Utah around the age of 2 and developed an early interest in expression. During his formative years in school, a creative writing teacher encouraged Ian to shift his development of slam poetry to the songwriting realm. He took this teacher’s advice and created the alias Malevolent MC, which described his political and social mentality, as well as his habit of attacking tracks with eminent talent and relentless zeal. Malevolent MC’s commanding, cool voice yields clever verse that can be described as both personal poetry and meaningful commentary. Malevolent pairs his unique breed of idiom with electro-hop beats that push limits, and immerses listeners in a new realm of musical exploration to gather a supportive and interested fan-base. This elaborate alchemist is happy to remain outside of the box, allowing for surprises and delights in every piece of music he creates through avant-garde musicality, impassioned vernacular, and hidden meaning. Malevolent MC is establishing himself as a singular and ever present voice in Salt Lake and remains at the top of his creative game, seeing impossible not as a limit, but as a dare.
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 Sam Burton is an 19-year-old Salt Lake City folk artist with striking talent and an emotive style. Do not let Sam’s fresh face fool you; he is no stranger to the local music scene, currently playing open mics and introducing new material all around the city. Sam’s performances are energetic and comfortable, with rises and falls in his songs that leave audiences in a wide range of feeling and thought. Listeners easily connect to his relatable lyricism and are allowed a window into emotions Sam portrays with honesty and vigor. Sam is transforming himself with his recent works, departing from the slightly lighter radio folk sound and exploring darker melodies and more complex narratives. Sam’s new direction has spawned deeper skill, allowing him to define himself as an artist with a story unique to himself, and thus catching the attention of dedicated music lovers interested in forms of valuable and sentimental expression. He challenges himself to create high-quality work, always attempting to outdo past songs and using constructive criticism from himself, his peers, and his fans to allow for new creative developments and greater listening experiences. Sam is currently working on his second album with Spy Hop Records due for release in mid-2011. His upcoming album promises to take a step into a newfound musical maturity that will have listeners flocking local venues to hear this singer-songwriter’s passionate ballads. |
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 Orion Chacon-Hurst is a shaggy, unassuming songwriter with a penchant for writing timeless country and psychedelic rockabilly that speaks a potent musical language without having to scream. Orion, a seemingly old soul despite his young age, has already had a decade of musical experience with which to chisel out his own niche in Salt Lake’s growing mountain of musical talent. After becoming discouraged by other musical group ventures, Orion recently focused his songwriting energies and set to work on his own original recordings. He has taken a step back from the modern mainstream scene and immersed himself in the beginnings of American music, delving into an earlier era when music was “three chords and the truth”. Orion’s interest in the past has proven to be the best choice he could have made musically. Orion demands attention with every song, using his intense talent on the guitar and his low bellow to provide a modern twist on dark, outlaw country similar to Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and other musical greats. He adds his own flair to his work, using intricate instrumentals and blunt libretto to display his fierce and seasoned musical ability. Orion is truly one of a kind, standing alone in this much abandoned genre that has spawned some of music’s most famous and beloved legends. He comes to Spy Hop Records armed with ambition, a profound love for music, and an artistic endowment that will surprise and hook any audience. “Music is the only thing I’m good at,” says Orion when asked to explain his dedication to the art form. “I’ll follow it wherever it takes me”. With any luck, we’ll all be able to follow Orion as his musical career unfolds before us, and as he, too, launches himself into the realm of the legendary. |
 Both equally passionate about hip-hop in their own unique way, Roe and U-N-I-Verse-All stand out as having an uncommon gift with words despite their youth. They manage to gracefully bridge the gap between light-hearted lyrical witticisms and sobering life lessons, all the while utilizing an impressive poetic pallet. UniverseAll (Sam Jackson), who draws from the likes of Malcolm X, Che Guevara, J-Dilla, Gang Starr, Brand Nubian and A Tribe Called Quest for inspiration, is an intellectually switched-on and clearly talented 14 year old who’s lyrical talent is clear within seconds of his getting on the mic. He has a unique style, equal parts old and new school; he raps with intention and maintains a relaxed tone to make listeners comfortably bob their heads in enjoyment. Roe (Robert Menasco) whom one might initially take to be quiet and soft-spoken, unleashes an impressive array of lyrical ability every time he graces the stage. With clearly unique methods and tongue twisting feats, he shows an endearing personal quality that is most apparent whilst rhyming. Both of these young artists offer a refreshing break in the monotonous hip-hop cloud, and will doubtlessly continue to impress over the course of their musical careers. |
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 Chris Bullock and Christian Butler are two adept young songwriters that share a respect for well-crafted, melodically progressive songs. These new comers to the Salt Lake rock scene are making a name for themselves writing hooks that span generations of music and flogging listeners with lyrics of the psycho-somatic nature. Chris, who displays finely honed guitar chops that are enough to make veteran axe men jealous, is equal parts front-man (with an impressive tenor voice!) and ace-in-the-hole sideman. When asked about his motivation he says, “Music is easily played when passion pulls it up out of your soul.” Chris definitely displays his natural ease, playing energetically and skillfully each time he performs. Christian, a young man with mature talent, plays smoky Rhodes keyboard and sings like he was born in the early 1970’s. Penning music he describes as, “smooth foot tapping jams,” Christian is quickly amassing a canon of classic sounding songs ready to unleash upon the world. The duo’s debut album, entitled Fourier, is currently being marketed by Spy Hop Records and can be downloaded online or purchased downtown of at Spy Hop Productions. |
