Features

UTG INTERVIEW: Broderick Batts talks living in L.A. and challenging listeners

Musicians in the 21st century are afforded the ability to hurdle their region’s perceived shortcomings, broadcast their artistic vision to the world, and stake their claim in the industry from there. That’s the reason Broderick Batts, a Tampa Bay native, has lived in L.A. for two years after his irresistible fusion of hip-hop, R&B, and soul (referred to as […]

UTG INTERVIEW: Mark Lavengood shares insights into bluegrass and touring

When you think of music from Michigan, there are probably a lot of places your mind goes instantly. Wether it’s the expansive work that came out of Motown, 8 Mile star and rapper Eminem, pop icon Madonna, or your dad listening to Bob Seger, Michigan has had its share of famous musicians from a wide […]

REVIEW: Gojira continue to evolve with ‘Magma’

Artist: Gojira Album: Magma Label: Roadrunner Records Genre: Metal When a long-running band has worked hard to carve out its own niche in a genre, and when it is also able to create an instantly identifiable, unique sound, that band is in rare company. Gojira has done just that. Wild left turns have alienated many […]

REVIEW: ‘Strange Little Birds’ is Garbage that’s worth picking up

Artist: Garbage Album: Strange Little Birds Label: STUNVOLUME Genre: Alternative Rock For most of us who remember Garbage from the 90s, their first two albums, Garbage and 2.0, are the definition of what we love about the band: Shirley Manson’s sultry yet haunting vocals, a backing band equal parts trip-hop, industrial, grunge, and a lot […]

UTG PREMIERE: Hymn – ‘Mouth’ EP

Pennsylvania indie/emo quintet Hymn are just a week out from the official release of their debut EP, titled Mouth, which will be available through Running Around Records as of June 17. Today, we’ve teamed with the band to share the four-track effort in full for your listening pleasure. Sharing influences with home state neighbors like […]

UTG PHOTOS: Cage The Elephant, Portugal. The Man in New York, NY (05/17/16)

Don’t ever expect to stand around at a Cage The Elephant show. They sure won’t. “That guy is going to be completely spent by the time this show is over,” I thought to myself as I watched lead singer Matthew Shultz power through the lines of “Cry Baby” in frenetic and sometimes acrobatic fashion. The […]

UTG PHOTOS: The Kills in New York, NY (05/17/16)

By the looks of the packed Music Hall of Williamsburg, the five-year absence of The Kills did not go unnoticed. For that venue, where bands can be virtually on top of the front row, this was a great night for a gritty rock show. As a constant supporter of The White Stripes, it’s impressive to […]

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Popstar’ has at least a few hits

Film: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Directed by: Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone Starring: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer From the makers of heralded comedic masterpieces such as “Dick in a Box” and “Motherlover” comes a 21st century satire on the extravagance and vapidness of modern pop idols. Sounds like a pretty good tagline, right? […]

UTG PHOTOS: Ghost in Grand Rapids, MI (5/20/16)

On May 20, theatrical rock superstars Ghost came through The Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, MI with special guests Pinkish Black and one of the most unique stage performances I have encountered in a long time. Much of the crowd arrived in face paint and outfits—from nuns to ghouls, and even impersonators of Papa Emeritus […]

10 Years Later: The Sound Of Animals Fighting’s ‘Lover, The Lord Has Left Us…’

“Lover, the lord has left us,” answered Charlemagne, though he wasn’t sure if Penelope could hear him, “if ever the lord was here.” – “Charlemagne & Penelope” by Chris Haynie We all have that band or artist which opened our eyes to the broader spectrum of what music is capable of being. From getting a […]

UTG PREMIERE: Face Value – ‘Thick As Thieves’ EP

Maryland pop-punk band Face Value has joined forces with UTG today to offer an exclusive stream of their new six-track EP, Thick As Thieves, which is due out this Friday, June 3. Fans of acts in the vein of Man Overboard and Transit should find comfort in Face Value’s familiarly solid take on the genre, […]

UTG PREMIERE: One Gone Thus – ‘Impermanence’ EP

Los Angeles experimental/post-hardcore duo One Gone Thus have teamed with UTG to stream their new, five-track EP, Impermanence, which will officially release this Friday, June 3. Pre-orders are available on Bandcamp for just $1 and come with a bonus track, titled “Some People Never Change.” “We went about constructing the whole album with the idea […]