Can you believe we made it until May 2021 !? Wow, time flies! And SLUG Mag’s May Virtualized: an online concert with bands from Utah will present Salt Lake City’s own Dark lit’l, jacked johnson and Solitaires crossed by stars, three freak bands that are thrilled to entertain you from the World Wide Web! All three create a range of sounds that will remind us why we enjoy music and concerts in the first place. So sit back and relax with your favorite vice and connect with SLUG Mag’s YoutTube Channel May 21 at 8 p.m. sharp. Believe me, it will be good. Virtualized SLUG is sponsored by KRCL.

“I really grew up listening Jack johnson– The surfer, “Banana Pancakes”, an acoustic guitarist with a baritone voice that is both rustic and quiet. The name started as a joke, a placeholder, ”says Val Brown regarding the reasoning behind the band name Jacked Johnson (JJ for short). “But I like the sound and the way it looks (no caps or caps); the acronym “jj” is very cute. But most of all, it’s an incentive to do more reps in the gym – to get caught. If I’m not huge by next year, I should be kicked out. The group is made up of three people: Brown, who does the vocals, the songwriting and the guitar; Andrew Maguire, their mysterious drummer; and John hoang bassist hella. This collaboration between the three began as a solo project for Brown, but Brown then found Maguire, who went to school as a major in composition. Although, says Brown, “Andrew didn’t need the degree. He’s already a galaxy brain songwriter! Hoang, a major in jazz performance, is “far too humble for his skills,” says Brown.

These talented musicians deliver scary jazz-infused tunes with a touch of cultural flavor. I was personally impressed when I came across their track “jack3dtothemoon”. It’s like they’re artistic and digital minimalists. “I really like having two players who, upon hearing an unpleasantly rhythmically complex riff that I bring to a session, are able to play effortlessly and come up with ideas that generally make me and the songs better.” , says Brown. Hoang draws his influences from video game music and pop, but for this specific project he is honing his bass expertise from Morgan henderson (Blood brothers) and Joe lally (Fugazi).

“I really grew up listening to Jack Johnson – the surfer, ‘Banana Pancakes’, an acoustic guitarist with a rustic but quiet baritone voice. The name started as a joke, a placeholder, ”

Brown, meanwhile, is inspired by the hyphy duo, idiosyncratic of 100 guys. “Laura Les is my absolute favorite musician and composer. A few people timed me [as] a Jeff Buckley superfan. Although I take a lot of notes from Xiu Xiu and The treatment, vocally and in spirit, ”says Brown. However, I believe Jacked Johnson is aiming for something much more modest. “I want my songs to be as subtly scary and ridiculously sexy as possible,” says Browns. “Andrew taught Oklahoma kids for a year and brought home some twang. JJ will ultimately be a country band for the nuts. Oh yeah, I can see it now: Gene Clark meets Sean Nicholas Savage then they do a Broadway musical ensemble at Twilite Lounge.

Brown tends to be very particular when it comes to their initial motivation to make music. Of course, you start with that specific passion and / or pure pleasure, although Brown thinks there is a “visceral urge to create” as well as the attention aspect of showing something that you are. more or less proud to show. “To be seen, heard and felt. Musical inspiration can be a feedback loop; all of my best friends make cool music, and I am constantly in love with and encouraged by their work. I hope to play a role similar to at least one person, ”says Brown.

“I want my songs to be as subtly scary and ridiculously sexy as possible,”

For this group, one of the difficult parts of music is the feeling of self-doubt and criticism, and the fact that there is never enough time in the day. “I wish I had the time to get quality recordings of most of the ideas that strike me on a daily basis. But I also see the beauty in the fleeting nature of such inspiration, ”says Brown. Throughout the Jacked Johnson singles there are spots of melancholy mixed with a laid back vibe where I can see this supposedly fleeting piece being added. But do the trio think they can get “perfect” art? Forget that! “To suggest that there is a perfect art informs that there is an artist, who becomes a whole other box of [worms]Hoang said. Brown attempts to promote their experiences through sound into an “otherworldly ecstasy”. More precisely, in the choice of chords and progressions. “I like huge chords that some people might call ugly, which is clearly a jazz influence. I want to spread this eerie, harmonious joy to as many besieged ears as possible, ”says Brown.

Obviously, these days are filled with the monotonous tasks of work and play and the pressures to be the best we can be. I admire Jacked Johnson’s consistency in writing songs and gaining as much knowledge as possible about the craft. “I always write new things, sometimes too much to keep up. As a trio, we want to record and release the many songs we’ve worked on, and then take the band in a new direction – a more collaborative effort. Probably a core of anxiety influenced by jazz, ”says Brown. I’m sure it will be there for their Virtualized start! “[Expect our] the most revered and croon-i numbers are paired with tasty graphics provided [by] our friend Zachie DansieBrowns says.

“I like huge chords that some people might call ugly, which is clearly a jazz influence. I want to spread this strange and harmonious joy to as many besieged ears as possible. “

For more information on upcoming releases of the nifty jacked johnson, check out jackedjohnson.bandcamp.comand don’t forget to mark your calendars for Virtualized event via SLUG Mag’s Youtube channel May 21 at 8 p.m. God bless the internet. May God bless the authenticity.