Catch Salt Lake’s Amber Alert and Dear Stranger tonight with Greeley Estates!

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 @ 11:44AM

Amber Alert, who played at last year's X96 Big Ass Show and opened for Chevelle also in 2007 is playing tonight at Studio 600. Dear Stranger, who also has a track on X96 Live and Local v.4 (still available with your X96 Freeloader Card wherever you see the X96 Incident Management Vehicle or Kurty, the X96 Short Bus) will also be performing tonight.

Headlining is Phoenix, AZ band Greeley Estates, who are playing at The Van’s Warped tour. Catch both bands for only $14 tonight at 600 S. and 26 E. in downtown SLC.

Can someone record Idol for me?

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 @ 4:55PM

I've been hooked on American Idol this year, only because that dang Murray High School kid is in it, and Dave Cook is fiiine. Mr. Cook can sing to me anytime, I don't care if he sounds just like Scott Stapp.

But tonight, I’m being loyal to Provo band Elizabethan Report (http://www.myspace.com/elizabethanreport) and watching them play instead at Kilby Court tonight with Seattle’s The Cops.  The show is a 7:30 at 330 W. and 741 S. (Kilby Ct.)

So if ANYONE could please tape the show for me, I’d be forever in your debt! I really, really need to get a DVR!

X96 Live and Local Playlist.

Sunday, May 4th, 2008 @ 10:17PM

Manicproject "X96 Live and Local Theme"

The Auto-Pirates “A Tribute To Miners” http://www.myspace.com/theautopirates

Ether “Untitled” http://www.myspace.com/etherxxx

Mutton Hollow “Time” http://www.myspace.com/muttonhollow

Rocket World “The Boom Song” http://www.myspace.com/rocketworld

Amber Alert “Action An Enemy Of Thought” http://www.myspace.com/amberalert

Prize Country “Lottery Of Recognition” http://www.exigentrecords.com

Allred “Parades” http://www.myspace.com/allred

The Brobecks “Don’t Like You Anymore” http://www.myspace.com/brobecks

Numbskull “I’m Not A Machine” http://www.myspace.com/numbskull_utah_punx

Manicproject “Room 101” http://www.myspace.com/manicproject

Ivy League “The Only Escape” http://www.myspace.com/ivyleaguerock

Off The Veil “Mr. Sir” http://www.myspace.com/offtheveil

Cavedoll “Decoder” http://www.myspace.com/cavedollband

To The Death “Calling All Actors” http://www.myspace.com/tothedeathband

Disko Teckneik “Brutality” http://www.myspace.com/diskoteckneik

Written In Fire “Prophecy” http://www.myspace.com/writteninfire

Elizabethan Report “Soy Sauce Sailor” (Live in the X96 studio)

2 1/2 White Guys “Corporate Man” http://www.twoandahalfwhiteguys.com

Elizabethan Report “Sweat, Swat, Swote!” http://www.myspace.com/elizabethanreport

Elizabethan Report “Elizabethan Report “Are You A Murderer?” (Live in the X96 studio)

X96 Live and Local tonight.

Sunday, May 4th, 2008 @ 5:15PM

From 8-10 pm. this evening, you'll hear new music from The Auto-Pirates, as well as your Utah band requests. I also found a recent compilation from the local label Exigent Records. It's loud and hardcore, so if you'd had a bad day, week, year, etc., I think you'll enjoy Gaza, Ether, and Loom from that label. Screaming is fun!

My live guests tonight is a five-piece band from Provo called Elizabethan Report. Think Modest Mouse with a chick. I am exceedingly giddy to have this band on at 9:30 tonight, as I have been a huge fan now for a couple of months. Don’t forget that http://www.x96.com has a new web cam, so you may be able to see them play acoustic live from your computer!

Local shows tonight.

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 @ 9:02PM

Rock The Lot at Highland High School. A bunch of local high school bands are playing, and your $5 goes to charity. 7 pm.

Rope Or Bullets opening for Northern State @ Kilby Court. 7:30 pm. All ages. 741 S. 330 W.

2 1/2 White Guys @ Port O’ Call. A private club. W. Temple and 400 S.

Future Of The Ghost, Vile Blue Shades, and Velella Velella @ Urban Lounge. A private club. 241 S. 500 E.

Zion Tribe @ Hog Wallow. 21+. 3200 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road.

Utah band gigs for Friday, May 2.

Friday, May 2nd, 2008 @ 3:27PM

Kid Theodore and Dark Meat @ Kilby Court. All Ages. 7:30 pm. 330 W. Kilby Ct. (741 S.)

Seve Vs. Evan, The Alligators, and Team Mom @ Velour. All Ages. 135 N. University Avenue.

Royal Bliss (acoustic) and Violet Wild @ HUKA Bar & Grill. A Private Club. 151 E. 6100 S.

Local shows tonight.

Thursday, May 1st, 2008 @ 3:53PM

You have nothing else better to do on a Thursday night than see some killer Utah talent, so here are my suggestions:

Erin Haley @ Kilby Court. All ages. 7:30 pm. 330 W. 741 S. (Kilby Ct.)
I will be at this show tonight. Erin is playing solo guitar and singing with her gutsy, Fiona Apple-esque pipes. And she’s super cute!

Pink Lightnin’, a cool rockabilly band starring the Reverend Bad Brad Wheeler from Legendary Porch Pounders, is playing @ Urban Lounge tonight with American Relay and Reverend Dead Eye. A private club. 241 S. 500 E.  10 pm.

Dead Horse Minstral @ The Hog Wallow 21+. 3200 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road

The Metal Gods @ Liquid Joe’s. Tony Or and company are exceedingly entertaining! A private club. 3300 S. 1245 E.

YOU @ Port O’ Call! It’s “This Is Your Band Karaoke” night! Woo. A private club. 400 S. W. Temple

The Dirty Heads, O.P.M., and Ravenhurst @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge. A private club. 726 S. State Street

Hawaii photos are up on myspace.

Monday, April 28th, 2008 @ 4:20PM

I ended up taking 311 pictures in Oahu last week.

I didn’t plan that, even though the Omaha band 311 is coming this Summer. I edited them down and put up the more memorable ones on http://www.myspace.com/djportia. Check ‘em out!

X96 Live and Local Personal Ads

Sunday, April 27th, 2008 @ 11:09PM

If you have a local band personal ad, please email me at

I Am The Ocean needs a vocalist: http://www.myspace.com/iamtheocean

Ivy League is seeking a lead guitarist: http://www.myspace.com/ivyleaguerock

X96 Live and Local April 27

Sunday, April 27th, 2008 @ 10:46PM

Manicproject "X96 Live and Local Theme" http://www.manicproject.com

DulceSky “Unfamiliar” http://www.myspace.com/dulcesky
Until Further Notice “Walls Of Silence” http://www.myspace.com/ufnband
A Film In The Ballroom “Solid Lines” http://www.myspace.com/afilmintheballroom
The Green Peanuts “Sorry Jena, Your Cat’s Dead” http://www.myspace.com/thegreenpeanuts
I Am The Ocean “Chasing Bears And Reading Scripture” http://www.myspace.com/iamtheocean
Elizabethan Report “Sweat, Swat, Swote!” http://www.myspace.com/elizabethenreport
The Brobecks “Goodnight Socialite” http://www.myspace.com/brobecks
Starmy “Mudslide” http://www.myspace.com/gostarmy
Stretsch Armstronng “Drool”
The Future Of The Ghost “Love” http://www.myspace.com/thefutureoftheghost
Debi Graham Band “Align” http://www.debigrahammusic.com
Numbskull “Dead Ringer” http://www.myspace.com/numbskull_utah_punx
Destructinator “Mrs. Wadium” http://www.myspace.com/destructinatorband
Broke City “Man Of The Year” http://www.myspace.com/broke
Victim Efect “Boom” http://www.myspace.com/victimeffect
The Market “You Thought Wrong” http://www.myspace.com/themarkettunes
Vicious Starfish “Remember To Forget” http://www.myspace.com/viciousstarfish
The Market “You Step”
Ivy League “Hold On” http://www.myspace.com/ivyleaguerock
Lexi Sayok “Oh, This Modern Life” http://www.myspace.com/lexisayok
Devine Write “Rewind” http://www.myspace.com/devinewritemusic

Bands! Wanna play at Fashion Stroll tomorrow?

Thursday, April 17th, 2008 @ 8:42PM

Oops, I made a booboo. The fashion stroll is this Friday, April 25, on 300 S. between 200 and 400 E. from 7-9pm.

There will be some of the best local bands playing the stroll, as well as the latest in fashions by local artists. Phoenix Alliance, who is helping me quit smoking (I’ve been quit for exactly one week now), needs a small acoustic band or an artist to play at their booth! Please email my good friend Anna at if you are interested. I am sorry for the short notice, but it will be a fantastic gig!
Peace out!

Portia

KickStart

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 @ 3:44PM

This new reality show based on regular people taking extreme adventure risks needs local bands!

For your chance at 15 minutes of fame on the TV, submit your photos and mp3s on http://maverik-kickstart.com. 

X96 Live and Local April 13

Sunday, April 13th, 2008 @ 10:19PM

Manicproject "X96 Live and Local Theme"

Purr Bats “The Dragon From The Refreshment Room” http://www.myspace.com/purrbats
Vicious Starfish “All In A Night” http://www.myspace.com/viciousstarfish
Subrosa “Black Joan “ http://www.myspace.com/subrosatheatre
Victim Effect “Alice, Alice” http://www.myspace.com/victimeffect
Love You Long Time “Crazy Crush” http://www.myspace.com/loveyoulongtime
The Brobecks “2nd Boys Will Be 1st Choice” http://www.myspace.com/brobecks
Allred “The Middle” http://www.myspace.com/allred
Dulce Sky “Icon Of Distress” http://www.myspace.com/dulcesky
Dear Stranger “Here’s To You” http://www.myspace.com/dearstrangermusic
Dulce Sky “Unfamiliar”
Poetica “No One Gets Out Alive” http://www.myspace.com/poeticasaltlake
Unknown Anthem “Grandpa’s Guitars” http://www.myspace.com/unknownanthem
Loom “Hourglass” http://www.myspace.com/loom801
Scripted Apology “Delibitate” http://www.myspace.com/scriptedapology
Here Lies Martha “Slide The Knife” (live in the X96 studio) http://www.myspace.com/hereliesmartha
Here Lies Martha “Face Your Fate”
Numbskull “Love’s A Lie” http://www.myspace.com/numbskull_utah_punx
Here Lies Martha “Kill The Critics”
Egan’s Theory “That’s The Way” http://www.myspace.com/eganstheory
Elizabethan Report “Sweat, Swat, Swote” http://www.myspace.com/elizabethanreport

The Brobecks update.

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 @ 8:04PM

As of about three months ago, Salt Lake City band The Brobecks' "2nd Boys Will Be 1st Choice" were added on the regular X96 playlist. Lead singer Dallon Weeks and his fabulous wife, Breezy, are now moving to California, but hopefully this will be better news for The Brobecks! The new CD is almost finished, and Dallin just sent me this email. So here is the latest news on The Brobecks!

"So we just got back from a tour to SXSW (Thanks to everyone who bought a copy of ‘2nd Boys’ online. STILL available by the way.) We ended up hitching a ride with our good friends Scary Kids Scaring Kids. They were kind enough to make some room for us on their bus. The tour was awesome, SXSW is always a good time. I am currently waiting on mixes for the new record, which I am calling ‘Vaudevillains’.
Hopefully we can release it before Spring is through. One track in particular called ‘Small Cuts’ features Darren Robinson from Phantom Planet on guitar. (SO stoked on that one. I love them!) Other than that we are preparing for the big show at UVU. We have a new Keys/Guitar player named Josh Rheault. He flew in from Connecticut to come play with The Brobecks.(crazy!) And he’s very handsome.”

The Brobecks just played Rock In UVU last night, and even though Dallon is moving to Cali to be a big rock star nationwide, not just in our humble state, I will continue to play The Brobecks on X96 Live and Local Sunday nights from 8-10 pm. right here on X96. And if they become the next Poison, just know where you heard them first!!!

Love,

Portia Early

X96 Live and Local for April 6, 2008

Sunday, April 6th, 2008 @ 10:13PM

Manicproject "X96 Live and Local Theme " http://www.manicproject.com

Poetica "No One Gets Out Alive" www.myspace.compoeticasaltlake

Numbs "Nfinity" www.myspace.com/numbs

Numbskull "She's A Bitch" www.myspace.com/numbskull_utah_punx

The Brobecks "I Will, Tonight" www.myspace.com/brobecks

Lord Mandrake "Skinwalker" www.myspace.com/lordmandrakeband

Tragic Black "Bodies On The Avenue" www.myspace.com/tragicblack

Vicious Starfish "Supernova" www.myspace.com/viciousstarfish

Elizabethan Report (track 5, the 'hidden' track, on their new EP) www.myapace.com/elizabethanreport

Paxin "What We Are" www.myspace.com/paxtin

Moneypenny "Far behind" www.myspace.com/moneypenny

Mutton Hollow "Love Story" www.myspace.com/muttonhollow

SKINT "Go Down Fighting" www.myspace.com/skint

Harbor Nothing "What Comes From Nothhing" www.myspace.com/harbornothing

Allred "The Middle" www.myspace.com/allred

Love You Long Time "Dreamkiller" www.myspace.com/loveyoulongtime

Funk Fu "The Pirate Song" www.myspace.com/funkfu

Dear Stranger "Your Audience" www.myspace.com/dearstrangermusic

a.vanvranken "None" www.myspace.com/avanvranken

Fourteen Days From Forever "We All Must Breathe" www.myspace.com/fourteendaysfromforever

Broke City "Insomnia" www.myspace.com/broke

Dane & The Death Machine "When Ammonia Meets Bleach" www.myspace.com/ddm

Daniel Day Quartet "Sour Times" www.danielday.net

Celestial City "Snowflakes" www.myspace.com/celestialcitysleeps

Here’s a sneak peek on who is playing at the 2008 Utah Arts Festival.

Friday, April 4th, 2008 @ 12:52PM

Yes, it's still a few months away, but Every year the deadline for local bands to send in press kits to the Utah Arts festival offices is about late January so they can have plenty of time to schedule and put things together. The list has been chosen, and being on the performing arts board for the festival, I get early notice on who is playing. This year we judged about 300 bands. Thanks to all the rock bands who submitted applications. The Utah Arts festival at Library Square is June 26-29, and here are your performers, besides the big headliners who will be announced in the near future:

Abraxas

Anke Summerhill

Atherton

Band of Annuals

Bien Flamenco

Black Eyed Susan

Blame Sally

Blue Lotus

Bossa Nova Soul Samba

Bronco

Calico

Cavedoll

Chamber Orchestra

Chicago Afrobeat

Chuck Prophet

Cosm

Crescent Moon

Cynthia Douglass & Paul

Disco Drippers

Dulce Sky

Eric McFadden Trio

Ether Orchestra

Fifth Fret

Free Press

Funk Fu

Hillbilly Voodoo

Indigenous

Insatiable

Janiva Magness

Javier Garcia

Jazz Orchestra

Jebu

Jewel Thieves

Joshua James

Kid Theodore

Latin Jazz Factory

Libbie Linton

Llajtayku

Marcia Knorr

Mass Ensemble

Mayor’s Artists Awards

Melissa Warner

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Michael Lucarelli

Misty Murphy

Moreland & Arbuckle

Mushman

Odyssey Dance

Outlaw Entertainers

Passafire

Pink Lightnin’

Puddle Mountain Ramblers

Purr Bats

Red Desert

Red Rock Rondo

Revideolized

Ririe Woodbury

Rope or Bullets

Saliva Sisters

SLAJO

Slickrock Gypsies

Smiling Souls

Sophie Barton

Soulja

Spearit

Stacey Board Band

Starmy

Stone Circle

Swamp Boogie

Terry Tschaekfske

The Cadet Sisters

The High Beams

The Mollies

The New Nervous

The Radio Rhythm Makers

Three Squared

Tolchock Trio

Transperfromance

VCR Quintet

Vile Blue Shades

Wasatch Music

Way Way East Bay

Whip Boy

Whew! Well there you have it. I can’t wait until June 26!

The Donnas and me on PCTV.

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 @ 7:32PM

I know I'm a broken record, but once a month I am interviewed on Park City Television's "Mountain Views" with Ori Hoffer.

I usually bring in a Utah band to play on the news and entertainment program, but on April Fool’s day this year, Ori scheduled chick punk-rockers The Donnas. After working for 15 years (they started as a band in the 7th grade, and got their big break during a talent show!!) they seemed like one of the most humble rockers I have ever met. And, by gosh they have the best hair ever! I should have asked them who their stylist was.

During my interview, I talked about 3 bands you should look into if you haven’t already:

DulceSky
This SLC band, originally from Chile, sounds like an Hispanic Bauhaus/The Cure/Depeche Mode effort. Some songs are in Spanish, and some in English. It’s an absolute treat to hear rockers such as DulceSky. They will perform live on X96 Live and Local April 20, and their new CD release party is on April 26 at Studio 600. Pick up a copy of X96 Live and Local Volume 4 at one of the X96 remotes and hear one of their songs. http://www.myspace.com/dulcesky

Allred
This is a project spawned by John Allred. Like Ben Folds, he had a band, and now his act is solo. In the vein of Dashboard Confessional and Radiohead, and speaking of Ben Folds, John will open up for the Ben Folds and Ben Lee at Saltair this Spring. http://www.myspace.com/allred

The Elizabethan Report
Holy good lord, this is amazing music! The band resides in Provo. Think Modest Mouse but harder with a chick. Professional, catchy as hell, and music you’ll want to hear over and over. http://www.myspace.com/elizabethanreport

Thanks again to PCTV for having me talk about the scene, and having me brush scarves with The Donnas!

Live and Local mentioned in City Weekly’s Best Of!

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 @ 6:57PM

Pick it up on newsstands now! X96 won best radio station again, and for two years in a row my little local show was mentioned in the article. So thank you City Weekly. It feels good to be loved!

Also for CW staff choice, my friend Circus Brown won best live local band performances for his “Not A Side Show” program on KRCL 90.9 fm. Saturday late nights. When I first read his win, I have to admit I took it personally for a sec. Then I accepted it.  Okay I was pretty angry, and stewed for an hour sitting in my car in the Caputo’s/Carlucci’s parking lot drinking my iced coffee staring at the article wondering what the heck I was doing wrong! But Circus definitely deserves the mention. As far as I remember he’s had the show for at least two years, and I will give it to him that he does have some killer acts on his program, and his personality is #1 in my book. Plus I bet the bands (and perhaps the host) are allowed to drink live in the studio there at the community radio station (....well for now. When you go commercial Circus, just watch your back!). So I think I had a handicap there. But seriously, he puts on an immensely entertaining show, and he even played James Brown and locals The Wolfs for me back-to-back once last year, and I couldn’t do that on my show...unless I get proof that James Brown was a local here at one time, but I doubt it. As far as the Utah indie scene goes, Circus, Helmut Von Schmidt from that one metal station, and I share our passion for local talent, and we have been friends since we met, and we haven’t have bashed each other at all. At least not to each other’s faces. So anywho, congrats, Circus! It’s about damn time you received media recognition! And, uh, I really mean it.

Thanks to City Weekly again for praising X96 Live and Local as part of the best radio station in Utah!

I’m on Park City Television tonight.

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 @ 3:13PM

As I said in my earlier blog, I'll be on with The Donnas tonight on PCTV at 6pm. Of course I'll talk about big local shows going on, as well as some new Utah bands that I am really into. Then I'll be in an audience of about four, watching The Donnas. Sucks to be me.

You can watch in on Comcast channel 102, or online at http://www.parkcity.tv

Queer Prom is coming soon!

Monday, March 31st, 2008 @ 7:09PM

The GLBT will be putting on "Queer Prom: The Origin Of Love '08" on Saturday, April 26, at the Downtown Salt Lake Public Library! It is THE prom for the gay and lesbian scene here in our great land of Zion, and if you haven't played with us before, you are missin'!

This year will be my second DJing the prom. If you are 14-20 years of age and would like to attend, go to http://utahpridecenter.org/ for more info. Over 600 people attended in 2007, and we expect up to 800 this year!

Good times, good times.

The straight, still looking for Mr. Portia,

Portia Early

Join me for The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus botb!

Monday, March 31st, 2008 @ 7:05PM

Each year this Davis County battle of the bands is presented by The Standard Examiner, the big paper up there. This year it will take place in the Union building at Weber State. I am hosting the event, and it starts at 7pm. sharp.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a national program that helps local bands record material and improve their musicianship. Local celebs from each state judge the bands, and it is a really good time.

Aprill 11 at 7:00 pm.! Save the date!