Local Musicians: Processes, Performing and Potential New Music

Wilbere

No one rocks harder than Wilbere, especially at Velour’s Battle Of The Bands. The band was awarded the second night, taking them to the finals where they were crowned the Velour Battle of the Bands winners. Their passion for performance and connection with the audience can be described only as a love letter to music and togetherness. 

Wilbere’s origin story stems from band members Davis McBride and Ethan Powell recording five songs that were so fire, that they were compelled to perform them live. This led them to recruit members Parker Rappleye and Max Moon to complete the band.

“We became a different sound,” McBride says.

Since coming together, Wilbere released two EPs including “My Given Name” and “Quiet Eyes.” With songs such as “Tether” and “Cottonwood,” it’s hard to imagine their discography getting even better.

But, you guessed it. It will. Wilbere’s got an album coming. 

“Do you have any songs lined up yet?” I asked.

“We have ‘Swag 77,’ which will not be the title,” the band collectively agreed. 

Go to Wilbere’s Instagram comments and ask for “Swag 77.”

Wilbere craves every part of the creative process of music like performing, writing and recording. “If we’re recording for too long, I start to crave writing, and if I’m writing for too long, I start to crave recording,” McBride said. 

Wilbere’s lyricism, captivating performances and love for the game are what make them a Salt Lake City crowd favorite. 

If you're looking for a new band to follow and “you like to have a great time with friends, family and loved ones” you should listen to Wilbere according to Moon. 

Wilbere’s local music recommendations: Wishing Well, Hurtado, You Shall Know Our Velocity 

poolhouse 

“What’s a guilty pleasure song, genre or artist of yours” I asked Jake Buckner and Jonny Steed, band members of poolhouse. 

“‘Latch’ by Disclosure and Sam Smith” Steed said.

“Why is that a guilty pleasure,” I asked.

“I just feel like I’m supposed to be this cool indie guy,” he replied.

Buckner takes his turn with the question, “I’ll one up you,” he paused, “Nickelback.”

After being in bands throughout high school Lucas, Oliver, Buckner and Steed joined to form poolhouse and haven’t stopped since. 

If you have plans this summer, cancel them. Because poolhouse is releasing an album and two or three singles to preview their work.

Steed’s favorite lyrics they’ve ever written are featured on the upcoming album including the line, “Mom please come pick me up, it’s too much.” The current working album title is, “Music For Poor Kids,” which originally came to them while recording their “Tape Machine” EP. 

Steed talks about the meaning behind the title saying,“I think we’ve all experienced some sort of poverty whether that be money or emotional or state of being,” he goes on, “I think calling it music for poor people is very indicative and very telling of who we are as individuals and as a project.”

Poolhouse has exciting stuff coming up so make sure to follow along. 

poolhouse local music recommendations: Blue Rain Boots, Lovingly Clad and future.ex boyfriend

Marshall Van Leuven

Marshall Van Leuven started as a musician at a young age; One of his earliest memories of music was performing to his fifth-grade class a “joke song,” roasting his classmates as a part of his class presidency campaign. He won.

Since the fifth grade Van Leuven released three EPs including “Suffer the Joy,” “Soft, Soft, Softer” and “Hoodie Sundress.” 

Van Leuven says his favorite part of the musical creative process is, “when you just wrote a song, and there’s a moment when you don’t know if it’ll work,” he goes on, “and eventually, I’m like okay this is gonna work, it’s an aha moment.”

Van Leuven describes his music process saying, “I feel like I'm not really in control.” He feels like his music is constantly taking on new shapes and forms from an 80s vibe to something a bit more country. 

“I want to ramp it up, I want to put out as much music as I can,” Van Leuven said while talking about his music plans for the year. He expects to put out singles each month for the first five months this year until playing Kilby Block Party.

“Why should people listen to your music?” I asked.

“They shouldn’t,” he said in his initial response.

Following this response he said, “I think if you are looking for new music and you want to feel happy or sad go for it.”

You heard it here first. If you want to feel happy or sad, Marshall Van Leuven’s got you covered.

Marshall Van Leuven’s local music recommendations: Tomper and Goldensuns 

Ally Dean

Ally Dean’s musical origin didn’t begin with picking up a guitar; It started with her love for dance. Specifically contemporary. 

“I didn’t start playing music and singing until maybe eighth grade,” she said.

Her relationship with music and dance were intertwined saying it makes sense that contemporary dance music was her favorite since her music approach is similar. 

Writing music for Dean is all about authenticity and honesty which is clearly portrayed in her songs. Dean’s favorite lyrics she’s written come from her song “Tadpole,” “I love all the ways that I am, I wish that I’d grown up believing these things.” She says performing it feels healing and cathartic. 

Dean says her favorite performance was when she went with her boyfriend, Jonas Swanson to Mexico City, with his band, The Backseat Lovers, performing as their opener. 

Dean says “The crowd was so loving and they didn’t even know who I was,” she goes on, “even the people who didn’t speak English were coming up to me, expressing that they loved it.”

When asked about her hopes for 2025, Dean listed tour, collaboration and new music as possibilities. 

“I want to collaborate with other musicians more,” she said. Over Under being the band she would want to collaborate with. 

To find music with storytelling lyricism and nostalgic feel, go to Ally Dean. 

Ally’s local music recommendations: Wilbere and Guava Tree 

If you want to know more about these artists and listen to more of their music, check them out in this playlist now!