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Editor's note: KSL.com does a weekly feature on local musicians/bands in the community. If you have an up-and-coming band/musician in mind, feel free to email your submission to fjolley@ksl.com. Please include a contact email for the artist, if available.SALT LAKE CITY — In the early ‘90s, Utah became a mecca for ska music. Every national act wanted to play for the Beehive State’s energetic crowds and get a look at the large local scene, propelled by artists like Swim Herschel Swim, Stretch Armstrong, and My Man Friday.
Though ska has since fallen out of the mainstream spotlight and retreated to the underground, it is by no means dead. Salt Lake City's Show Me Island is working to ensure that ska’s heart keeps beating — to the upbeat, of course.
Keeping ska alive
“The scene is still kicking,” said Show Me Island guitarist Nick Fleming. “It has its highs and lows as new bands come and go, but we and The Anchorage have been a steady Utah ska tag team for the past few years.”
Show Me Island was formed in 2011 and includes Fleming, Lauren Hoyt (vocals), Ken Vallejos (drums), Christian Lucy (keys), John Hoang (bass), Devon Wooley (trombone), and Clark Holzworth (trumpet).
Across two albums and two EPs, the band has been able to carve out a unique sound within the genre — Fleming calls it “soul-infused ska with a modern flair," which is an apt description. Much of that soul comes for the sultry vocals of Hoyt, whose love of old jazz records is front and center in her delivery, giving the songs a decidedly vintage vibe.
Playing with legends
Show Me Island’s sound has caught the attention of some of ska’s heaviest hitters and the band has shared the stage with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The English Beat and the Interrupters.
Saxophone legend Dave Hillyard of The Slackers, Hepcat, and The Stubborn All-Stars was so impressed by Show Me Island that he chose to produce their most recent album "Ring Around & Run."
“Being able to work with Dave Hillyard on our latest album was a real treat,” Fleming said. “Along with Andrew Goldring of Soundcave Productions, Dave helped us get the sound we were looking for and we made a record that we're really proud of.”
In addition to producing the record, Hillyard offered up his saxophone skills for six of the album’s 12 tracks.
Upcoming shows
The seven-piece group performed tracks from "Ring Around & Run" and the rest of its catalog at this year’s Skalloween show at Kilby Court on Oct. 29. The band was joined by The Anchorage, The Gringos, Scheming Thieves, and Gorgeous Gorges.
Show Me Island will also perform Nov. 17 at The Lighthouse in Ogden, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Nurture the Creative Mind.
Check out the band’s Facebook page for more upcoming shows. You can find their music on Bandcamp, Spotify and iTunes.
