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Aug 26
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10 Reasons to Love Raised Garden Beds in Utah

By Lifestyle

Everywhere we look this season, it seems gardening is being elevated—literally. Raised garden beds are sprouting up in backyards, patios, parking strips and community spaces, transforming ordinary plots into thriving, organized green spaces. And there’s no better time than summer to get growing. Whether you’re harvesting crisp vegetables, tending colorful blooms or trying your hand at both, raised beds offer a beautiful and practical way to garden at full tilt

To help explain why this elevated approach is more than just a trend, USU extension professor Katie Wagner—alongside projects from talented landscape pros—shares ten compelling reasons raised beds belong in your garden plan. From easier planting and longer seasons to fewer weeds and fuller harvests, these benefits make raised beds a summer-smart upgrade you’ll enjoy all year long.

Treated landscape timbers offer a cost-effective material for raised gardens built along an access walk in a Holladay home. Design by Landform Design Group. Photo by Grey Giraffe-Alan Wilbur.
Simple steel garden boxes add elevated growing space in an intimate SLC backyard, courtesy of Landform Design Group. Photo by Grey Giraffe-Alan Wilbur.

1. Better Soil, Better Plants

With raised beds, you control the soil mix, ensuring optimal nutrients and texture—especially beneficial for gardeners working with poor native soil, heavy clay or sandy conditions. “We typically recommend a mix of native garden soil and a soilless potting mix,” Wagner says, emphasizing high-quality organic matter made for raised beds. This balanced mix promotes healthier plants, better root growth and fewer nutrient deficiencies. However, she adds, raised beds are not the most water-efficient option. “They require more water since they drain and dry out quickly, unlike in-ground gardens. Adding native soil, mulch and organic matter can help improve water retention and soil health,” she says.

2. Improved Drainage

Unlike traditional garden plots, raised beds prevent water from pooling, reducing the risk of root rot. This improved drainage is especially beneficial in regions with heavy rainfall or compacted soil, allowing plants to thrive in a well-aerated environment. “However, depending on how tall the raised beds are, the roots systems of some plants will reach into the native soil beneath,” Wagner says. 

3. Less Weeding, Less Hassle

Raised beds’ defined borders help suppress weeds, keeping your garden tidier with less effort. Adding mulch or landscape fabric beneath the soil further reduces unwanted growth. “Control weeds in the surrounding pathways and you’ll reduce the weed pressure around the raised beds,”  Wagner adds. 

4. Easier on the Back & Knees

Taller bed designs eliminate the need for stooping, benefiting those with mobility issues, back pain or knee pain. Some even feature sitting lips for added ease. “If the material doesn’t support natural seating, like steel, we look for ways to incorporate seating, such as a cantilevered wood bench,” says  Landform Design Group’s Jayson King. “With wood or masonry, seating can naturally occur with the right height.” Wagner agrees, noting that while ideal height varies by user, a 3-foot width offers ample room for growth and easy access to the bed’s center from either side.

Steel and board-formed concrete walls join steel planters of varied size and height to bring interest and low-maintenance appeal to this lush Park City garden. Design by Landform Design Group. Photo by Grey Giraffe-Alan Wilbur.
Protecting the gardening area of wildlife, steel/wood fencing and a stone wall surround steel planters of varying sizes and heights in a Park City home’s landscape by Landform Design Group. Photo by Grey Giraffe-Alan Wilbur.

5. Extended Growing Season

Raised beds offer a longer growing season thanks to faster spring warm-up and better fall drainage. You can plant earlier, harvest later and make the most of your space year-round. Plus, they’re perfect for low tunnel covers, allowing use of plastic in spring to retain heat, then swapping to 30% shade cloth in Utah’s hot summer months, Wagner explains. Raised beds also support vertical trellising, which improves airflow, saves space and makes harvesting climbing crops easier.

6. Pest & Critter Control

Raising your garden beds helps deter pests like rabbits and ground insects, especially when paired with barriers like hardware cloth or row covers. “Produce in contact with the ground is much more vulnerable,” says Wagner. “Better air circulation also means less disease pressure.” To prevent pest and disease buildup, she also suggests rotating crops each year—especially within the same plant families, which tend to share vulnerabilities to pests and diseases.

7. Maximizing Small Spaces

Raised beds are a smart solution for small yards, patios and urban gardens, offering a compact, organized way to grow more in less space. Added trellises or vertical supports can increase productivity without expanding a garden’s footprint. Wagner emphasizes the importance of placement and sun exposure. 

“Plants need enough space and light to thrive.” What’s more, raising beds above surrounding perennials can also help ensure better airflow and consistent sunlight.

8. A Stylish & Organized Garden

Raised beds’ defined edges create natural walkways and a sense of order, turning any backyard into a functional, attractive space. “In-ground gardens can look messy by comparison,” Wagner says. Material choice depends on style and budget. Rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood are durable and visually appealing. Metal offers a sleek, modern look but can overheat and degrade over time. Plastic kits are easy to assemble and long-lasting, while cinder blocks
are sturdy but less polished. 

Painted wood planters and a stone-topped bench share a gravel-topped space, creating a thoughtful mix of seating and utility. Design by
Emily Brooks Wayment. Photo by Mikki Platt.
Katie Wagner, USU Extension Professor. Photo by Dennis Hinkamp.
Easy-access cedar beds, stained to blend with the home’s modern-style fence and gate, are used as a retaining element to hold the grade at the appropriate elevation in a SLC property. Photo by Grey Giraffe-Alan Wilbur.

9. Customization & Creativity

From imaginatively used materials to multi-level layouts, raised beds offer endless room for creativity—something both top landscape designers and savvy home gardeners have embraced. Customize their shapes or heights, incorporate built-in trellises or experiment with companion planting to create a garden that’s truly your own. “The sky’s the limit,” Wagner says. “It’s all about making the most of your space.”

10. Bigger Harvests in Less Space

With deep, nutrient-rich soil and efficient spacing, raised beds are ideal for intensive planting and higher yields. Techniques like square-foot gardening or succession planting let you grow more in less space than traditional row gardens. But thoughtful planning is key, Wagner notes: “Nutrient management matters. Make sure plants get enough sunlight and aren’t crowded to the point of shading each other—that can limit productivity.”


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Aug 25
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Kemo Sabe’s speakeasy in Park City Embraces a Sip-and-Shop Experience

By After Dark

The folks at Kemo Sabe don’t mess around when it comes to high-end Western luxury. Their Main Street shop in Park City is a magnet for those seeking custom-fitted felt hats, top-tier cowboy boots and a trove of Americana accessories. And to elevate the retail experience even further, the boot shop has a hidden speakeasy where you can sip while you shop.

“We’re the hat store in town,” says General Manager Lindsay Perez of the Kemo Sabe location, which began as a family-owned shop in Aspen and has now expanded to six locations in the American West. “But each location also goes the extra mile to give shoppers a one-of-a-kind experience that you can’t find at other retailers: a secret speakeasy.” 

Photo credit Deborah DeKoff.
Photo credit Deborah DeKoff.

Kemo Sabe PC, which opened in 2023, fills its shop with family-owned vendors and artisan ware. But tucked away within the curated floor is an unassuming display shelf that, when touched just right, reveals the entrance to the hidden bar. You can thrill in the hunt by kicking around for it, or avoid damaging a pair of $1,800 python boots by simply telling the staff you’re looking for a drink. It’s your call. 

Photo credit Deborah DeKoff.

Complete with cowhide rugs, long-horn mounts and natural wood finishes, guests are greeted with old-world saloon vibes. The full-service bar can pour up any number of classic cocktails, or a few fingers of a high-end local bourbon. With a glass in hand, step over to Kemo Sabe’s hat-steaming or boot-fitting stations, where stylists can help you find the perfect fit. 

Kemo Sabe’s speakeasy is open to the public seven days a week during regular 
tore hours and is also available for private rentals. Grab your gals and spend an afternoon customizing hats with feathers, pins, beaded chains, brands and all the other bells and whistles your little cowgirl heart desires. And hell, why not pair the experience with a bottle of bubbles and a round of espresso martinis? A little shopping under the influence never hurt anyone.   

If You Go

Kemo Sabe
268 Main St., Park City
Check their website for seasonal store hours | kemosabe.com

See more stories like this and all of our Food and Drink coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best life in Utah? 

Aug 21
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Backpacking Spots Near Salt Lake City that Feel a Million Miles Away

By Adventures

Seems like it’s getting harder and harder to just go—no plans, no apps, no three-month-in-advance reservations. These days, even snagging a simple night under the stars can feel like coordinating a moon landing.

Fortunately, tucked along the Wasatch Front are a handful of overnight backpacking trips that don’t require hours of driving, no spreadsheets or permits required—just a free evening, a bit of gear and a hankering for starry skies. So, for those times you just want to shoulder a pack and disappear into the mountains, we’ve got you covered.

From trailheads you can reach after work to alpine lakes and quiet ridgelines that still feel wild, these close-to-home backpacking adventures offer a much-needed escape. Below, we’ll cover five solid overnight routes perfect for a quick getaway, along with a checklist of essential gear to ensure your night in the mountains is safe, warm and comfortable.

1. Lake Blanche Trail (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

  • Lake Blanche Trail (Big Cottonwood Canyon)
  • Distance: 6.8 miles round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate:

Why we love it:

This gorgeous trail brings you to an Alpine lake with stunning views of Sundial Peak. It gets crowded in the summer and early fall, but you’ll still find plenty of space to spread out. Amongst granite peaks, you’ll experience wildflowers and wildlife. It’s the quintessential overnight trip, but you’ll have neighbors. It’s very popular—but there’s plenty of room to have space to yourself.

2. Lone Peak 

  • Distance: 11–15 miles round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 5,600 feet
  • Difficulty: Challenging

Why we love it:

Rising sharply above the Salt Lake valley, Lone Peak is one of our greatest mountain monuments. Its isolated single granite summit juts in a dramatic point with sheer cliffs and white granite wildness on every side. There are five different routes to the top. Jacob’s Ladder, while the shortest, is also the steepest. The route from Bell’s Canyon is longer, but passes waterfalls and unmatched scenery. No matter what you choose, you’ll face challenging terrain that buys you a calorie-fest at Crown Burger when you finish. There are campsites in the upper cirque area, where we suggest you regain your strength before ascending the peak. You’ll want to ditch the backpack for that anyway. 

3. Red Pine & Upper Red Pine Lake (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

  • Distance: 7 miles round trip to Red Pine; 10 to Upper Red Pine
  • Elevation Gain: 2,000–2,500 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Why we Love it

Tucked away high in the Wasatch, the climb is steady without being excruciatingly steep. Winding through pines and aspens, the lake sits at a cirque basin surrounded by rugged granite ridges, offering plenty of spots among the trees and boulders. We suggest camping on the slabs to get a clearer view of the brilliant stars each night, reflected back in the clear alpine lake. It’s a great jumping off point for the Pfeifferhorn summit, just a couple miles beyond the lake. 

4. Desolation Lake via Mill D North Fork and Desolation Trail

  • Distance: 7.4 miles round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Why we Love it

Another serene lake tucked deep in the high Wasatch wilderness, the hike will enchant you with wildflowers while keeping you well-shaded with aspen groves and brilliant conifers. Unlike the lakes we’ve mentioned above, this one feels more meadowy and open, as if Maria from The Sound of Music might come spinning down the grassy slopes while bursting into song. You can spread out and find a quiet spot, and the mileage is manageable.

5. Mount Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail

  • Distance: 14 miles round trip
  • Elevation Gain: 4,400 feet
  • Difficulty: Challenging

Why we Love it

Considered THE MOST iconic peak in the Wasatch, the Timp trek passes Alpine meadows, waterfalls, glaciers and goats. Seriously—you’re almost guaranteed to see a mountain goat or two. The views are spectacular, the scenery is breathtaking and you’re bound to feel like a world-conqueror at the top. As with every major peak in Utah, you’ll encounter many who hike this all in one day rather than stopping for the night (and more than a few who run this in space of a morning—the maniacs). If you want to camp (which we highly recommend),  sheltered spots are at the ready along the trail, with the most coveted near Emerald Lake.

Honorable Mentions:

  • White Pine Lake (Little Cottonwood Canyon) – quieter than Red Pine
  • Cecret Lake and Catherine Pass area – great for base-camping with several lake hikes nearby
  • Uinta Highline Trail: A more strenuous, multi-day trek through the Uinta Mountains, offering a true wilderness experience. 
  • South Willow Lake Trail: Located in the Stansbury Mountains, this trail offers stunning views and is a good option for families. 

Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip:

  • Check trail conditions, elevation and water sources
  • Leave no trace: Pack out everything you pack in, and minimize your impact on the environment.
  • Open Fires: Are prohibited in most areas.
  • Add rain/warm gear: Mountain weather can change quickly, so be prepared for all types of conditions.
  • Share your plans with someone: Let a friend or family member know your itinerary and expected return time.

The University of Utah Campus Recreation Center rents to the public. If you’ve never been backpacking before, we recommend renting first before purchasing a setup: 

  • Nightly rental rates: 
  • Backpack: $13
  • Backpacking stove: $10
  • Lightweight Tent: $13
  • Sleeping Bag: (Rated for expected temps) $12
  • Pad: $4-6
  • Cookmeal set: $4

Grand total for one overnight trip rental: $58

Other supplies to pack

  • Plastic Bag for picking up all trash: Leave no trace
  • Food: (Dehydrated meals packs, sandwich and oatmeal packs, granola bars
  • Water Bottle (with filter)
  • Insulating Layer: The mountains are cold at night, even in the summer. Bring something warm, light, and easy to pack (a puffy in a stuff sack, for instance)
  • Extra pair of socks
  • Flash light/Head lamp
  • First-aid supplies (inlcuding moleskin for blisters)
  • Hiking shoes and socks

Discover more outdoor inspiration and find all our Adventure coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?

Aug 20
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Trump Pledges to Get Rid of Voting by Mail—Will Utah be a target?

By City Watch

President Donald Trump this week vowed to “lead a movement to get rid of” voting by mail ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. 

“WE WILL BEGIN THIS EFFORT, WHICH WILL BE STRONGLY OPPOSED BY THE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THEY CHEAT AT LEVELS NEVER SEEN BEFORE, by signing an EXECUTIVE ORDER to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections,” the president said in a post on Truth Social Monday. 

Trump, who has long opposed voting by mail, continued to claim, without evidence, that it’s fraught with fraud. 

Utah has been the only red state among eight that have conducted universal by-mail elections, including six Democratic strongholds and one swing state — a fact that some conservatives here have balked at, while others have defended the state’s by-mail system as a popular, convenient and safe voting method. 

After Trump’s post, Utah’s top election official, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, a Republican, issued a short statement on social media without addressing the president directly. 

“The constitutional right of individual states to choose the manner in which they conduct secure elections is a fundamental strength of our system,” Henderson said. 

The president, however, asserted that states should do what the federal government wants. 

“Remember, the States are merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes,” Trump said. “They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do.”

Another high-ranking Republican and member of GOP legislative leadership — Senate Majority Assistant Whip Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork — disagrees. 

McKell told Utah News Dispatch in an interview Tuesday that, like Henderson said, states have the right to choose how to administer their elections, and that he’d push back on an effort to completely undo voting by mail. 

“In Utah, we’re in a good place. I think there’s strong support for vote by mail. There’s also strong support for security,” McKell said.

He added that’s “the needle we tried to thread” earlier this year when the 2025 Utah Legislature passed a bill that he sponsored to require voter ID and eventually phase out automatic voting by mail in this state by 2029. The aim of that bill, he said, was to preserve voting by mail as an option for Utah voters while also adding a new layer of security. 

Even though local polls have shown a vast majority of Utahns remain confident in their elections, Gallup polling shows trust nationally has decreased especially among a faction of Republican voters since 2006 as elections have become more polarized. After Trump lost the 2020 election, he ramped up rhetoric to cast doubt on election security and voting by mail. 

Asked about Trump’s comments this week, McKell reiterated it’s a matter of states rights. 

“It is a federalism issue,” he said. “If it’s not enumerated in the (U.S.) Constitution, it’s reserved for the states. That’s article 10. I think states have the right to dictate how they run their elections.” 

McKell also defended Utah’s track record as a state that has used voting by mail for years, starting with optional pilot programs that counties opted into before moving to universal voting by mail. 

“In the state of Utah, Republicans have done really well with vote by mail. We elect Republicans,” he said, also noting that Trump in 2024 won the red state handily. “There’s generally broad support for vote by mail, especially among rural voters and elderly voters in Utah.” 

He added that “it’s OK if there’s some tension between the federal government and state government,” but he argued the Constitution clearly reserves elections for states to control and administer. 

Pressed on how he’d respond to pressure from the Trump administration to get rid of voting by mail, McKell said, “I would resist a movement that didn’t originate in the state,” adding that he responds to his constituents, not the federal government. 

“If there’s a movement to change vote by mail, it needs to come from — it must come from — the state,” he said. “It’s a state issue. The states need to be in control of their own elections. Right now, I don’t feel like there’s a reason to eliminate vote by mail. I think we do a good job.” 

Not all Republicans in Utah embrace voting by mail, however, Earlier this year, McKell’s bill was the result of a compromise between the House and Senate to more drastically restrict the state’s universal vote-by-mail system. 

Asked whether Trump’s comments could further inflame skepticism around the security of voting by mail in Utah, McKell said it’s nothing new. “We saw these comments before, and even going into the last legislative session, there were folks that opposed vote by mail.” 

But McKell said multiple state audits “have shown that our elections are safe and secure,” while legislators have also made efforts to continually improve the system where issues have cropped up, like in voter roll maintenance. 

It remains to be seen whether Trump’s comments could fan some Republican lawmakers’ appetite to go after voting by mail during their next general session in January, but McKell said typically every year there’s a slew of election bills for legislators to sort through. 

Asked whether he plans to make any tweaks to his 2025 bill, McKell said he’s still talking with clerks about any possible changes. 

“I feel like we did strike a really appropriate balance, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look at ways to make it better,” he said, adding that he doesn’t have any specific proposals yet, “but that could change as we get closer to the legislative session.” 

This story was originally published by Utah News Dispatch, read the full article here.

See more stories like this and all of our City Watch coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?

About the Author

Katie McKellar covers Utah government as a senior reporter for Utah News Dispatch. She specializes in political reporting, covering the governor and the Utah Legislature, with expertise in beats including growth, housing and homelessness.

Aug 20
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The Moab Music Festival Entices Nature-Loving Audiences

By Arts & Culture

Staging chamber concerts in nature to celebrate outdoor acoustics is just one element of the celebrated Moab Music Festival. Of course, the main event is the composition itself and the skill and dexterity of the musicians. But the fantastical settings are close rivals.

Take, for instance, a red rock grotto on the banks of the Colorado River accessible only by jet boat, where a Steinway grand piano sits in stark contrast to its desert stage. Or a secluded canyon, scored at the top of a bright morning hike where a couple dozen audience members take in a string arrangement of Bach’s Partita No. 3. Picture red mesas towering over a riverboat, fitted with a woodwind ensemble on the foredeck in a floating Mozart serenade. Or foamy whitewater crests, snaking along crimson towers, where adventurous music-lovers battle waves with raft-mates (a handful of whom might feel more at home in Carnegie Hall than in this heart-pumping Cataract Canyon). Later at camp, a cello will wail in concert with distant coyotes.



Festival-goers, tucked into a red rock grotto, are treated to a violin concerto. Photo Courtesy of Moab Music Festival

Photo Courtesy of Moab Music Festival

“The Moab Music Festival brings world-class musicians into pristine, intimate settings where they perform in concert with the landscape,” says Festival organizer Tara Baker, who describes it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for audiences, but also for performers. “It’s often a favorite stage for them—playing in these natural amphitheaters and red rock concert halls. So we draw some of the most recognized musicians in the world.”

In a town known for fueling adrenaline junkies on Slickrock Trail and Hell’s Revenge, the classical music palette might seem like a mismatch. Instead, consider the Moab Music Festival a soft landing place for those who don’t regularly patronize the Royal Albert Hall. A writer from the Wall Street Journal once admitted she didn’t know Tchaikovsky from Brahms, but the beauty of the festival was, she didn’t have to. 

“The music seems to articulate something in our souls when we’re in nature,” describes Elizabeth Dworkin, a representative for the event, adding that there is no need to be well-versed in the classical genre in order to enjoy. “People come to this festival to feel something. And then they keep coming back because of what they feel, not what they know.”

Audience members also love the intimacy with the musicians. Sitting in the grotto, one can nearly reach out and touch cellist Jay Campbell’s nimble fingers dancing the length of his fingerboard from neck to bass bar. Or, after a day battling whitewater, one could easily strike up a conversation with Grammy-nominated violinist Tessa Lark, who also happens to be the festival’s new Artistic Director. 


During a float tour down the Colorado, audiences pause for a musician playing riverside. Photo Courtesy of Moab Music Festival

“I take genuine pleasure in personally connecting with folks from all backgrounds,” Lark says of the intimate vibe. “What makes the Festival extraordinary is relishing nature and music all at once, and being able to share that heaven-on-earth with others.”

As you can imagine, the more intimate and remote the setting, the higher the price tag. The 4-day, 3-night Cataract Canyon Musical Raft experience, complete with victuals by celebrated chef Kenji Lopez-Alt, who will “explore the parallels between food and music through curated meals and demonstrations,” comes in at over $5K a pop. 

But not all of the performances over the two-week festival (20 concerts in total) is aimed at the deep-pocketed. Many of the acoustically perfect “stages,” surrounded by buttes, mesas and endless sky, happen at other locales in Moab. 

“Making the music festival accessible to the community is extremely important to us,” says Baker. More modestly-priced offerings take place at a historic hall, a local resort, a café—even a working farm. There’s also a free community Labor Day concert in the park. 

Like the venues, programming is decisively varied, a reflection of Lark’s forward-thinking vision, with new faces like Latin-fusion band People of Earth, bluegrass mandolinist Sierra Hull and singer-guitarist Lau Noah. 

Call it a bucket list item or a religious experience, just make the Moab Music Festival part of your Labor Day plans.  


Photo Courtesy of Moab Music Festival

The 33rd Moab Music Festival: From low $ to high $$$ 

Dipping a Toe $35-90

  • Opening Night
    Program: At historic Star Hall, the program features a night of duos and Schubert’s Trout Quintet. (Wednesday, Aug. 27)
  • Music Hikes
    Program: A chamber orchestra awaits trekkers in a secluded canyon. (Saturday, Aug. 30; Sunday, Aug. 31; Saturday, Sept. 6)
  • Sorrel River Ranch
    Program: Grammy-nominated mandolinist Sierra Hull graces audiences with her 5-piece band. (Saturday, Sept. 6)

Diving In $100-250

  • Floating Concerts
    Program: Explore the Colorado River by morning on a riverboat while taking in an ensemble of woodwinds or strings. (Friday, Aug. 29 or Sunday, Sept. 7)
  • Kin
    Program: Collaborators Andy Akiho (steel pan) and Ian Rosenbaum (marimba) perform in a glass-walled, open-air venue. (Wednesday, Sept. 3)
  • Ranch Benefit Concert: Edgar Meyer—Then & Now
    Program: Set at a private ranch, famed double bassist Edgar Meyer dazzles guests with a Bach Sonata and hand-picked trios. (Friday, Sept. 5)

Cannon-balling $500 +

  • Grotto Concerts
    Program: Delight in the rhythm of a guitar or the tremor of a Steinway grand piano with cozy ensembles in a secret grotto. (Thursday, Aug. 28, Thursday, Sept. 4, Tuesday, Sept. 9)
  • Cataract Canyon Musical Raft Trip with Chef Kenji López-Alt
    Program: Float with artists and an an award-winning chef for a 3-day, 4-night star-studded musical and culinary experience in Cataract Canyon. (Tuesday – Friday, Sept. 9-12)


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Aug 19
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SV Cafe in West Jordan Serves up South India Comfort Food Favorites

By Eat & Drink

Dosas are a culinary blank canvas of sorts, but they’re anything but boring. Made with fermented rice and lentils, dosas start with a light, crêpe-like batter that’s typically griddled fresh to order until crisp around the edges, rolled with myriad fillings, and deliciously dipable in zippy chutneys, chunky sambhar and sauces ranging from mildly savory to wildly spicy.    

“It’s the comfort food of South India, from very traditional to more modern flavors,” said Managing Partner and beloved award-winning SLC restaurateur Lavanya Mahate during a recent food media event at SV Café. Bustling with friends, family and business neighbors, all rubbing elbows with a few food writers and a smattering of local social media influencers, Mahate was celebrating the re-launch (and new name) of this colorful and warm space in West Jordan. The SV Café origin story melds food traditions with community connections begun in 2017, with the restaurant’s founding by Hindu Temple Priest Shri Satish Nenmali Seshadri—currently in Chennali, India running a Gurukul (spiritual school) for underprivileged youth—co-owner Dr. Dinesh Patel, and others devoted to creating a 100% vegetarian community gathering space featuring the best of South India.   

Lentil fritters
Tomato cheese uthappam
Semolina pudding

As can be expected at a media event like this, the kitchen shared bites of a bit of everything for guests to taste. Dosas were definitely the star of the show: We tried itty-bitty cone-shaped dosa filled with spiced and satisfying potato, buttery and crispy dosa with mixed cheese, and even an of-the-moment dessert dosa with Dubai chocolate, pistachio and kadaif.  

Also passed by the gracious staff were traditional uthappam (lentil pancakes) topped with cheese and tomatoes, which I can totally imagine even the pickiest of kiddos scarfing down without a blink. There were vada sambhar (lentil fritters with a saucy rainbow of stews and sauces), and even more desserts from vegetable-based fudges, to soft gulab jumun (milk dumplings in cardamom syrup), to a totally craveable finish of silky rava kesari (semolina pudding with cashews). Notable: Much of the menu is gluten-free and/or vegan, to boot.   

Just being in proximity to so many people filled with joy, generosity of spirit, and earnest and honorable intentions gave my self-admittedly jaded heart a little pitter pat. (I swear it wasn’t just being slightly sanctimonious about having a meal that reduced my carbon footprint a bit.) Their goal of building community connection through sharing the basic human pleasure of delicious food is genuinely and generously shared here at SV Café, and it’s a lovely addition to our food scene, full stop.     

I’m planning to go back and sample more of the menu soon, and am especially tempted by the “chaat counter” of the menu for indulging in some traditional snack combos. I mean, if Lavanya Mahate says that’s where to start, who am I to contradict? 

When You Go…

SV Café
1617 W. 9000 South, West Jordan
801-996-3628
svcafeutah.com

See more stories like this and all of our Food and Drink coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best life in Utah?

Aug 15
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Salt Lake Magazine Dishes on Date Night

By Community

On the eve of another summer weekend, many of us are wracking our brains for new date night ideas. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with dinner and a movie. But the Beehive State is brimming with ways to impress your hinge date, surprise your SO, or tickle the fancy of your platonic Saturday-night companion. Here to offer their own date night itineraries, Salt Lake magazine staff dishes on new restaurants, hidden gems, live music venues and more. 

Jeremy Pugh—Salt Lake magazine Editor-in-Chief

Where We Go
Dinner and a show at The State Room.

What We Do
As summer wanes, and along with it the many accompanying outdoor activities, especially concerts, our thoughts turn toward our “winter activities.” High on the list is taking in a show at the State Room. We have a group of concert friends (that often includes one of Salt Lake magazine’s music writers, John Nelson), and we all generally meet for dinner at the Bayou, mainly because it is right across the street from the music hall. RIP Purgatory. 

Why We Love It
Although we enjoy the Commonwealth Room, a larger hall that attracts bigger names, The State Room is THE place to see music in Salt Lake. Why? So many reasons. It is small, with great sound. There’s raised seating in the back (and this is key); the bar area is acoustically segregated from the performance space. If you feel like chit-chatting, you can do it out in the bar/lobby. (Bonus: the drinks are reasonably priced compared to other wallet-gouging venues) Inside, the evening is all about the music and there isn’t a bad spot in the house. The bands that play are generally on the rise and we’ve seen artists who now play larger shows like Red Butte (Con Brio) and even, in some cases, arenas—for example, Brandi Carlile, no joke. Other upsells, the ticket prices are usually reasonable “in the current climate,” and the shows start and end on time. 

Spencer Windes—Salt Lake magazine Managing Editor

Where We Go: 
Dinner and a show

What We Do:  
Start off your night with a big ol’ tower. Namely, the Seafood Tower at Rouser at the Asher Adams. A healthy serving of oysters and other mollusks and crustaceans will set the mood under the gorgeous ceiling of the former Union Pacific depot. A glass of Bordeaux blanc from from Chateâux Recougne will make it all go down smoother than your signature moves. Get a cocktail at the bar. Pretend you are a fancy adult.

After dinner, mosey on over to the Suntrapp for Thirsty Thursday drag night. Drink a few pints—the night is young and you might get lucky, so don’t get sloppy on margaritas. Shows start at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM. If you strike out: The Pie Hole is open until 3:00 AM if you need to console your broken heart with a hot slice of potato bacon. Sadness is always better with carbs.

Avrey Evans—Salt Lake magazine Digital Editor

Where We Go:
Canyon drives and Midway bites 

What We Do:
I love a swanky dinner downtown as much as the next gal, but sometimes my boyfriend and I just want to escape the noise and opt for a classic Utah pastime—a canyon drive. We begin our ascent into Big Cottonwood Canyon, following the paved road to the top and then peeling off into Guardsman’s Pass for stunning top-of-the-world views. If we’re up for it, we’ll make a pit stop at Bloods Lake. The hour-ish hike meanders between swaying aspens and towering pines before spitting you out at a cute little lake. 

After stretching our legs, we continue our mini road trip through the Wasatch Range and into Midway. The town is dotted with boutiques and specialty shops; it’s definitely worth parking the car and exploring Main Street before settling in for lunch. Midway Mercantile is our tried-and-true for a late lunch or early dinner. Their back patio is ideal for summertime feasting, and the specials menu always showcases seasonal produce from local purveyors. 

If we don’t feel like making the trek back into the city, we love spending the night at the historic Heber Senator B&B. Built in 1902, the three-story home has been carefully preserved and adorned with eclectic decor—an original rotary phone and pioneer-era knick-knacks included. It’s just the right amount of charming and bizarre for us, not to mention the complimentary made-to-order crepes that refuel us the next morning.

Why We Love It:
Salt Lake seems to be stepping into a new era of mid-city maturity. And while I’m excited about the opportunities that come with that growth, there’s something comforting about returning to the spots that still capture the quirky, wonderful soul of Utah.

Megan Bartholomew—Utah Style & Design and Utah Bride & Groom Executive Editor

Where We Go
Silver Fork Lodge

What We Do
We usually go not for date night, but for “date Saturday morning.” It starts with breakfast at the lodge—on the patio in the summer, inside by the fire in the winter— followed by a walk around Silver Lake to enjoy those iconic mountain views. 

Why I Love It
As born-and-bred mountain lovers, canyon drives are the way to each of our hearts. Our trips to Silver Fork started as a weekend-drive tradition when we were first dating, and have turned into a Saturday-morning staple that has continued through our marriage and parenthood. We fell in love there; we got engaged there; it’s where we shared our last dinner ‘out’ together before the arrival of our first child. And I already know we’ll use this tradition to instill that ‘Wasatch Love’ in our children.

Jaime Winston—Salt Lake magazine contributor

Where We Go
Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park

What We Do
Walk, talk and take selfies with the dinos.

Why I Love It
The park’s walking trail is relatively flat and surrounded by more than 100 dinosaur sculptures, giving you the chance for a fun leisurely stroll and photos with all the dinos. If the relationship goes somewhere, you’ll have pics with triceratops and allosaurus to look back on. The park also hosts unique events throughout the year, next week is their Dinah ‘soar’ Days Hot Air Balloon Festival. Visit from Aug. 22–24 to witness hundreds of colorful hot air balloons take off into the sky, stay for the evening festival featuring chalk art, food vendors, a car show, and a fun Dino Dash race down Main Street.

Melissa Fields—Salt Lake magazine Contributor

Where We Go: 
Wherever the trail takes us

What We Do: 
There are a couple of things my hubby and I like to do for date nights in the summer. One of our go-tos when we feel like pushing ourselves is renting e-mountain bikes and riding single track from the mouth of Parleys Canyon to City Creek Canyon (via the various sections of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and Dry Creek) and then have lunch out on the covered patio at Avenues Proper. It’s a 30ish-mile ride, but on the e-bike, it is totally pleasurable with no suffering. And we need some post-trail R&R, we spend a few hours hot and cold plunging at Glow Bathouse, followed by dinner at Forty Three Bakery. 

Darby Doyle—Salt Lake magazine Contributor

Where We Go
Deer Valley Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater 

What We Do
Enjoy the last gasps of summer in the mountains catching a concert on the lawn. 

Why I Love It
What’s not to love about a Deer Valley concert at dusk? DV has the most grab-bag of concert lineups every year and we love them for it. Even though patrons can no longer bring in their own booze (sound on: British Parliament “boo, boooooo”) we appreciate that it’s still a remarkably easy and free parking situation, there are well-organized and quick ID check/drinks lines for grabbing that overpriced beer, and we reliably run into lots of fun local friends in the crowd to share snacks. Win-win. 

Luis Henriques—Salt Lake magazine Production Manager

Where We Go
All the SLC Hits

What We Do
A great date day usually starts with a honey cinnamon latte and a snack at Canyons Coffee, where I catch up with their friendly staff, scroll through texts, and actually “wake up.” After that, we drive up to Salt Lake for a small hike up Ensign Peak, taking in the city views and point out planes flying into the airport. From there, we go for a healthy downtown stroll before ending up at Pie Hole for a couple of slices (or three). On the way out of the city, we have to swing by RubySnap to chat with the staff, and snag a Suzie cookie, and many others.

On the drive home, we’ll stop by Prohibition for drinks and snacks, feeling fancy in their speakeasy vibes. Later, we’ll walk around our neighborhood, chat about our next outing, and wrap up with a cozy movie at home.

Why I Love It
I love date days like these because they remind me of my “rookie season” in Utah, where everything is what I did when I first moved here to get familiar with the area!

Michaelis Lyons—Utah Style & Design and Utah Bride & Groom magazine Digital Editor

Where We Go
The Melting Pot

What We Do
When I was younger, my family had a yearly tradition of dining at The Melting Pot every Christmas Eve. Now, it is where my husband and I go to celebrate our anniversary. The Melting Pot offers a four-course dinner for two, perfect for an elevated romantic night out that doesn’t break the bank.  

Why I Love It
On top of their spectacular specialty cocktails—I can never resist their Love Martini—The Melting Pot offers a gluten-free dining experience, making it one of the few restaurants that we can still enjoy as a couple.


Read more stories like this and all of our Community coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.

Aug 15
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Mayor Mendhall Pleads Lawmakers to do More for Houseless Salt Lakers

By City Watch

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall has issued yet another call to the Utah Legislature to more seriously consider funding requests to bolster the state’s homeless system. 

The mayor held a news conference on Wednesday hours after the Utah Office of Homeless Services released its annual report — which showed an 18% increase in the number of Utahns experiencing homelessness on a single night in January, according to the 2025 Point-in-Time Count. 

That number “should be heard as a battle cry,” Mendenhall said outside City Hall, “to bring more energy, focus and leadership to this issue by our state Legislature.” 

“I want to be clear that I’m standing here before you today because I’m deeply concerned about the trajectory of homelessness in the state of Utah and in our capital city,” she said. “And once more, I’m extremely concerned by the lack of forward momentum from legislative leaders to address this growing statewide crisis.”

On Wednesday, Mendenhall pointed to the state’s newly released homelessness data as evidence that the state’s homeless system is facing growing needs. That report also showed the number of Utah children experiencing homelessness increased by 22% and the number of unhoused Utahns over the age of 64 rose 42%.

“To our state leaders, your partners are here. We are ready and willing to work with you. And the changes that are needed are clear,” Mendenahall said, noting that city leaders have made a proposal to increase homeless shelter capacity, but it lacks state funding. 

“As your partners, we have a plan for 1,300 more shelter beds. We have made land available, yet as of today, we have only one-third of the capital funding needed to build the first phase, and not a penny of operational capital.”

 Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall (left) and Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd hold a news conference outside City Hall in Salt Lake City to urge the Utah Legislature to support more funding for homeless services on Aug. 13, 2025. (Katie McKellar/Utah News Dispatch)

‘Our citizens expect results, not finger-pointing,’ governor and legislative leaders say

In response to Mendenhall’s call, however, Utah’s top Republican leaders — Gov. Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper — issued a joint statement saying the state has invested hundreds of millions in homeless services in recent years. And they urged Mendenhall to “turn down the politics.”

“Over the past five years, the state has made the largest investment in homeless services in our state’s history, spending more than $266 million on addressing homelessness. That includes setting aside $25 million to build a transformative campus,” Cox, Adams and Schultz said.

They added that across the nation, “addressing homelessness is primarily a city and county responsibility, but in Utah, the state has stepped up as a committed partner, working alongside local governments and the private sector to find real solutions.”

“The state remains committed to enhancing public safety and maintaining order, but lasting solutions require collaboration and partnership from the city, county and private sector leaders,” they added. 

While Cox, Adams and Schultz said they’ve been “encouraged” by newly-appointed Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd’s efforts to improve safety in Salt Lake City, “it’s frustrating to continuously take one step forward and two steps back with Salt Lake City.”

“The city needs to stay focused on its core responsibility of protecting its citizens, keeping streets safe and clean and making our capital a place Utahns can be proud of and visitors want to experience,” they said. “We urge Mayor Mendenhall to turn down the politics and keep working with us to find practical and lasting solutions to this complex issue. Our citizens expect results, not finger-pointing.”

 Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall (left) and Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd hold a news conference outside City Hall in Salt Lake City to urge the Utah Legislature to support more funding for homeless services on Aug. 13, 2025. (Katie McKellar/Utah News Dispatch)

‘Salt Lake City is making good on our part’

This marks the second time in less than a month that the mayor of Utah’s capital city has called on the Republican-controlled Legislature to take city requests more seriously for more funding to more holistically address crime, substance abuse, affordable housing and homeless services.

Last month, Mendenhall said she was “disappointed” in the lack of progress from the Legislature to adhere to a list of recommendations she included the public safety plan she presented in response to demands from state leaders, who had grown frustrated with crime, drugs and illegal camping in Salt Lake City ahead of the 2025 Legislature. 

The mayor on Wednesday again pointed to her public safety plan and the actions the Salt Lake City Police Department took to increase enforcement and address homelessness.

“Salt Lake City is making good on our part,” she said. “But the reality is, this is a humanitarian crisis. This is not something we can police our way out of. … Salt Lake City is taking enforcement as far as we can, and to little avail.”

The mayor said Salt Lake City police are on pace to set records for total arrests this year, “thanks in part to increased proactive policing by our officers.” She also noted that overall citywide crime remains at or below a 16-year low.

“We are enforcing our laws,” she said, “but the sad reality is that without more mental health treatment, more shelter beds, more permanent supportive housing and more capacity in our jails, too many people remain on our streets.” 

Mendenhall said it should come as no surprise that the state’s homeless population is increasing “due to financial and economic pressures” along with a longstanding housing shortage and home and rental prices that have skyrocketed over the past five years.

“There are simply not enough options for housing, shelter beds, treatment centers or social services to meet the demand in this state,” she said.

The 2026 Utah Legislature’s general session is scheduled to convene on Jan. 20. Acknowledging that’s months away, Mendenhall said the need is “startling,” so she’s issuing the call now. 

“I’m telling you now, in the middle of our warmest months, that the situation is dire,” she said. 

This story was originally published by Utah News Dispatch, read the full article here.

See more stories like this and all of our City Watch coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?

About the Author

Katie McKellar covers Utah government as a senior reporter for Utah News Dispatch. She specializes in political reporting, covering the governor and the Utah Legislature, with expertise in beats including growth, housing and homelessness.

Aug 14
Love0

Take a Weekend Trip to Santa Barbara

By Travel

Sometimes the best adventure is the one that feels almost effortless—a quick trip that whisks you away to a world of ocean breezes, sun-drenched hillsides and timeless coastal charm. Just a short, direct flight from Salt Lake City, Santa Barbara offers exactly that kind of easy escape. Framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the American Riviera sets the stage with its iconic white stucco walls, red-tiled rooftops and palm-lined promenades.

It’s the perfect base for exploring nearby gems: the relaxed, shopping vibe of Summerland, the discreet luxury of Montecito and the creative energy of Santa Barbara’s Arts District and Funk Zone, where galleries, eateries and local makers bring the city’s vibrant soul to life. And if you’re in the mood for a countryside detour, the rolling vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley are just a short scenic drive away. Whether you’re craving beachside serenity, boutique shopping or a dash of cultural discovery, this stretch of California coast delivers—and it’s closer than you think. Here’s how to make the most of your getaway.


A young woman rides her bike down Stearns Wharf. Photo courtesy of Brad Mee.

Kayakers glide through the clear blue waters,
taking in views of the scenic waterfront.

Waterfront

Santa Barbara’s waterfront is where the city’s coastal soul truly shines—it’s a breezy blend of sophistication and laid-back charm. Begin your stroll in the Funk Zone, a vibrant neighborhood of former warehouses now brimming with art galleries, wine-tasting rooms and buzzworthy eateries, all just steps from the sea. Across the street, the hip Hotel Californian anchors the scene with its striking Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, modern luxury accommodations and standout dining. Nearby, the Harbor View Inn offers a home base with ocean views and a front-row seat to the coastal rhythm. Wander Stearns Wharf, where sailboats glide by and spots like the recently opened Oyster Bar at Moby Dick Restaurant serve up fresh seafood with sweeping views of the harbor. The waterfront delights with dockside sips at Dart Coffee Co.’s new harbor outpost and Santa Barbara Whale Watching and Sunset Cruises that whisk you out to sea. Further along the coast, Ellwood at Goleta Beach is a fresh addition to the dining scene, where coastal cuisine meets casual elegance right on the water. Whether you’re biking along Cabrillo Boulevard or sunning on the beach, the waterfront invites you to soak it all in—quintessential California with a Santa Barbara twist.


Porch, one of many Summerland home & garden boutiques, welcomes with its relaxed coastal style. Photo by Sara Prince.

An open door and outdoor table at Gala reflect the restaurant’s casual, welcoming vibe. Photo by David Collier/Visit California.

Summerland

A short drive from Santa Barbara, the seaside village of Summerland is a haven for design lovers drawn to its blend of coastal calm and curated charm. Along Lillie Avenue, a delightful mix of home, garden and lifestyle boutiques turns shopping into a carefree, slow-paced treasure hunt. At Shane Brown’s The Well, spirited and expertly selected home and garden offerings fill sun-drenched gardens and storybook cottages that embody the shop’s signature rustic elegance. Down the road, Godmothers—an independent bookstore and community hub named by Oprah Winfrey—offers over 12,000 curated titles and hosts artist and author events in a chic restored 1920s barn. Across the street, Botanik offers a lush mix of garden accents, décor and inspiration, blending indoor-outdoor style with ease. Nearby, Porch channels relaxed, coastal-inspired style in a two-story dwelling brimming with design pieces for indoors and out. And further along, Field + Fort invites you to linger, whether browsing its broad selection of bespoke furnishings and collectibles, or savoring a seasonal meal at its on-site Mediterranean-inspired café, Feast. Don’t miss the transportive oasis that is The Sacred Space, where global artifacts and serene gardens blur the line between shopping and spiritual retreat.


A fun-loving couple cruises down Cabrillo Boulevard, enjoying the breeze and waterfront views. Photo courtesy of Brad Mee.

The Hotel Californian’s chic lounge showcases Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s daring, Moroccan-inspired design. Photo courtesy of Hotel Californian.

The Well in Summerland is a treasure trove of spirited offerings, filling a sun-drenched garden area and cute cottages stocked with antiques and unique finds. Photo by Jay Sinclair.

Montecito

Tucked between the mountains and the sea, Montecito feels like a hidden enclave of understated luxury, where leafy lanes, elegant estates and a breezy village vibe draw locals, discerning travelers and a quiet contingent of celebrities who appreciate its blend of seclusion and style. Stroll through the Upper Village or along Coast Village Road, where boutiques, jewelers and chic lifestyle shops invite leisurely browsing and shopping. When hunger calls, Bettina is a must,  beloved for its wood-fired sourdough pizzas, seasonal small plates and relaxed European charm. Just minutes away, discover the otherworldly beauty of Lotusland, a 37-acre botanical wonderland tucked into the hills. Once the private estate of the eccentric opera singer and garden visionary Madame Ganna Walska, it’s now one of the most breathtaking gardens in the world (reservations required).


On a hillside in Montecito, Lotusland is a breathtaking expanse of exotic gardens
and stunning architecture. Photo courtesy of Lotusland.

A majestic whale breaches the waters off
Santa Barbara. Photo by by Adam Ernster/CondorExpress.

Arts District

In the heart of downtown, Santa Barbara’s Arts District pulses with culture, flavor and local character. Anchored by the red-tiled rooftops and graceful arches of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, this walkable neighborhood blends historic beauty with creative energy. Start your morning at the Saturday Farmers Market, where chefs and locals mingle over just-picked produce and vibrant blooms. Nearby, the extensively renovated Santa Barbara Museum of Art offers an impressive collection spanning centuries and continents. For dining, the Arts District delivers: Gala charms with its intimate setting and seasonal, locally-sourced menu, while Bouchon offers refined California-French cuisine with a strong nod to the Central Coast’s wine country. Before or after dinner, duck into The Good Lion, a moody cocktail bar overlooking State Street and known for expertly crafted drinks and a cozy, elevated vibe. Tucked just a few blocks away, The Canary hotel crowns the district with its rooftop views, boutique sophistication and Finch & Fork, its restaurant serving elevated California comfort food in a welcoming, relaxed setting.

Wine Scene

Santa Barbara is a dream for wine lovers, whether you prefer to sip your way through downtown or venture out to the wine country. Start with the Urban Wine Trail, a collection of relaxed, walkable tasting rooms tucked into neighborhoods like the Funk Zone, the Presidio and State Street, where you can sample everything from crisp Albariños to velvety Syrahs—all without leaving town. For a deeper dive, a scenic 45-minute drive inland leads to the Santa Ynez Valley, home to some of California’s most celebrated vineyards. Tour exceptional estates like Sunstone, with its Provençal-style villa. Cap it off with lunch in Los Olivos at Nella Kitchen & Bar, where house-made pastas and seasonal small plates pair perfectly with a local Pinot.

See more stories like this and all our Travel coverage.  And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best life in Utah?

Aug 14
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The Wallflowers’ Jakob Dylan On The Clash, Radio Hits, Bob Dylan and Refusing to Ever Stop Touring

By Music

I spoke with The Wallflowers’ Jakob Dylan on the phone during some rare downtime for the band in New York City. The Wallflowers will play The Commonwealth Room on Saturday, Aug. 23 2025.

We could have spoken entirely about his dad Bob, and it’d have been perfectly appropriate to do so. Instead, we talked about songs that became radio staples in the late ’90s and never stopped getting played. We agreed that The Clash’s London Calling sounds as fresh now as it ever did. He also shared that it’s best to never, ever stop touring. Lucky for him, he prefers it.     

Q: How’s your tour going?

Dylan: It’s really good. My preference is to tour a lot these days. As long as we find places to play, we stay out. It’s good to be busy.

Q: Is that tied to new music at all?

Dylan: I’m hoping I’m past that. The last record came out in 2021, but I want to get to the point where I don’t have to have a new record, just a body of work that allows us to tour anytime we want.

Q: You’ve been at this for a minute, after all. You have plenty of songs.

Dylan: I do, you know? When this band first got really busy, we had one record to play. And records are usually 12 songs long. If you only have a dozen songs to play, you might not want to play every one.

Q: I read you got into music because of The Clash. Any truth to that?

Dylan: When you’re 12 or 13, you discover bands and they have a different power over you. When you’re older, you don’t need it as much, but it still influences you. In my earlier years, I got jolted by what I heard. The Clash are considered a punk band, but I never thought of them that way. They were the best rock and roll band out there, and I haven’t changed my mind about that.

Q: I played The Clash and London Calling over and over. Joe Strummer’s the greatest.

Dylan: They all were, and it’s their writing that sets them apart. They had the best drummer, Topper Headon, and he could play differently from his peers. Listen to London Calling and it does not sound dated. I still can’t believe it was released in 1979. It sounds like a brand new record!

Q: And you think you’re not as influenced by what you listen to as you get older?

Dylan: You’re just not as pliable. You take on information and are always learning. I still do that. But I don’t listen to music the way I used to. I don’t know if anybody does. Our brains are putty, soaking up information differently. My brain still is putty, actually.

Q: Mine, too. I’m curious: when you have a song like “One Headlight” or “6th Avenue Heartache” and you hear it either on the radio 25-30 years later, what’s the reaction?

Dylan: Hearing them played never gets old. Just like that, I’m a kid again. I grew up listening to the radio, so the first time your song gets played, it’s stunning. And 30 years later, it still feels the same.

When people still listened to the radio, everybody knew the same songs. Even if it wasn’t my favorite band playing, I listened. Everyone did. It was a special time, coming up in the early ’90s. The radio was a monster.

Q: And you came up in the MTV era. I constantly wonder how music gets discovered now, but did your having music videos in heavy rotation help?

Dylan: [Music is] a free fall. Anyone can get lucky, and everybody else follows, trying to figure out how they did it. They try doing the exact same thing. Bands I’ve never heard of are playing arena shows. Thirty years ago, there was no way you didn’t know the bands playing those venues.

There’s room for everybody—and I don’t want to be the old man on the lawn and screaming at younger generations—but it’s changed. When I came up, people ahead of me thought it had changed then, and they didn’t know how to make videos for MTV. It keeps evolving, and we keep trying to adjust. What else can you do?

Q: So it’s harder now to be a career musician?

Dylan: Undoubtedly. The only advice I can give is to learn how to play your instruments well and get off the computer. Stop working alone. Tour. Travel. It’s what you have to do. You won’t make a living staying at home and making records. It’s a touring business, and it works for me.

Q: And what is it you like about being a road warrior?

Dylan: Every day is different. I came up touring, so I like waking up in new places all the time, meeting people. Something great could happen daily. That’s the troubadour experience, and it’s been around forever. In your early 20s, it sounds exciting, but in your 40s, you might grow out of it. I’m just one of those who haven’t.

Q: Have you done it long enough for people to stop asking questions about your pops?

Dylan: I never expected that to go away, but there’s not a lot to talk about when you’re a new artist. If you interviewed me 30 years ago, I was well aware of the elephant in the room then. I thought if I put my head down, it would go away after a certain amount of success. But I live with it, and have no complaints. There’s a lot worse baggage you could have strapped to you. It’s complimentary when people mention him, so it’s nothing to be upset about. We won’t get a better artist [than Bob Dylan].

Q: Have the things you liked about playing and recording changed?

Dylan: When you write songs for a living, there’s more than a few exit strategies. Pay attention and you can stop along the way. Plenty do. Those who still do it years later do so because they can’t stop. It’s like anything else you do for 30+ years, though; you keep it interesting.

Sometimes you’re happy to do it and other times you’d like a break, but it’s what you chose to do. Why would I ever stop doing this? Life is hard. You have to get through it doing something you enjoy doing. I have nothing but gratitude for being here this long. It’s joyful.

Q: Is part of that an attempt to chase another colossal hit, on the radio or otherwise?

Dylan: Name me a rock band that’s had a colossal hit recently.

Q: Good point. Maybe The Killers?

Dylan: And how long ago was that? It’s been a while. Am I craving a big hit? I mean, sure. Who wouldn’t want one?

Q: So maybe rock music isn’t exactly thriving right now, is that it?

Dylan: Rock bands are around, but not the way they were when we grew up. The genre is back where it belongs, on the outskirts, like when it started. It wasn’t always popular, and people seem stunned that it’s back on the fringes.

When I started, a songwriter wrote songs, worked with a band, and tried making a demo tape. They went to a record label. You rehearsed more. You entered the studio and recorded. And, if you were lucky, you landed on the radio. How do bands do it today, though? I wish I knew.

Q: Many want that quicker path to success, no?

Dylan: There’s always an overnight success. We didn’t have that. People considered us a failure at the beginning. But younger people or bands see their peers get so rich, so quickly, just by hitting send on the computer. Telling them about hard work at that point is asking a lot, especially when they see others find success so easily.

Q: And not comparing yourself to others is hard to do.

Dylan: It is. There’s more content to make now, and a lot of space to fill. We don’t all share the same music now. There are younger people who know all the new songs and music and they’re great, but I don’t hear those same songs. Maybe it’s because I don’t sit on a computer all day.

Q: Thanks for taking the time to connect today, Jakob.

Dylan: If you can drag a good line out of our conversation, send it to me. Maybe I can be an overnight success all over again!

Q: I’ll do my best.

Dylan: That’s all it takes.

Come see the Wallflowers do what they do best on Saturday, Aug. 23. Tickets are still available!

  • Who: Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers
  • Where: The Commonwealth Room
  • When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025
  • More info: TheStateRoomPresents.com

Read more of our music coverage and get the latest on the arts and culture scene in and around Utah. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.