Sound Script

Live at Velour – Provo, UT

Photos by Syd White

Review by Sam Howard

The early 2000s brought on a lot of fun fashion trends that some of the most famous pop artists and bands played a part in. So if you were at the Velour on September 10th, you would run into a wide variety of early 2000s attire for the EmJay Hink show. Between wearing band and artist tee’s from the early 2000s to just having the style, the crowd knew their assignment for the show. With a lineup of some of Utah’s most whimsical and talented artists, the Velour was the place to be on this night. 

Starting off the night strong was an artist named Bentelou. Taking the stage, Bentelou created such an encouraging environment in the venue, nudging the crowd to dance and be themselves to the music she was playing. The sounds that were coming from the stage during this set was very bouncy and fun, with a splash of jazz thrown in there. In between songs, jokes and stories were told about the music, and she even talked about how she released an album, “Baby Becoming…” earlier this year. Bentelou’s band was made up of so many amazing musicians in the local scene including Kemish Estrada on Guitar, Hunter Flick on Drums, and Bly Wallentine on various woodwinds. Ending off her set with a song called “Babies having Babies,” which also describes Utah’s culture perfectly, Benelou had the whole crowd on their feet dancing and warmed up for the next act. If you haven’t caught a Bentelou show yet, then you are missing out on one of the best musicians that Utah has to offer. 

Next up of the night is a band called The Penny Candies, a Utah County-based folk band who just emits smiles. I would argue that The Penny Candies is the definition of what the cottagecore genre is, and it’s always a happy day when they play. WIth the fall season coming around, this band is the perfect addition to any playlist for a canyon drive, and it is infinitely better getting to experience their sound live. Playing through their set, the sounds of the guitar and piano alone are enough to create your classic folk sound. What makes the Penny Candies unique is their addition of trumpet and a bass clarinet, which is basically the audible embodiment of what childlike wonder sounds like. The crowd participation with some of their songs was the cherry on top as well, with snapping and clapping to get something that sounds like rainfall for one of their songs. The Penny Candies are pioneering music that is unique to them and I definitely recommend catching them live.

Last up of the night was our headliner, EmJay Hink. EmJay started off her set by premiering her music video for one of her new songs, “Bless Her Little Heart.” After the projector lifted, the band took the stage and began to play, with EmJay taking the stage with a kickass rockstar attitude. With the start of the show, it was also marking the official release of her new EP, also titled “Bless Her Little Heart.” Returning to the stage to join EmJay in her band was Kemish and Hunter on guitar and drums who played earlier with Bentelou, who was also joining them on stage to play the keys. The stage was stacked with musical talent with EmJay Hink at the helm, producing dreamy sounding musical masterpieces. 

The whole set was filled with raw emotion and pure vulnerability from EmJay. She would introduce most of her songs throughout the night with stories of what they were about or what the writing process was like. From writing about her nieces and nephews, to opening up about her past relationships, EmJay does a perfect job with really connecting with her audience. Later in the night she would also bring up Riah and Callie from the Penny Candies to play a cover of “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer. 

Getting to the end of her set, EmJay would come back out for an encore, starting it off with a fantastic medley of early 2000s music which matched the theme of the night. Her last song would be the one from her music video, and the title track of her new EP, “Bless Her Little Heart.” It was such a fun experience to get to hear this song both recording and live in one night. EmJay Hink is one of the most creatively thoughtful artists in Utah, and it really shows in her new EP, which is available to stream everywhere now.