TREEFORT MUSIC FESTIVAL
3.23.2012
Long week. Kept pretty busy. Not enough time to get excited for TREEFORT MUSIC FESTIVAL until I was actually decending into Boise Thursday eve. Aaron Mark Brown was the first act we had a chance to hear. Been a fan for awhile now and finally had a chance to catch him and his band live --- great melodies, great hooks. He had me at The Invasion, and continued his winning streak with the lead single off the Idaho-Ho-Ho compilation last December...glad I finally got to catch him live. Next we heard The Loom and enjoyed the gentle, focused set they delivered. The gal on the left brought some great melodies to the table via oboe and trumpet while the lead singer alternated between sweetly sung lyrics to super dreamy lead guitar licks on this guitar, usually on only a few strings. Things were picking up as we left to try to catch the end of another bands set at the Lux, plus we wanted dance floor access for Janka Nabay. I was still a little uptight at Treefort, where you can't walk a few blocks before bumping into someone you know, until I finally let myself go and began to dance to the sway of bubu music. The crackshot Brooklyn based band kicked out the jams while a haunt-faced beauty singing backup and call and response lines that puntuated an already amazing band. The west African Nabay brought his a-game and a genuine original sound to our sheltered souls here in Boise. His intensity rose as did those dancing in the audience until we were both sweating and everyone was ever so happy to be in this moment. I moved every bone in my spine until I felt the dance inside me just wanting to pounce forth. We stayed for the entire set. Caught enough of Delicate Steve to know that I liked it and would like to see them again, but I also wanted to catch two other shows...which were at opposite ends of the respective playing fields...the Linen Building or Pengillys. Since we had been to Pengillys earlier and because I have been hearing hype about Pickwick since last year's Doe Bay Festival, we took advice from trusted Seattle sources and also a friend who was texting good things and skipped Massey Furgeson. Please come back guys, I liked what I heard. Meanwhile, the 'wick confirmed what I already was feeling --- that this is simply a re-hash of the kind of music Cold War Kids have been doing since '04-06. That being said, I don't think they are a bad band at all.
Bumped into Tyler Tornfelt, of Alaska's Tornfelt Family. When your mom is a Suzuki method private violin instructor and your dad is a high school music teacher schooled on cello, upright bass, and who knows what else...and you grow up younger than your two amazing sisters (Portland's Annalisa Tornfelt and Emily Dalfoist)...well, we just assume, if you want it, you'll have a long life involved in music if you so choose. Double T plays with breakout Portland rock-a-caribilly act Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside. Caught a few of their songs, including a Buddy Holly cover made famous not only by Holly, but also the pop-punk Bremerton band MXPX. I am not a huge fan of Ford's throwback style and her barky voice. It kind of drives me batty. I couldn't sit through the entire set but enjoyed seeing my Alaskan friends. Hope they don't take offense at my honest opinion --- again, they had a packed crowd that seemed to love them --- it's just not my cup of tea. Speaking of, I snagged some tea from the artist room upstairs which warmed my up as the night got slightly chilly. Prior to catching the last few of their songs we had found our way to the Crux for the always charming, witty Calvin Johnson, who in pink shirt reminded me of someone who would own and operate their own winery, and his deep, booming voice, delivered sans microphone with Hive Dwellers. They sounded great.
After a few songs, we decided to beeline for the Red Room in time to catch a few songs by Dinosaur Feathers, who despite pretty good harmonies failed to truly grab my attention. Their keyboard player was smacking his lips and didn't seem "on" with the rest of the band and I soon found myself kind of bored with them. We decided we'd try to catch the end of Sallie Ford's set because I would feel a little bit bad if I didn't see at least some of their performance, but the three songs we did catch simply confirmed how I already feel about the band after trying to listen to her voice over and over once on a stream from Paste Magazine or some other PR outlet.
We made it back to the Red Room to find a line waiting, but it didn't take too long to get inside, although it was packed to the gills for Mr. Gnome. As this point it was nice to chill on a leather couch and just listen from a distace. I geeked out on some interview on TV that I could read what they were saying and it was quite entertaining. We left before they finished, ready to call it a night and get ready for the next day.
Check out some photos.
On Friday, the amazing Desert Noises kicked things off at the Lux and besides playing the hit single off their current full length, every other song was new! I was so stoked to essentially hear the next record performed live in front of me. Kyle Henderson and bros are really starting to refine their dreamy sound...even venturing into modern rock terrritory on a few jams. I left elated back to the Red Room to catch a bit of Cheyanne Marie Mize, who was solid. My bassist was remarking about how hot the bass player was when another friend came up and remarked about how hot the bass player was, and then my bassist showed me a text from a girl we know saying how hot she thought the bass player was...um. Anyway, the music was ok.
And you know what, I'm already tired just thinking about writing about all the great bands I saw at Treefort. I am going to sum it up with my Top 5:
#5 ATOMIC MAMA / MAIN STAGE
Boise based Atomic Mama is a local band you can be proud of. Their music is a marriage between scuzzed out Black Keys style riffs and electro beat downs. They have added local wonder Steve Gere on drums (and his own special bass heavy keyboard) and Warnock and Kerr are two very able frontmen who can jam hard, experiement and look good doing it. Their set at Treefort was punctuated by wind and the possibility of rain, which added to the drama. Nice Idaho sleeveless sweatshirt sported by Warnock.
#4 BUILT TO SPILL / MAIN STAGE
I haven't seen BTS since Hyde Park Street Fair two and a half years ago, so I was pretty excited. They delivered the goods. Songs I haven't heard since I was 18 years old. Guitar riffs that make you think "who is this wizard, Martsch?" or even better have you scanning the stage to see who exactly (out of three guitarsits) is making that noise? Netson looked strait out of Silence of the Lambs and I enjoyed the gal onstage mimicing the drummer's drum fills. Love this band, loved the love for them. Great crowd.
#3 DESERT NOISES / NEUROLUX
It's no secret I love this band. They sound akin to Band of Horses I guess if I had to pick a band, but they are better. Their CDs get endless hours of play in my world, so maybe I was expecting to recognize a few songs, but no, they played ALL NEW SONGS with the exception of "Oak Tree". And the new songs were GREAT. Wow. Yes. Can't wait for the next record. They got a great reception from the audience and I think their next time through Boise is going to be the tipping point. The band has gotten better, the solos are there, the hair is getting long...
#2 JANKA NABAY / NEUROLUX
Music is awesome and so is dancing. It was Nabay and his band of Brooklyn associates that really got me in the mood to be at a festival. And bubu music? Who had ever heard of bubu music until now? I was dancing so hard that my spine realigned. I felt so amazing the next day...healed by the power of music. Sweaty, spine cracking, sweat poring music.
#1 TEENS / RED ROOM
TEENS songs all sound the same for the most part --- upbeat, party shredding anthems...and when you have a room full of people primed and ready for upbeat, party shredding anthems...it's like lighting a match in a room full of gasoline. I have never, ever seen people crowdsurfing onstage before but there were at least 30 extra people onstage by the second song of the night and people were crowdsurfing ONSTAGE. I'm sure it's been done before, but I've never seen it with my own eyes, so I'm just sayin' that it was awesome to be part of that experience. Made me feel like a TEENager again...
Honorable Mentions:
Mwahaha / Yeah Great Fine / Aaron Mark Brown / The Spyrals / Of Montreal
Shenendoah Davis live at The Bouquet
4.29.2011
Ms. Davis plays the piano, beautifully - and sings quirky, unique sounding songs. On this visit to Boise, she brought along a cellist, Dana Olive Tree, who added pleasing depth to the songs along with well placed harmonies. It was an enjoyably intimate affair with some new and old songs. Despite a rather poor turnout, those in attendance were smitten and demanded an encore.
VIDEO TO COME
Gashcat - Reunion! / Engine / A Seasonal Disguse / TEENS live at WilliB's 4/27/2011
I love free shows, especially when they feature really good bands. I have been meaning to see and missing TEENS for awhile so when I heard they were playing, I made it a point to get down there.
The first band, I think they were called Art Fag or Fad, I couldn't quite tell, was a loud, noisy two piece band that switched it up every other song. Their stage presence was hovering around zero and the songs were so loud it was annoying cause WilliB's is a "sandwich saloon" with no stage, an OK PA, and a small room with seating for about 30 people. On the flipside, WilliB's has kick ass food and drinks. Probably post something in "eats" soon about that...anyway back to the band...they were ok. Next.
A Seasonal Disguise played as a stripped down two-piece. Z.V. House has a real nice Neil Young vibe to his voice and his singing partner added great harmonies. These two played sans PA and walked around the room getting up in people's areas and then moving after a few moments or a song or two. They played until the next band was finished setting up.
The next band, which I knew nothing about going into it, was actually two different bands on tour together, helping each other out on various instruments - a great way to travel. Gashcat kicked things off. The lead singer Kyle had a really sweet voice.
His energy was akin to a young Jack White - shaking his hair like he was trying to scare off bees, hitting high notes I haven't heard from a male singer in a long time. The keyboardist was playing a Juno-6, a classic 80s synth you don't get to hear very often. And the songs - wow. Fans of Neutral Milk Hotel could get behind this...I also heard a bit of Jeremy Enigk in there...all bundled with youthful enthusiasm and energy. Very nice to stumble upon this band. I highly recommend them.
Their other band in this conglomeration was simply called "Engine". Dude was wearing shades indoors at night so he said something to the effect of "I'm not trying to be pretentious, I just lost my glasses and these are perscription". Ha ha! Great songwriter, singer and killer short set of songs. Picked up his CD and I love it.
The closing band of the night, TEENS, is a recent Boise buzz band - putting out a new record full of 60s style surf-rock-pop and landing on MTV's "Hive" (whatever that is). Their music is way catchy and fun to bop along to - I love it. Their drummer is a badass who plays with a very tight, centered style much like Matt Aviero from Cold War Kids. The rest of the guys were all squished onto the tiny "stage" and played their reverb laden guitars with passion - good singing, catchy tunes, a nice fast paced set. I will be looking forward to hearing more from TEENS and glad they are part of the Boise music scene.
4.27.2011
Shipshape - Self Titled EP
Shipshape is a two-piece band comprised of male-female vocal harmonies, simple song delivery (mostly acoustic guitar, vocals and some flute) and you might love it if you are into bands like Cat Power or lo-fi femal folk music.
"Route 101" has a haunting, rainy day melody that slides down in a meloncholy way that is very nice. Maybe sounds a bit like a female Ben Lee.
Jeffrey Barker's flute is pretty sublime. His lead vocals on "The Devil Walked in Devon" are kind of odd, I can't really tell if I like the songs shaky structure...but it's defintely not something that would cause me to turn off the song.
Kelsey Swope, the female portion of this songwriting-singing duo has a semi-affected voice, it's kind of unique sounding...and Barker adds harmonies that fit well and sit nicely. This is duo that I'd like to see continue to make records, but maybe step it up a notch from the simplicity of this debut e.p. into something a bit grander.
The songs are unadorned - but in a way its like their right there in your living room. How they sound recorded is how they sound live. They don't dabble in lots of layering. It is a true sound and I can get down with that. Check them out for yourself!
4.27.2011
New Transit - One
New Transit is a band comprised of two great songwriters, a great drummer, and a wildly popular Boise sideman who brings pedal steel to the mix; which is a hot North West trend right now...and in alt-country in general...which is squarely where I would begin to describe their sound to you.
It is country, but it is also heartland music, it is also Topenga Canyon style music - singer-songwriters coming around to serenade with a catchy hook, a good melody and a good story.
Sean Hatton and Adam Gates make up the songwriter tag team supplying this group with what sounds like a full album of solid music...and some definite hits. The pedal steel is simply icing on already enjoyable songs, played expertly and uniquely by Dave Manion.
"Counting The Cards Again" is a strong opener, and the second song "Help Me Hold Onto You" is so good I plan on covering it myself. Gates' first song in the mix, "Let's Talk About It" leans a bit to the cheesy side, meanwhile his strongest cut "What's Real" is buried in the mix clocking in as song number nine. The closing song"Don't Let Me Go Down" has a really nice group chorus and is a great ending.
Hatton scores songwriting hits with the Wilco-esque "In The End" which has a nice bouncy piano line, and "All I Have Is Words" which goes into some nice Neil Young and Crazy Heart territory around 2:15...as well as what could be the sleeper hit of the album - the very strong, very memorable "Sunny Day".
The remainder of Gates written tunes bring a bit of the alternative into the alt-country...but the songs mix nicely with Hatton's more country leaning voice and serve as a good counterpoint.
All in all, a very promising debut from former members of Exit 51, West of Eerie and The Roman Candles.
4.27.2011
Thomas Paul - Goodbye Waterloo
There is a "Boise" mix going on right now, today, on my iTunes. I have uploaded three new albums all featuring talent from Boise, ID and put them on a random mix...and so far, I am very happy with the results. Played some Scrabble outdoors while the sun set tonight listening to these artists...each has a great unique sound.
T. Paul has released his second disc into the world and it is leaps and bounds beyond his last release "House On Fire" in terms of songwriting, overall mood and use of additonal players. Paul is a gifted musician who performs on a regular basis around Boise, most regularly as a Monday night solo act at Red Feather Lounge, where he mostly plays quirky covers, a few originals and doesn't turn up very loud. Getting to see him play live recently he had about what seemed like 6-8 extra people on stage with him and it sounded great. His CD is also layered with many additonal instruments that help flesh out his sound. Flute, horns, strings, piano, organ, vibes, and Rhodes swirl around his decidedly moody lyrics and tones. This album is full of great songs that continue to grow on me. Recently a "single" was selected to play on a loop for a new radio station in Boise and hearing it on the air made me dive back into this record - it's deep, it has hits and it is great driving music. In fact, it was night driving and this is a soundtrack to moving across black oceans of land via the moon. Start with these recommendations and then choose your own favorites: Stuntman, Steal Yr Flame, Benjamin, All The Time, and Pharohs.
4.27.2011
4.27.2011
Hello music lover.
Not sure how you ended up here, but if you love music, you might get a kick out of these reviews. Check back often for thoughts concerning feelings about music in general, live shows we get to see, and new albums we are listening to and want to tell you about. This is going to be fun, inspirational, and informative...eventually. Give us time to grow, please, were just getting started.