Photos/Review: Treefort Music Fest in Boise with Why?, Built to Spill, and a long list of Bay Area bands
April 2, 2012
Kicking off what will hopefully become a regular music and arts festival in downtown Boise, the Treefort Music Festival saw about ten thousand people from a variety of places on March 22-25. Undoubtedly the heavy attendance was due to the phenomenal headliners Built to Spill, Why? and Of Montreal.
Here’s a festival retrospective and live performance starring Why? produced in part by local production company Retroscope Media.
A first-year event can be very interesting to witness, and even better to watch grow in time. In this case, 130 bands played in 8 different venues, which ranged from the large-scale outdoor main stage to mid-sized venues that regularly host live music, like Neurolux and Red Room. Certainly, even in this capacity, the festival had the look and feel of a developing SxSW, in that the downtown Boise area has plenty of local businesses and open lots to utilize. The producers had keeping attendees busy in mind when they packed the schedule with industry panels, interactive art performances, craft beer, food trucks, street vendors, and a daytime in-store performance at The Record Exchange from Blitzen Trapper.
An additional selling point for an out-of-towner such as myself was how Treefort’s lineup really hit a sweet spot. Over four days, the combination of bands covered a great sampling of what Boise’s music scene has to offer, as well as some of the best names in Northwest folk/Americana. However, it was the abundance of San Francisco Bay Area bands that the psychic powers of the festival’s bookers tapped into that were the most appealing. The complete list includes Mwahaha, Blasted Canyons, Tartufi, Appetite, Sister Crayon, Night Genes, The Spyrals, The Soft White Sixties, Maus Haus and the honorary former Oakland resident Why?.
Related Posts:
Photos: John Vanderslice, Appetite @ Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, 3/30/12
April 2, 2012
Related Posts:
Burger Boogaloo 2012 grand finale: Strange Boys, Los Vigilantes, Sir Lord Von Raven and Junk Species
March 28, 2012
Austin’s Strange Boys headlined the final Burger Boogaloo fiesta at Thee Parkside on Sunday. Singer Ryan Sambol seems never content to play any song the same way twice. There was a fantastic, slowed-down, twisted version of “Be Brave”. They also played a song written during Sambol’s recent months living in SF. The song was written about Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and what must have been a powerful set from the often boring Gillian Welch. Sambol had only performed the song solo a few times under the moniker Asabov Sobelo. For the last song, they called up Brigid Dawson (of Thee Oh Sees) to sing harmonies. Ryan offered keyboard choices to the audience before settling on strings. Brigid could barely contain her laughter…
Related Posts:
Burger Boogaloo 2012 part 3: Coathangers and Guantanamo Baywatch
March 27, 2012
If my pictures are getting blurry, well, blame the Boogaloo. This offering respresents Saturday night’s hoopla to the best of my failing capacities. Surely Guantanamo Baywatch provides the ultimate Burger experience. Flying surf guitars, perfectly pounded drums and bass lines so sweet you’re content to crawl right under the bar and die.
Coathangers have evolved. The bleached blonde I first encountered 2 years back screaming at the helm is either gone or converted into a black haired drummer (tho still screamy!). Said drummer did come up front to belt one out even adding some crazy guitar licks. The new sound is heavier on the keyboards and more art school to these ringing ears. Their 3rd release “Larceny and Old Lace” gives a glimpse, but it’s got to be seen to believe. [More...]
Related Posts:
Burger Boogaloo 2012, Part 2: Kings Tuff and Lollipop, Coconut Coolouts and MOM
March 26, 2012
Friday night at Thee Parkside finished off with Vermont’s King Tuff in rare form. Stage diving and moshing galore.
No one knew what to make of MOM particularly when the fat naked baby showed up. She does have a nice….er…..record collection, but I would prefer to hear “‘A’ You’re Adorable” without the squealing Mickey Mouse voiceovers. Be grateful to be spared the naked pictures!
Related Posts:
Photo Recap: The Bay Area rocks South by Southwest 2012
March 23, 2012
Two Gallants at the Google Live Lot. 03/16/12
I present to you some photos of just a few of the Bay Area bands that played SXSW this year. I’m only one man, so I called on a couple friends to contribute photos as well.
But even still, there was only so wide a net we could cast. For the first time in years, for instance, I somehow managed to not catch a single Thee Oh Sees concert — but have no fear, a Spin photographer captured this amazing moment (seriously, click through, it’s worth it).
Gratuitous second shot of Two Gallants, simply for the shot of the Texas State Capitol on the left. 03/16/12
Howlin’ Rain at the Danny Rose Presents Official Showcase at Valhalla. 03/15/12 – Photo by Jill Karjian
Related Posts:
Burger Boogaloo 2012 part 1: Shannon & the Clams, Heavy Cream, Nobunny, Hunx & his Punx
March 23, 2012
Meeeeow! Or whatever sound it is a leopard makes… Nashville’s Heavy Cream played second at the Bottom of the Hill on Wednesday for the first of MANY Burger Boogaloo events this week. Jessica (pictured here) prowled around the stage singing, screaming and spitting into a fury of hard rockin’ milky goodness.
Shannon & the Clams kicked it all off. Cody (aka King Lollipop) delivered the Buddy Holly meets Mortimer Mouse treasures.
Related Posts:
Photos: Sharon Van Etten, The War on Drugs @ The Independent 3/21/12
March 23, 2012
