February 28th, 2009

As reported weeks ago, former Hanger owner Carl Pense is remodeling the piano bar in the Mode/North Face building into a club.

February 27th, 2009

Looks like my camera had a good time at the BLues Society Fat Tuesday.

Must of flashed to get the beads.

February 26th, 2009

We lost a champion this week. My mon-in-law Betty Blades passed quietly. She was one of those remarkable people who accepted you and love you for it.

Mom Betty We will miss you.

February 24th, 2009

Very Roughly translated, let the good times roll, Boise.

Tons of fun tonight. B! and the Diamonds early at Liquid. New lights, new art and Sweet Lissa Lou behind the bar. Come early, B! will start after work.

Then Nathan and the Quartertons are at the Reef. Finish up with burlesque at Nurelux(sp). Could be a very fun night

Or maybe it means let’s have dessert at the race track!

February 22nd, 2009

Hard to believe this was once described as “On Highway 30-1 mile east of town-.Commercial men wanted.”

Now?  It is right across from KTVB  and a long way from even the west end on Boise.

Where is this?

February 21st, 2009

February 20th, 2009

Headed to a consultation with a gallery owner in Seattle. I think I’ll take this one alnog along.

February 19th, 2009

OK, blues fans, here is another one. Fat Tuesday at Liquid.

Lori B!’s hot new band followed by the Soul Cats. . . Take Wednesday off!

February 16th, 2009

Red & White Bean Soup

Special Burger

Coffee

Cafe Vicino a Neighborhood Place

February 15th, 2009

Couple of things to know about this post:

It is printed by permission from the very sweet and talented Heidi Kraay.

It comes from a new website The Boise Picaynue (link to right)

It is posted in response to comments looking for more music info on Boisee.com

If you want more from Hiedi, I’ll see if Boisee.com can link up some more.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009

   

Just Think Local Tunes: Go Listen Boise at Record Exchange and Neurolux

Noise in the Neighborhood
Heidi Kraay for The Boise Picayune


The popular “Just Think Local” push is influencing forces beyond restaurants, bars, coffee houses and retail stores. Thanks to refreshing events like this live and local series, it is also reaching out to help recognize our artists and musicians about town. New art galleries and music festivals are opening all over Boise and many bring in exclusively local talent. Go Listen Boise was created in part by Ali and Travis Ward ofHillfolk Noir and is aimed at promoting the Boise Music Scene for it to be more “positive, supportive, collaborative and creatively rich and gratifying.” By supporting these concerts born in Idaho, we are supporting our friends and loved ones. Let’s keep Boise bred art in high demand.   

Tim Andreae

The full night on Thursday included two shows and six acts. It is a recipe that Ali Ward and other Go Listen Boise creators hope to continue in all their events: one all ages concert followed by “a more rockin’ bar room show.” Their inaugural all ages show was free and acoustic at Record Exchange. Also, it was lucky enough to have the always fresh, inventive and endearing Tim Andreae kick off the evening. Tim is the sort of musician that is increasingly more rare: one who visibly enjoys his work. Thanks to his humble enthusiasm—as well as craftsmanship—makes it a reward to see him perform. An artist’s attitude and perspective affects their craft, and that un-teachable truth works for Mr. Andreae’s benefit every time. On his guitar or in his lyrics (or on concertina while tap dancing), and will take a risk without blinking, knowing it will be overall worthwhile. If you ever get the chance to bob along to his sing-song rhythm, please notice how Tim Andreae’s music speaks to make a difference. It is wholly to his credit as a craftsman and a human being. We could use many, many more of his kind. Too many miss the point entirely. Tim gets it. You can read it on his face as clear as day.

Kris Doty

With her undeniable and irresistible charm, it is no wonder Kris is such a crowd-pleaser. Thankfully, her musicality backs Ms. Doty up right away and the humanity that bleeds out of her ever-so-warped songs—elegant yet rugged, sharp and brash but hearty and sweet—leaves everybody thirsting for a longer set. Her rich strum-pluck-pick pattern mixes with impeccable contrast to her distinct vocal pattern, one having precision comparable to a flamenco dancer’s stomps, claps and castanets. Kris Doty’s folk sound is the frosted ice sculptured formed off of a hot springs sulphurous steam on a sunny January afternoon. No wonder she is beloved in Idaho.

Travis Ward

Slipping into a backwoods-Appalachian-style-blues-folk sound, Travis Wardcompletes the acoustic half of the first Go Listen Boise concert. His enchanting mid-range vocals trap a listener like a deer crossing the path of a pick-up and its headlights, but just as he eases into a melody he simmers into a slight grating finish that stings like the last sip off a satisfying India Pale Ale. A finger-picker whose music is thick with lyrics like Grandma’s stew—and pointed at the same era, Travis sings about hard times, pine boxes, dirt roads, and barstools (don’t forget zombies, either) in a mood and pace just upbeat of Tom Brosseau.

The First Ladies

So far Go Listen Boise has been a tasty night of acoustic solos. As promised, the energy and noise picks up to a rockin’ second half atNeurolux, beginning with The First Ladies. This fun four-set on guitar, drums, bass and keys put together lively, danceable beats, progressive chords and plenty of potential.

Craters of the Moon

Bringing back some sounds from the first half, here is another drop of folk, but now high-charged and bursting with big sound and a rugged discordant edge. The three vocalists make a silken, buttery base for the jagged instrumental landscape from two guitars, a bass and drums. Craters of the Moon are Richard and Linda Thompson as a quartet.

Speedboat

Now these headliners are an absolute wild ride on an electronic extravaganza express train. Luke Hayhurst, Zach Jones and Ben Mulkey create a futuristic machinal soundscape before the Neurolux Crown, plugging synth upon pedal via synth onto KORG and through keys, all enhanced by their portable lightbox. Once setup is complete, the three musicians are better Robots than humans, driven by wacko ambient force to make a hot power surge of electricity and performance. When the Speedboat dance party strikes up, it takes hard work to stay 2 kewl 4 skewl and stay seated.

Keep your eyes out for the next Go Listen Boise music series event (and save all your buddies stuck on the couch going limp by the light of their television). Everyone come on down!

February 13th, 2009

Couldn’t resist, sorry.

The scheduled Yes performance at the Knitting Factory has been canceled.

February 13th, 2009

Took this yesterday outside the shop of Black Canyon Restoration.

Thanks Ann& Scott

Wonder what it is?

February 13th, 2009

February 12th, 2009

It’s the smile.

February 9th, 2009

What started as a couple of friends in white shrits and thin black ties has turned in to a huge Blues success story. 

John has gone from Grange Hall BBS Jams to NPR’s Mountain Stage.

Damn proud of you my friend you earned it.

Let’s all go to the Kniting Factory-March 13th to see John and hear his new stuff.

John writes. . .

February 8th, 2009

In honour of the Qtons great showing on Beale Street, here is an image from the fund raiser.

February 8th, 2009

Here is the next chapter in the IBC story from Nathan.

Hey Everyone,

       Thanks for all your emails of support.  Good to know we have people
behind us at home.

       The last night of the semi-finals was last night and I am sorry to say
that we have joined the ranks of Boise contestants that were eliminated
and aren’t going to the finals.  Out of 100 bands playing only 10 make it
to the finals so we always knew it would be a long shot but we gave it
our best and played our best 2 nights in a row.  I really believe we held
our own with all the bands in our bar and made an impact on people down
here and from around the world who laughed when we told them we were from
Boise.

  J.P. Soars and the Red Hots will be moving on to the finals from our bar.

                 www.myspace.com/jpsoars

       Awesome band but I think there was a big element of shock in the club
when this band was announced as the winner.  All the bands were for the
most part like us  It was all heavy sounding trios playing modern blues
music…..every band….  J.P. Soars made a big impression in the appearance
category by all wearing red sport coats.  He also was the only guitar
player playing a hollow body guitar  and this combination I think was
very attractive to the Judges.  He played a two string guitar that his
brother made out of a cigar box as well.  This was his bands  second
consecutive trip to this competition so I am glad they are going to the
finals.  Last year they didn’t but this year they did so good luck to him
and I guess it shows perseverance pays off.

  The QUARTERTONS were more than happy with our own performances and
received a lot of praise from the Judges, Event Coordinator, and tons
of people stopping us as we walked down the street to tell us how much
they loved our sound.  It was a great experience and we have done a lot
of networking so far.  I am sure this will get us a lot of out of town
exposure and also be a new way to bring some new bands through Boise.

       On a personal note, I have learned more from this trip than anything.  I
have learned that the QUARTERTONS was a good idea and that we are on the
right path.  However all the bands we competed against all came from
preliminaries where they had to compete against 6, 8, or dozens of bands
to even be here.  There were two in Boise.  All the bands we competed
against just play blues and their own sound where they are from and where
they tour.  Unfortunately in Boise, there is not one blues club left.
This has left the QUARTERTONS having to mix in blues with a rock and
cover set just to be able to play it and keep gigs.  Personally I don’t
think I want to do that anymore.

       I think to do anything right you have to be all in or not at all.  This
is why I want to do with the QUARTERTONS what I wanted to do from the
beginning and bring it back to being all blues and originals.  If this
means I lose every gig I have in town, I’ll play out of town but at least
I will know that I am putting all my efforts towards one thing and
bringing the music quality to where it should be.  I just hope that we
can work with anybody playing blues in town and do shows together and
help promote each other.  This is the only way we are going to get any
blues shows going in town.  So lets reach out to each other and stay in
contact. …….see what happens.

                        Anyway,  thanks for getting us down here and  we
will make the most of the networking done down
here.  Thanks to the Boise Blues Society for
getting behind us this year and for all of their
help.  And thanks to Eric Holm from the Blues
Society who is down here helping us handing out
cards and cd’s and just bein an all around good
guy!!   Oh yeah and for buyin a pretty lady
breakfast!  We are all off to watch the
finals!!!!!

Thanks for all the support and we will see you soon!

                 Nathan Jay

EDITORS NOTE : J.P. Soars and the Red Hots WON the competion.

February 7th, 2009

THANK YOU ALL-

Thanks to all the family and friends that came to the Artist Reception last night. I was humbled and blown away. What fun, even sold a piece.

Missed it! My new metal work will be up till the end of March.

February 7th, 2009

Need an old glass keyed typewriter for a photo shoot. Would like to find one cheep. Doesn’t have to work, just look OK.

Thanks

February 6th, 2009

This just in from Nathan and Quartertons. The BBS entry to the International Blues Competion!

Hey everyone,

                 Nathan Jay

www.myspace.com/quartertons