Gordie Tamayo, Editor/Writer—Gordie is idea juggernaut and digital media savant, who combines his passion for technology, music, and entrepreneurism across industries. He has an incredible aptitude for communication, and creating simplified solutions to challenges that businesses encounter. www.GordieTamayo.com
Ed Simon, Editor/Writer—-Ed loves food and food cultures. Whether he’s looking for the best ceviche in Colombia, the best poke in Hawaii, the best pho in Saigon, the best tequila in Jalisco or the best Taiwanese Beef Roll in Los Angeles, it’s all good food! He also loves a good drink. He’s had Mai Tais in Hawaii, Bourbon in Kentucky, Tequila in Mexico and Rum in Jamaica. His wine escapades have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, the Willamette Valley and Idaho’s Sunnyslope wine Trail. And he’s had beer all over the world! Music is another of Ed’s passions, writing and interviewing many classic rock, rock and blues musicians. Getting the great stories of road experiences from them is a particular delight. Traveling also fits in with Ed’s writing, exploring all over to find the most interesting places to visit, even in out of the way areas. Ed lives in Meridian and is searching for the best finger steaks in town.
Elise Thompson, Editor/Writer—Born and raised in the great city of Los Angeles, this food, culture and music-loving punk rock angeleno wants to turn you on to all that is funky, delicious and weird in the city. While Elise holds down the fort, her adventurous alter ego Kiki Maraschino is known to roam the country in search of catfish.
Karin E. Baker, Writer—Karin E. Baker is a native Angeleno who loves the eateries, history, nature, architecture, and art of her hometown. When not exploring poke shacks in Kona, tascas in Córdoba, and konditoris in Malmö, she writes about food, culture, lifestyle and travel. She obsesses over comma usage and classic films and is always happy to find an excuse to open a bottle of champagne.
Cristen Iris, Writer—Cristen Iris is a third-generation military kid and child of the world. She’s lived in and traveled around much of Europe and the U.S. and has wandered as far eastern China. She now lives in Boise, Idaho and when not reading, writing, or editing books is probably hiking, biking, or camping in the wilds and not-so-wilds of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Cristen lives in 274 square feet and is passionate about sustainable and compassionate living. She has a degree in anthropology, and if you ever want to talk about culture, science, or spiders, Cristen is all in.
Megan Tribley, Writer—Megan spent her awkward teenage years in the Northwest where she grew to love playing outside and appreciating a good meal and drink. She moved to Boise after college and hasn’t looked back since. You can always find Megan at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, out on the trails, an art show or getting a brew at one of Boise’s many breweries or cider houses.
Simone Snaith, Writer—Simone Snaith writes young adult and fantasy novels, and sings in the band Turning Violet. A fan of scifi, fantasy, the supernatural and most things from the ’80s, she enjoys reviewing music, books and movies. You can read about her own books at simonesnaith.com.
Paul Gaita, Writer—Paul Gaita lives in Sherman Oaks, California with his lovely wife and daughter. He has written for The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Variety and The Fix, among many other publications, and was a home video reviewer for Amazon.com from 1998 to 2014. He has interviewed countless entertainment figures from both the A and Z lists, but his favorites remain Elmore Leonard, Ray Bradbury and George Newall, who created both Schoolhouse Rock and the Hai Karate aftershave commercials. He once shared a Thanksgiving dinner with celebrity astrologer Joyce Jillson, and regrettably, still owes the late character actor Charles Napier a dollar.
Sterling Bingham, Photographer/Writer—Sterling Bingham has worn some different hats in the Motion Picture and Television Industry. Among those he worked as stuntman, writer, producer/ director and set artist. A favorite important one during his career is his love of the camera whether it is on the set or taking a walk in nature which he does often now that he has relocated to Southern Idaho.
Terry Welch, Photographer/Writer—Terry is the man-about-town, always finding interesting things in and around Boise. His photographic work can be seen at his website, TerryWelch.Photography.
Michelle Puccinelli, Writer—Michelle Puccinelli is a long time Boise resident, specializing in eating copious amounts of bread, over decorating for the holidays and finding missing socks. She’s been a teacher, a content writer and most recently, the Yelp Boise Community Ambassador.
Bob Lee, Writer—Bob Lee started interviewing bands while working in college radio and later contributed to various publications including early issues of Ben is Dead. As a drummer and singer, he has toured and recorded with bands such as Claw Hammer, Jon Wahl & The Amadans, Mike Watt and the Black Gang, Backbiter, Crawlspace, Hot Damn and Fearless Leader. He is the quiet, sneaky one of the band. When writing, Bob’s credo is, “All we have is the truth.”
Jason Lee Morrison—I’ve seen a great deal of pain in this world……and I’ve felt some too. I was born in Kellogg, Idaho, but have lived most of my life in underdeveloped countries… and not in swanky resorts on the beach, but among the people scraping their way through life in the jungle, the desert, dilapidated cities, or within the vicious shambles of earth wrought by war. I’ve been a business professional in the high-rises of New York City and soaked in the opulence of Dubai. I’ve beheld and felt and tasted the full spectrum of humanity on this earth. I have borne witness to it all. And am thereby compelled to instigate within people’s minds the conflict of discovery, through reason, the authentic veracity of what they really are and unearth the neglected wonder that is a human being… each one uniquely, elegantly, and fiercely exceptional, by transforming how we understand each ourselves and others within this mesmerizingly, magnificently, complex organism called humanity. Chris Banyas, Writer—Chris is a Pocatello native, music junkie, and record addict currently amassing a collection of rejection slips on his way to a career as an author. He earned a B.A. in English from Idaho State University, focusing on Technical Communication, and currently works at Simplot as a Regulatory Technical Writer. Chris has a passion for all music, especially the discovery of unknown bands, and loves to purchase used LPs based solely on cover art alone. He listens to everything, with the extreme metal genres and punk being his bread and butter, and fills the time in between work, sleep, and records with board games.
Patti Jo Roth-Edwards—A lifetime in the Music Business as a working professional Performer, Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist and Producer has brought Patti Jo Roth-Edwards here to settle in Idaho. Consistently at the Top of the Charts on Number One Music, with over 100 songs playing globally over internet radio, Patti Jo’s songs enjoy millions of plays. As a Judge for the Northern California Songwriters’ Association and the California Country Music Association, her knowledge and understanding of music and performance is respected and well-established. Many of her songs are available for download on iTunes and Amazon. In addition to her 5 albums, she has 104 singles available through CDBaby.com. Patti Jo’s Facebook Page has info and more about her, while her Number One Music Page has lots of original songs and more.
Ivor Levene—Ivor Levene is a writer/photographer with a definite love of music, music history, and architecture. Combining his love of live music and photography was the perfect marriage. His past work is a who’s who of classic rock and can be seen at www.ilevene.com Living in Toronto, NY and finally L.A., Ivor is an avid sailor, bassist, and burgeoning writer. He can be found playing in any number of blues clubs in L.A.
