The entire downtown was feeling good vibes as Treefort lived up to its promise. There is so much talent, with so much originality it is hard to describe. I will try.
Last evening around 5pm I walked into the El Korah Shrine to hear and see Angel Abaya perform a set of her music. I was immediately struck by how well the room sounded. Angel has moved to LA recently. That is always a good move if you want to “make it”. While Boise has always had some talent that competes with the best musical artists in America. It has not had the professional support system that an artist finds in larger cities. Angel has the courage to leave her comfort zone of Idaho. We wish her all the success the music business can. Angel puts her self-front and center of the band. She is the lead singer and her band backs her up with a fun edge on pop rock. Angel played a couple of songs that with that professional support could be “pop rock” hits. Follow her on Spotify or Twitter and watch her career take off from Boise and land on the national scene.
After Angel Abaya’s set I felt satisfied and walked to the main stage where I was able to hear a couple of songs from Guided By Voices. Before I could even make it close enough to the stage to see them I was bouncing to the rhythm of a powerful guitar. That song ended and another started and I wanted to keep the feel I was getting from the band. Filled with energy from their show, I walked downtown. There were people of every age everywhere. Boise now felt a whole lot like a big city. Treefort creates so much energy in Boise all the lovely people were smiling and they could feel the energy in the air.
After eating good curry chicken from a food truck by the main stage, I tasted a few dark beers at Barbarian Downtown Beer Bar at 1022 W Main St. however, I settled on a half pour of Canadian Lager. I people watched from their porch as a street preacher told of heaven and hell on the corner of 11th and Main. I was interested in how the people reacted to his words. One gentleman sitting next to me called it “Prayerfort”. LOL I enjoyed my walk toward to 6th and main. However, I could not walk past the closed “Bouquet” without many good memories of music and artists whose ships have sadly sailed. Boise has grown in every way and has left that historic and legendary bar in its wake.
I arrived at Hannah’s at around 7pm to hear Boise’s home grown band Parade of Bad Guys. They play a distinct type of original music that is a hybrid of rock and country. I believe that the power of the band was clearly the metal drumming style with this bands groovy unique sound. Lead singer and guitar player Ben delivered strong vocals as big as he is. Ben was powerful and commanded the stage as seasoned pros can. I am wanting to hear these guys again. Watch for a “Parade of Bad Guys” show and bring your dance shoes. They are on all social media platforms and they can easily be heard on Spotify. They are fun!
Immediately after they finished an hour of this new sound Darcy Carlson took the stage. And wow she can own a stage! She is a strong performer and lit up Hannah’s with her smile and energy on stage. Darcy led the band with her voice performance and acoustic rhythm guitar. Rocking next to her was Jeff Crosby on lead guitar! What a nice surprise to hear. Jeff Crosby knocked this “rock’n” role out of the park. (pun intended) Jeff showed off his lead licks and looked like he was having a ball. The audience sure was. Hannah’s began to get nearly full of “Treeforters”.
By the end of Darcy’s show Hannah’s was nearly full. A large crowd began to form in front of the stage anticipating Tylor and The Train Robbers one of the night’s headliners. They would have to step up their game after the notable acts playing before them. They did! Tylor is the center of the stage and has a stage presence of intelligence and confidence. Tylor’s skill as a lyricist and song writer showed in every song that they played. He sings just like he looks, authentically! The band of brothers and pa-in-law hold down the music while Tylor sings and tells his stories into the audience’s ears and hearts. I do not like comparisons, they don’t do either artist any real justice. Tylor, however can write a story thru song similar to America’s best song writers and story tellers. If you think that is too high of praise for Tylor, listen closely. A song about betting teases with its title that it will be about losing or losing. And it is, however not money. It is a very deep take on betting. With something much more valuable than money. He gets you to understand that you are always betting on yourself and in a relationship betting on your partner also. It is life with you at risk of losing… follow him, listen to him on all the social platforms but I like Spotify for the quality it can deliver.
Their performance was so inspiring and insightful that anyone would be ok with the evening coming to a close. However, Jeff Crosby with his band are up next. Everyone stayed right where they were. Jeff is the lead singer and songwriter in his band. He looks like the traditional rock star, however Jeff is not typical or traditional. His music makes that very clear. Jeff is a born leader and on stage he shows off that talent also. A very good guitar player, Jeff can take the band anywhere musically he wants to. He surrounds himself with excellent players and they all delivered a top performance. Jeff’s song “Idaho” puts you in middle Idaho and it is comfortable! Jeff’s story is so well written that it is believable Jeff’s life (and yours) are in this song. “Oh Love, Oh Lord” is the most listened to song on Spotify. Followed by “Best $25 I ever spent” then “Laramie”. But don’t stop listening there! All his albums contain gems.
Hannah’s did not disappoint by delivering all Thursday’s bands with high definition sound. Lenny (formally Weird Al Yankovic’s sound man) made all the band’s sound great. The final act on the richly talented night Sara Shook & the Disarmers held this foreign crowd late, late into the night. She is from North Carolina and from her perspective delivers slightly sarcastic lyrics and music that can get in your face and challenge your beliefs. Which is exactly what she wants to do. No one left without feeling good Thursday, March 24th @Treefort2022
