by Your Intrepid Treefort Explorer Brian McKay

What happens when you’re so wiped out from walking and watching bands? You sleep until 2pm and then go do it again.

Day 3 of Treefort was bandopalooza supreme. A mixture of mostly smaller acts and some in snippets of a few songs before moving on to the next, made it the most bands I’ve ever watched in a day despite not getting downtown until 5.30pm.

Bear in mind, Treefort is much more than bands. There is art, food, beer, yoga, speakers, and more. Just as you will realize how you’ve missed this act or that act that you wanted to see, there are also other Forts you wish you had made it to. Walking last night, I was forced to confront the tragic reality that there aren’t three more of me to take it all in.

Well this music whore better get on with it and get ready to go hit it again.

After yet another tasty burger at The Owyhee Tavern (seriously, they are that good), the wandering began with another first stop at the Radioland stage. Oh, Rose, from Olympia, Washington was on stage. Fronted by Olivia Rose, this band was impressive and melodic. Olivia’s voice is the perfect ballad voice, even when those ballads peak into an aggressive sound that pulls you in. They play again today at 9pm at the Neurolux and are absolutely worth a stop in.

Non-drinking Brian still had to stop in at Alefort and see what is up. The new organizational structure by beer types, as opposed to brewers, is far superior. Having volunteered at Alefort in the past, all I could think was, “Wow. I probably still would have been able to move after a shift done this way.” The light crowds that have come with COVID make for a relaxing experience tasting all of the amazing microbrews from around Boise and the Northwest.

Ok, what’s up at the main stage. Ohhh jazz. Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah, from L.A., is unreal. Wow. As a jazz lover, this was beyond. He and his band take jazz and twist it into something unexpected. They take different cultures and styles and pull them seamlessly into each other. A lute, bongos, keyboard, drums, acoustic bass, and Adjuah on a wailing trumpet, is like being transported to a jazz heaven where all of the past greats would be watching him and just saying, “Wow”. The great Miles Davis would have been impressed. This isn’t jazz, it is jazz with purpose. It is jazz that speaks of oppression and redemption. Let’s get some video up on this shit for you.

Next up was a walk to el Korah for some great music. El Korah is that kind of wonderful, old venue that has great sound and a ton of acts that aren’t on the main stage but should be soon.

El Korah was the intended stop for a band I had planned on seeing, called Waltzer, but I was more than fortunate to catch Esme Patterson. Hailing from Denver, Esme is backed simply by acoustic bass and drums with her on guitar. When listening to music, feeling is all that matters. Esme will make you feel like angels could be real when you hear her singing her down tempo and emotional songs. Writing through the pandemic, she addresses loneliness frequently and all I could do is sympathize and realize how she was expressing what I and so many others had felt the last year and a half. It’s possible that everyone in that crowd kind of fell in love with Esme during her set. Closing with an acoustic set in the middle of the crowd, the rare “crowd being totally silent” was witnessed as everyone listened for the much quieter song. She captured hearts.

Waltzer was the main act I had come to see. An invite from their label, Big Hassle, had piqued my interest after watching their videos. Letting them know this really made their day. A small act out of Chicago, they are in startup mode and you’d never know it. This is an act that has massive potential ahead and should never have a room that isn’t packed. Massive is the word for them. At times, it can feel like you’re floating while listening to them. They play again today at the Hideout at 4pm. So… yes I’ll be watching them again and giving them the full review they deserve.

Blood Lemon was up next at el Korah and was excellent. Unfortunately, two songs was all that could be mustered before having to sit in the cool, retro lounge downstairs for some relief. Again, amazing vocals. It was like el Korah hit the vocal goldmine for 3 acts in a row.

Ok, time to move. Having seen a card for Gilda House in the men’s room, hey why not? Yeah, this is how you do Treefort, see something in the bathroom and think, “I should check that out.” So off we are to the all ages venue, the Shredder.

The Shredder is just a great little place with a myriad of wild decorations and old school cabinet video games. You have to love it. Teenagers now are so lucky to have great venues like the Shredder. In another testament to Treefort, an all ages venue doesn’t mean it is just the teenage crowd. All over Treefort, ages vary widely. From kid to grandparent, this festival is truly for everyone.

This deserves a video. The last song of Motrik was unreal. Walking into the Shredder and catching only the tail end, I wished I had seen the whole set. Yet another band out of Portland, they credit some of the great old German acts, like Kraftwerk, as their influences. Oh hell ya. A kid walking out said to me, “That was fucking insane!” He was right. They play tonight at 9pm at KIN and are a must see.

Gilda House was fun. Fun and notable for the integration of heavy electronic sounds and beats reminiscent of some of the coolest synth bands of the late 80’s and  90’s. Plagued by sound problems from the mixer, only two songs were watched but enjoyed. Gilda House isn’t an act that will ever be huge and her vocal talent seemed to be a little off, maybe due to trying to ignore some of the sound issues. Nevertheless, she is high energy and enjoyable.

Wow. My feet hurt so much. A long walk to Western Proper for two songs from local party band, Lounge on Fire, was as fun as can be at the point of exhaustion. Having never visited Western Proper, it looks fun in a “I will probably meet some assholes here that make a couple hundred thousand a year think they are the shit but it’d still be cool.” Replete with mini bowling lanes and a comfortable looking bar, the acoustics aren’t great, but again… could maybe be fun some night when I’m not exhausted.

Three songs from the phenomenally fun bluegrass band, High Pine Whiskey Yell, at Pengilly’s and it’s now 1.30am. These guys are local and a blast! Check them out for some hootin’ and hollarin’.

Notable this year is how quiet COVID has made downtown Boise. Even the usually packed 6th and Main wasn’t busy. Still, young, drama couples with the girlfriend screaming, “Don’t touch me”, never go away. Entertainment can be found everywhere, right?

How many acts was that?

Chorizo time and peace out.