The 2010 music scene was a hit. Here was the line-up. (maybe have us some repeat offendr’s come October.)
Hillfolk Noir (Boise, ID)
Venue: Granada Theater & White House Coffee
Filtered through a half-century of folk, country and rock ‘n’ roll, and fed by family history and an affinity for acoustic mountain music, medicine show culture and Depression-era string-band blues, Hillfolk Noir’s peculiar roots gumbo is, like the carnival midway, at once inviting and foreboding. Look no further than 2008’s “Diggin’ Songs” — a concept album of toe-tapping songs about grave matters — for proof.
“If John Steinbeck had a Speakeasy, Hillfolk Noir would be the house band.”
~ John Doe, of X and The Knitters
Visit the band fan page: http://www.facebook.com/hillfolknoir/
Sons of Guns (La Grande, OR / Seattle, WA)
The Decompression Party
Venue: Mt. Emily Ale House
Sons of Guns was born in La Grande, ran away to Seattle to sew things, then returned to the Prodigal Brunches of Eastern Oregon’s table. Their new album “Oregon Slogan” will be available July 2011.
Band Website: www.sonsofgunsmusic.com
Finn Riggins (Hailey, ID)
Venue: Benchwarmer’s Bar & Grill
Finn Riggins is the result of a longtime collaboration between Cameron Bouiss, Eric Gilbert and Lisa Simpson. Having met while completing their music degrees at the University of Idaho, the trio began playing music together in 2000, an endeavor that would ultimately culminate in what is now Finn Riggins. In August of 2006, Bouiss, Gilbert and Simpson quit their jobs and moved to Sun Valley, Idaho to stitch together the outlines of Finn Riggins at “the helibase” – a secret practice spot/tour launch pad. Practices yielded shows, shows yielded tours and by the end of their first year as a group, Finn Riggins found themselves a national touring act who lived as much on the road as they did at home.
“VS WILDERNESS, THE TRIO’S FOURTH RECORD AND THIRD FOR TENDER LOVING EMPIRE, IS A COMPOSITIONALLY COMPLEX, DIRTY, EXTRA-HOOKY GEM OF AN ALBUM. ITS UNDENIABLY BRIGHT POP SENSIBILITY IS FILTERED THROUGH OFF-KILTER TIME SIGNATURES AND SURPRISING CHORD PROGRESSIONS THAT DELIGHT AND AMUSE—FINN RIGGINS WILL GET TO THE PAYOFF, BUT THEY TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED TO GET THERE.” –
Visit the band webpage: http://finnriggins.com/
Yeah Great Fine (Portland, OR)
Venue: Benchwarmer’s
Bar & Grill
Yeah Great Fine. Something we all say when we just don’t care. Perhaps a comment on the general malaise of our generation (ourselves included). Mostly, an ironically spiritless label for a band that is anything but. Yeah Great Fine was born, like many bands, of a shared practice space and newly found free time, but also of a desire to create something new and vital.
“…I think this is the type of music that a lot of musicians and bands try to get to, but are caught between sounding like they are trying too hard, or are just being to hip/apathetic and aren’t quite there. These guy, in my opinion hit the mark. A mix of prog rock, math minded balance, pop-punk edging, and true inspiration.” – Cory Burnsed (Boy Meets Music)
Visit the band webpage: http://yeahgreatfine.com/
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