New Finn Riggins

Record Store Day was a huge success yesterday as I traversed to 6 different locations for as many goodies I could get my hands on. One of my favorite records that I picked up was the Finn Riggins latest EP Benchwarmers. Finn Riggins is one of my favorite indie bands out there right now and this new release shows how this Boise, Idaho threesome is by far one of the must see acts in the Northwest. The EP starts out with the title track "Benchwarmers," a groovy rock song that invites everyone to "Shimy to the left, shimy to left, shimy to right." It is probably my favorite song off the 10" EP along with "Parkour." You can purchase the Benchwarmers EP here and stream below.



Another great band that is coming out with a new album early next month is Beach House with Bloom. I picked up their latest 7" that has "Lazuli," which will be on the album, and "Equal Mind," which won't be on the album. After having "Lazuli" on repeat all weekend I can say that I'm so excited to hear the new LP from Beach House. It's dream pop at it's finest. Cool drum machines, a really awesome catchy melody, and my favorite thing, an implied dissonance synth line. Listen to it below and become instantly hooked.

Treefort Music Fest Day 1 of 4

This week sees the beginning of the inaugural Treefort Music Festival. The first day was full of transcending bands. We rolled into Boise, Idaho around 5 pm local time, just enough time to see the opening band Finn Riggins. It was a packed show that rocked so hard, I wasn't sure if I would make through the rest of the day.

Next up was Dustin Wong, the incredible one man guitar symphony. Some of the best pedal looping I have witnessed in my years of concert going.

We decided to take in the food culture of Boise after Dustin Wong. Turns out there's a sushi restaurant called Shige that has one dollar sushi plates for happy hour, and I must say that it was some of the best sushi I have had.
After dinner we then went back to the Neurolux to watch the most anticipated show (in my opinion), Delicate Steve. The show was everything that could be expected and more. Delicate Steve created another dimension in which I was very lucky to be a part of.

Mr. Gnome was at the Red Room after Delicate Steve. It was a packed show, almost didn't get in on time. Though Delicate Steve took most of my energy, Mr. Gnome was able to find more and extort it from my body. The outpour of pure rock from this two piece reminded me slightly of the Black Keys.

Treefort Music Festival

To whoever says that Boise, Idaho doesn't know how to party will be proven wrong with the inaugural Treefort Music Fest happening at the end of March. This is one of the most stacked lineups of unknown independent bands I have seen! The headliners for the music fest are Built To Spill, Why?, and Of Montreal. With supporting bands such as Blitzen Trapper, Delicate Steve, Typhoon, and Finn Riggins, and a 4-day pass costing only 79 dollars there's really no excuse not to see this festival. Below are some excellent examples of why everyone should come to Treefort.
Desert Noises have a great sound that reminds me of a certain band named Fleet Foxes. Really catchy drums and groovin' bass lines makes it more uptempo, yet still sounds like a crisp sunny morning. Make sure you check out their album Mountain Sea on the bandcamp site. Also check out the awesome single "Oak Tree" below.

Next band I want to share is Red Hands Black Feet, an instrumental band that have heavy influence from Modest Mouse, Russian Circles, and Minus The Bear. They build up each track so well to a sometimes overwhelming climax, your not sure what just happened until after the fact. Check out their stuff here.


Last one for tonight is Shades. Their debut album Clear Motions just dropped last month, and I assure you it is a must listen. They have a great electro-pop chill wave sound going on. Great beats and cool vocals fill this album so go and check it out on their soundcloud page here.

Tender Loving Empire

One of the best record labels based in Portland, Oregon is Tender Loving Empire. Some of the greatest Northwest indie bands are on this label. Something about all the bands is that feeling of classic American nostalgia. Almost like folk music, but you can hardly say that about Finn Riggins. They are more of a prog-rock trio with some steel drums in a couple of their tracks. Though they haven't come out with a full length album in two years, they just released a single "Some Are Knightz."
Now Jared Mees & The Grown Children are one of my new favorite bands. They just released their third album on the label called Only Good Thoughts Can Stay, which is a very appropriate title for this album. Another thing about all the bands from Tender Loving Empire is that they put on great live shows, and it seems like they are always putting on shows all over the Northwest.
Other great bands include; Typhoon, Boy Eats Drum Machine, Y La Bamba, Loch Lomond, Radiation City, and more!
You can also stream full albums from some of these bands for free here.