Treefort Day Three: A love letter to Boise and Treefort, and maybe a mild case of imposter syndrome

About four or five Treeforts ago, I rode a Greyhound bus from SLC to attend my first-ever Treefort Music Festival. I immediately fell in love with the Boise community, and that first magical fort experience influenced my decision to move up here later that summer. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay if I didn’t find a band to join, and about three days later I met two amazing people whom I loved making music with. We later became known as Papas (@papas.fryrock), found our missing fourth member a couple of years later, and became a band that I am very happy and proud to be a part of.

Papas, photo by Kristin Wildly

Papas, photo by Kristin Wildly

We had the honor of playing Friday night at the Hound Lot with some really amazing acts. It felt like a very full circle moment, I feel very happy, and I am still totally in love with the Boise community. You guys totally rock. I knew that I would be somewhat ‘stuck’ at the venue before our set. Which was great because I am totally exhausted, and there were some killer acts all night.

Scrunchies, photo by Ali O’malley

I was worried that I was going to miss Minneapolis-based punk rockers, Scrunchies (@ssscrunchiesss) grace the Neurolux with their edgy and poignant take on punk. I fell in love with their sound and their joyous, DIY, rocking ethos while listening to their 2022 album Feral Coast. They were gracious enough to meet at the Neurolux before their set and share some quick words with B-Side.

In general, I found that Scrunchies are three people whose off-stage personalities juxtapose the punchy punk attitudes that their music conveys. In reality, they are charming and kind and clearly love being performers. They have the right kind of group dynamics and ideologies that I love seeing in bands. This three-piece consists of Laura (vox/guitar), Danielle (vox/drums), and Jeremy (bass), and they manage to create a sound that any larger hardcore act could ever hope to achieve. They embrace the over-arching Treefort spirit, have killer taste in music, and I can’t stress enough that you should check them out. They will be on Radio Boise Saturday at 7:15 pm and play at the Hound Lot on Sunday at 5:30. When I asked them what they love about making music, Danielle perfectly stated something we should all be able to relate to, “It just feels good to make people feel good.” Well, Scrunchies, you make me feel really damn good.

Though it was nearly time for me to go load in my own gear, I was happy to see that one of my favorite local acts was about to start their set. Wet Pet (@wetpetband) is a melodic, indie/rock band that is very skillful and intentional in their music. I am so impressed by this group. Wet Pet feels relatively new to the scene but sounds like they have been making music together for decades. I couldn’t stay for long, but I am awed by this group each time I see them. When I left they were playing my favorite cover (Pavement) that I am yet to hear this Treefort. Well done, you lovely, lovely humans.

After finally getting over to the Hound Lot with my gear, I was excited to be in one place for the night. There were two fantastic acts that I got to see almost immediately. In the Hound Garage, I was pleasantly surprised to see the familiar faces of artists that I already loved. Lê Almeida (@lealmeid_tnr) is an incredibly talented Brazilian vocalist and guitarist whose band Oruã has become near and dear to my heart.

Lê Almeida of Oruã, photo by Kristin Wildly

He had a fantastic blend of musicians join the stage, creating an ambient, low-fi groove that had the crowd enchanted. I am really impressed at the rawness and artistry of Lê Almeida, and his comprehension of music and craft is something that is guaranteed to please any lover of good music, and probably most people with ears.

Oruã, photo by Kristin Wildly

On the Hound Lot mainstage was the French band YOU SAID STRANGE (@yousaidstrange). A group that immediately made me wonder if everything actually could sound better in French. This four-piece delivered a master class on how to make beautiful indie-psychedelia music.

You Said Strange, photo by Kristin Wildly

You Said Strange, photo by Kristin Wildly

Their sound was super clean and harmonic, at times treading the heady and heavy side that I love so dearly. I had heard a few of their tracks on Radio Boise, and their recordings are incredibly well-done. I was excited to see that this is not just an impressive studio band, but that it translated and even transcended during their live performances. They are playing Saturday night at the Neurolux at 6:40 pm, I highly recommend checking them out they are going to sound killer in a club environment. These guys are amazing.

My pre-show nerves were certainly amassing at this point, but I was also very excited to see Denver heavy-hitters American Culture (@americancultureofficial) a band who recently came through town and blew me away with their poetic take on rock and roll. These guys exude an energy that reads to me as ‘musicians made for other musicians’ but could and should appeal to a larger and more diverse audience. They are so badass, humble, and just crazy talented. It is clearly rock and roll, but it feels like its own genre of folk music designed for people standing on the edge of society. Though they are new to me, they make me feel nostalgic in the best way possible. I am incredibly grateful to have shared the stage with them. Watching them reminds me of why I love making music.

American Culture, photo by Kristin Wildly

I would like to use this platform to thank whoever made the scheduling error of putting Papas among such legends. As we got going, I was so thrilled to see familiar faces and many new smiles in the crowd. The energy of the room was fantastic, and the staff/volunteers/security were truly gracious. Considering I really wanted to be in a band to get a Treefort pass, I do hope that we earned our keep. So, thank you Boise, and thank you Treefort. I usually blank out a little bit when I perform, which was certainly to my benefit during this set.

If I had overthought that the legendary Spoon Benders (@spoonbenders) were just moments away from playing on the same stage I probably would’ve imploded. This band displays everything that I love about Treefort. As usual, they were doomy, shreddy, and incredibly dialed in. If I asked an AI to create a band based on everything I love, it would create Spoon Benders. They are the personification of rock. If you haven’t heard of them, I just don’t think we can be friends anymore. This is another band whose studio-to-live transition is incredibly remarkable; I love their album Dura Mater and their 2022 release “Rm. 157”. So, do yourself a favor… stop reading this and go check out their music.

With the weekend coming up, I can only imagine things are going to get crazier. Please be safe, be kind, and have tons of fun. Happy Treefort, Boise!