REVIEW: Treefort Music Fest 2016

With the snow-capped mountains and foothills in the distance, I made the short trip from Cali last weekend to attend the fifth edition of Boise’s Treefort Music Fest. On the quest for a new adventure and exploration of a new city, the atypical lineup intrigued and drew me in as I justified the three hour flight commute up north. I gambled that I’d enjoy it because the fests off the beaten path and under the mainstream radar tend to be the best and Treefort fell into this category. There’s no stadium, no humongous park or jumbotron to make the music fan feel like an ant in a sea of thousands. With food, ale and skateforts providing fun during the day, the artists playing intimate, live music at the cozy venues around the city thrilled each night.

Sitting with the lineup poster, there were select acts I sought to interact with and/or see live so equipped with this short list, I embarked on my mission. My favorites included:

B. Dolan– A fan of Strange Famous Records with a secret soft spot for Rhode Island boys (even though there is a NY rivalry), def wanted to connect with him. Dropping his latest great project ‘Kill The Wolf’ in 2015, B’s been busy racking up miles, in the midst of his “Kill The Wolf World Tour”. Hitting the Knitting Factory Stage on Saturday night with violinist Jenavieve Varga accompanying him on a few tracks, he won over the crowd easily during his set. I chatted with him before the show about his dedicated fans, his most prized Cadet label blues and jazz records in his vinyl collection, the recent loss of ATCQ’s Phife Dawg and funny tour moments with his label married couple wife Sage Francis. Peep the full interview soon and catch him on tour now!

La Misa Negra- Spotting this band’s name and listening to ‘Misa de Medianoche’ sealed their fate on my concert schedule. Trekking after seeing Thundercat at El Korah Shrine to The Reef to catch the Oakland octet after midnight was the best decision. Whipping the crowd into a high-energy cumbia frenzy, I seriously wondered if the floor would collapse as the crowd danced, jumped and clapped into the early hours of the morning. I caught up with the group the next day to discuss the band’s formation, early diverse musical influences, randomly meeting Alice Copper and sharing stages with Arcade Fire, George Clinton and La Santa Cecilia. Listen to the full interview soon and peep them at the Bottle Rock Fest in Napa Memorial Day Weekend!

Mega Ran- A video game dabbler but a lover of dope beats and rhymes, I also penciled Mega Ran into the schedule. Playing the upstairs space in the Knitting Factory on Saturday night, he commanded the room, comedically told the story of his Capcom licensure which was the first of its kind and dropped an impressive freestyle using random objects in the audience that made the crowd go nuts. I spoke with the Phoenix based MC about Philly music roots, the impact of ATCQ, his chip-hop style, college MarioKart memories and WTF moments overseas. Check out the complete interview soon and catch him on tour with Sadistik and Ceschi in April and May!

Rabbit Wilde- A fan of foot-stomping folk pop in the vein of The Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, Washington state quartet Rabbit Wilde def made my list. Moved by their “Porcelain Frame” video I viewed on YouTube, I used the TF fest opportunity to connect with the band about funny live anecdotes involving a wayward flying drumstick hitting cellist Jillian Walker in the head, wandering toddler onstage while they were performing and exciting recent interest by American Idol in licensing one of their songs. Hear the complete interview soon and see them live in the Northwest this April!

Naked Giants- After listening to their recent single ‘Easy Eating’, I was also intent on connecting with Seattle trio and chatted with the WA band about the automatic grunge legacy/label attached to Seattle bands, musical heroes, their recent SXSW experience involving unexpected Take 5 candy bars and playing great shows under pressure. Peep the interview soon and check out their site for more tour info!

Methyl Ethyl- Fresh from their blizzard escape out of Colorado, I also connected with the traveling Australian trio about their early musical memories, growing up outside of Perth, and teen dream fests with Bjork and Limp Biscuit. Check out the interview soon and visit their site for album info!

Oddisee- Mello Music Group MC Oddisee made his way to the City of Trees for the first time and I def couldn’t miss that. Hyped to see him live after he released one of my fav albums of 2015 ‘The Good Fight’, he did cuts off this including my favs “That’s Love” and “Meant It When I Said It” and a few off his brand new ‘Alwasta’ EP dropped a few days prior. Def a highlight of the night.

Will also give an honorable mention to Aesop Rock for performing “Rings” off his upcoming solo album ‘The Impossible Kid’ for the first time on Saturday night.

Overall, the fest yielded good laughs, good food and good times! Til we meet again, Treefort.

Rabbit Wilde Photo Credit: Lindsey Bowen
La Misa Negra Photo Credit: Andrew Zhou
Methyl Ethyl Photo Credit: Mia Mala McDonald