Metaphoriacally Speaking

Workin' On Fire (Boise, ID)

Today we had the pleasure of sitting down with Boise band Workin' On Fire to discuss their new studio album "Metaphoria," which has recently been released digitally (iTunes, CD Baby, SoundCloud) and will be available on hardcopy at The Record Exchange January 31, 2012.  A lot of the buzz about this rock trio comes from the fact that they are just seniors in high school (Boise High and Timberline), but after meeting with frontman Austin Williamson and bassist Peter Maguire, it is clear that they possess the maturity as well as the talent to be heard and respected by anyone.  It was great hearing that these guys have a strong respect for the music of the past, drawing much of their inspiration from artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jim Morrison, and Slash from G n' R to name a few.  A little bit of Axle Rose can be heard in Williamson's vocals as well as a bit of the sound of the artists mentioned earlier, but the band has developed a style of their own on Metophoria, which is the band's third release.  Another admirable quality of WOF is their appreciation for the full "album," which is refreshing in a day when buying only one or two mp3s from an artist has become commonplace.  Metaphoria even has a secret song at the end to go along with a nice balance of electric and acoustic sounds.  Workin' On Fire is a talented young band that deserves your attention and support.  You can listen to the album, "Metaphoria," right here on The C.O.T via Sound Cloud.

Metaphoria by workinonfire

workinonfire.com

Workin' On Fire on Facebook

Buy Metaphoria on CD Baby

Merch is DONE!!!

After several months of promises, we have finally finished the official line of C.O.T. apparel/merch/swag or whatever you want to call it.  Everything will be available tomorrow for 25% off at The Payette Brewing Co. during THE BIG SHEBANG!  The event will run from noon to midnightish.  Live music will be going on throughout the day as well as food from Archie's Place.  Bands include The Radio Flyers, Jac Sound, Mostecelo, and Storie Grubb and The Holy Wars.  No cover charge/21 and up.  These limited edition t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and prints will be available while supplies lasts and make great Christmas gifts.  It should be one hell of a party so we hope to see you there!

VISIT THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

New Single From Night Genes

Night Genes

Cyber Me by Night Genes

Cyber Me is the first single released off of the upcoming album "Like The Blood," Night Genes' second full-length album due out January 31st.  Night Genes is the brainchild of Eric Ingersoll, a Boise-native who has been playing music for a long, long time.  Many may recognized him as the former bass player for alt-blues band Smooth Old-Fashioned High (R.I.P.).  Night Genes' infancy was spent in the Boise scene, playing a several shows with some assistance on keys, maracas, and the tambourine from The C.O.T.'s own Streeter Johnson, and Russ Lodge on drums.  Soon Ingersoll decided he needed a change of scenery and moved to San Francisco where he teamed up with another Boisean, David McFadden-Elliott (The Shitty Osmonds), as well as adding some assistance from Amy Foote.  While the depth of Ingersoll's voice might be lead one to question if he went through puberty an extra time or two, it quickly grows on you as you listen.  The man is a true writer (that's actually what he does for a living) and you can easily see it in the stories he tells.  "Cyber Me," is a song about Ingersoll's ambivalent relationship with the internet as well as loneliness.  If you are new to Night Genes then below you can check some tracks from their first release "Two Phantoms And A Holy Ghost," available on iTunes.
Night Genes by Night Genes

New Finn Riggins Jam w/ video by Jason Sievers

This is just down right awesome.  Press play, listen, then commence shimmying!

“Benchwarmers” by Finn Riggins (10+1 pt. 3, fall 2011) from Jason Sievers on Vimeo.

Song is available for download here (Do it)

Mostecelo

In preparation for The Big Shebang coming up December 23, we thought now would be a good time to introduce Boise band, Mostecelo, who will be playing a set during the event.  Mostecelo is the "darkly comic, sometimes serious, cross cultural music project of J. Rebeca Suarez."  Her album, "The Last Possible Tense," is excellent and can be heard below via her Bandcamp site where it is available for purchase for $11.  It is great to see a new female artist in the Boise scene, because to be honest, it is a bit of a sausage fest.  As mentioned before, Mostecelo will be performing next Friday evening (12/23) at The Big Shebang at Payette Brewing Co.  

"The" Josh Gross

With the recent release of his new short fiction book, "Secrets & Lies," writer/comedian/musician Josh Gross continues to make his mark on the Boise arts scene.  Along with reporting for Boise Weekly, the Portland transplant seems to dabble in a little bit of everything, so we felt the need to share. Secrets & Lies is available in Boise at Hyde Park Books, Rediscovered Books, and Bricolage.  

THEJOSHGROSS.COM

The Big Shebang!!! 12/23

The Big Shebang is a a great big party at the Payette Brewing Co. We are celebrating the launch of our new line of apparel, inspired by The City of Trees. Limited edition t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and prints will be available all day at the brewery (while supplies lasts). All of these items will be 25% off the day of the event.
In addition there will be:
-Live local music all day (Bands TBA)
-That sweet sweet craft beer created right there at Payette Brew Co.
-Archie's Place (Soups & Joes) will be parked out front all day
-Raffles
-Free Taco coupons just for showing up (while they last)

This is all going down Christmas Eve, Eve (12/23) which is your last chance to get your party on before the holiday and also pick up some great one of a kind gifts for your friends, fam, and yourself.

New Finn Riggins + Tender Loving Empire

"Parkour" is a new track from Finn Riggins that was written and recorded for their label, Tender Loving Empire's recently released compilation, Friends and Friends of Friends Vol. 4.
Finn Riggins - Parkour by Finn Riggins

tender loving empire
We also thought it would be a good idea to spread the word about Portland-based record label, Tender Loving Empire.  Lot's of great bands (including Finn Riggins of course) and also a very cool store to visit next time you are in PDX.  Below we have attached the TLE music player for your listening pleasure.

TLE Sampler by tender-loving-empire

Tender Loving Empire from Matthew Ross on Vimeo.

Upgraded Mixtape!

As if 20 tracks were not enough, The C.O.T. is happy to announce that we have added 5 new tracks to the mixtape including Hypno Safari, The Dirty Moogs, Colby Meade, The Very Most, and an exclusive track from teen rockers Workin' On Fire off of their upcoming studio release "Metaphoria." If you were cool enough to download the original version of the tape you can download the 5 new tracks separately, without having to download the whole thing again!

Download the Mixtape (Full)
Download 5 new tracks

Art Maddox, New Album!!!

Boise emcee Arthur Maddox has just released a new album called "White Rap," which he has put up on Bandcamp for FREE download.  Download, share, and bump that ish people!

Listen to it in its entirety right here!  

Trevor Powers on Face Time w/ John Norris

Support Radio Boise!

Credit Where Credit is Due...Some Love for Mr. Park

No doubt, you have seen or heard about the rapid rise to indie-rock success of Boise's Trevor Powers and his project Youth Lagoon.  With the way the internet has impacted the music biz these days, word can travel pretty fast through the over-saturated market of music blogs (The C.O.T. included).  This can be a great thing, as Youth Lagoon has shown, but through interviews and such, information can be misinterpreted and then spread around the web faster than the rumor-mill at North Jr. High.  In this case, the belief that YL's debut album was recorded in Powers' bedroom, when in fact it was recorded at Kung Pow! by local producer/engineer Jeremy Park .  Not to try and remove any of the mystique of the YL album as it was all written by Powers in his bedroom, but a lot of hard work was put in by Jeremy Park along with his good friend Powers to create such a solid album that has studio quality production while maintaining that raw bedroom sound.  In light of all of this we thought we would share a little bit about Jeremy Park and his awesome skillz.

During the recording process of "The Year of Hibernation," Park decided to keep a journal of what took place, shedding a little more light on what goes into creating an album.

Youth Lagoon - Recording Diaries Part 1

Youth Lagoon - Recording Diaries Part 2

Click the link to read a very interesting interview Park did for Beat of Travel
Beat of Travel Interview w/ Jeremy Park

The following is a sick track from Park's solo project called "Micromachine."  A more modern take on a Steve Miller Band classic.

SwingTown COVER by parkaudio

Next are some samples of projects Jeremy has been involved with from the production end.  You may recognize those vocals from My Paper Camera and Your Friend Peter Giles.  Hint, his name rhymes with Shmevor Shmowers:)

Latest tracks by parkaudio

Interested in laying down a high quality track?

Head to PARKAUDIO.NET!

Ra-Ra-Remix!

Here's a couple of hot new tracks from the City of Trees.  The first is from Arthur Maddox featuring MCMD from the Dedicated Servers.  The other is a remix of a Neon Indian song by Boise band Shades.

Where the Grass is Greener

Last week we got Youth Lagoon, this week it's the new release from Boise singer/songwriter Colby Meade.  You can listen to "Where the Grass is Greener" right here and purchase the whole 10 track album for a mere $4 on Bandcamp.

New(ish) Music Videos

Youth Lagoon - Montana (Official Video)

Shades - Ghostlike

Peeps gettin' karazy at a TEENS show

(With Trevor Powers Cameo)

Me Want Food!!!

Look What Arrived in the Mail!

Youth Lagoon

-The Year of Hibernation (Vinyl LP)-

Order at The Record Exchange

Includes a Bonus 7" with two bonus tracks

 Also includes free digital download from Fat Possum Records

Read Pitchfork's review of

The Year of Hibernation (8.4)

Uber Tuesday Preview 9/27

Uber Tuesday 9/27 @ The VaC
7pm - 11pm


Cataldo (Seattle, WA)

You, Me, & Apollo (Colorado)

A Seasonal Disguise (Boise)

Sleepy Seeds (Boise)

Sleepy Seeds “Haven’t You Seen” from Jason Sievers on Vimeo.

Uber Tuesday Preview 9/20/11

9/20 UBER TUES: Man Mantis + Dedicated Servers + Owlright + Oso Negro
@ the Visual Arts Collective

Uber Tuesday 9/13

Here's this week's Uber Tuesday Preview


THE LONESOME HEROES (austin, tx)

     CHRIS NORTH (boston, ma)

Jeff Cochrane Bandpage (BOI)

The Gunfighters (BOI)

Apparently Food Tastes Better from a Truck

Uber Tuesday Preview 8/30 @ the VaC

Uber Tuesday 8/30 (More info here)
Sons of Guns (La Grande, OR)

Hillfolk Noir (Boise)

Neo Tundra Cowboy (Boise)

Larkspur (Boise) on Facebook

Eilen Jewell Returns to the Gem State.

Former Boise High grad, Eilen Jewell, is returning home to play the Egyptian theater this Saturday (8/27, 8pm, $19).  The Boston-based Jewell, a.k.a. "The Queen of the Minor Key," was kind enough to take some time from her busy tour and do a little interview just before making her way back to the City of Trees.

The C.O.T.: What do you miss most about living in Boise?  

E.J.:  Aside from my friends and family, I miss the proximity to the mountains and wilderness the most.  I miss those mountains so much, I had to go to Burgdorf to write the material for my new album.  The homesickness gets too distracting.  

The C.O.T.: What is something you don't miss?  

E.J.:  I've got no love for the inversions in the winter.

The C.O.T.: Did you spend much time playing the Boise scene starting out?  

E.J.:  No.  Performing came later for me, when I was in college in New Mexico.

The C.O.T.: How has growing up in a city like Boise, or a state like Idaho influenced your music?  

E.J.:  I think growing up in Boise nourished in me a love of simplicity, a no-frills aesthetic.  I really love to hear the space between notes.  That sense of space is something I attribute to growing up in the wide-open, big sky American West.

The C.O.T.: Aside from the obvious population and size difference, how does the Boston music scene differ from the Boise scene?  

E.J.:  The Boston music scene is about as diverse as a music scene can be.  There are a couple of prestigious music schools there that attract people from all over the world and create a constant influx of new musicians.  I haven't attended any of them, but I hear they're pretty great and are the reason that Boston has an even stronger music scene than most cities of its size.

The C.O.T.: Do people ever ask you, "What the hell is a Kalimotxo*?"  

E.J.:  People ask me that all the time, except in Boise and the Basque Country.  When I explain to the uninitiated what a kalimotxo is they make a grossed-out face, or just look puzzled.  Hey, more for me.

The C.O.T.: Favorite place to eat in Boise?  

E.J.:  The Red Feather!

The C.O.T.: Favorite place to get a drink in Boise?  

E.J.:  That's a close tie between Bar Gernika, Bardenay, Red Feather and Bittercreek....I often have a hard time deciding where to go.

The C.O.T.: Favorite summer activity in Boise?  

E.J.:  When I was a kid I used to love to float the river on an inner tube.  Now, to be honest, just taking a walk at night is more my speed.  After the city has cooled off a bit and the stars are out, the trees and lawns are smelling so good...there's a sense of peace and well-being that's hard to find elsewhere.

The C.O.T.: Do you ever see yourself settling down back in Idaho?  

E.J.:  Absolutely!  I'm very eager to move back.  I'm just waiting for the right time.  Hopefully that time will be soon.

The C.O.T.: Is there anything else you want to add about your show at the Egyptian?  

E.J.:  This opportunity to perform at the Egyptian is a great honor for me.  I can remember going there as a kid, the paint was peeling off the walls.  It seemed like the theater was just hanging on by a thread.  I'm so proud of Boise for restoring it and supporting live music there.  I think it speaks volumes about the community.
*Kalimotxo = Red wine and Coke, a popular drink in the Basque Country

Uber Tuesday Preview 8/23

Uber Tuesday @ the VaC
VITAMINS (Denver)

Sequined Dress: A Vitamins Music Video from Matthew Zammit Shorr on Vimeo.

Microbabies (Boise) on Facebook

Fountains (Caldwell) on Facebook

Youth Lagoon and Shades @The Reef. OMFG!

So we don't really say stuff like OMG, but when two of our favorite Boise bands are teaming up to do a show, we start talking like a giddy tween.  Anywho, the show takes place this Tuesday (8/23) at 9:00p.m. at The Reef.  The $5 cover charge is well worth it to see bedroom indie rocker Trevor Power's live in the C.O.T. before his highly anticipated album drops in Sept. and he takes his musical brain-child on a big-time tour.  In addition you will get to enjoy the chilled-out sound of Shades as they harness their live performance skills.  We caught their debut performance and it was quite impressive.  It should be a damn good time.

Montana by Youth Lagoon
Ghostlike by Shades.
Youth Lagoon - Cannons (Shades remake) by Shades.

55 and up demographic is covered

Thanks to Impact Directories, we have a nice little ad in the phonebook.  Now we just need to remember how to use one.

Uber Tuesday 8/16 Preview

Here's a little preview of this weeks Uber Tuesday show at the VaC.  We definitely encourage everybody to get there to see good friend of The C.O.T., Neil Young, before he heads off to Namibia for two years.  Should be a good one.  More info here.

A preview of friday's show at the VaC - Typhoon(PDX) - Finn Riggins(BOI) - Dark Swollows (BOI)

Portland's Typhoon, coming off a performance on Letterman

Finn Riggins "A Whale, A Fish" video...very "deep"

finn riggins // Session #5B // A WHALE, A FISH from Sahale Jensen on Vimeo.

Still searching for some Dark Swallows on the interweb, but they are local and we've heard good things so get there early and check em out!

Go here for more info on the show
hope to see everybody down there, it should be solid!

Uber Tuesday - 8/9 - Radiation City, Flashlights, SHADES, Talk Math to Me

Here's a little preview of this week's Uber Tuesday show down at the Visual Arts Collective.  Portland's Radiation City and Denver's Flashlights will join Boise's own Talk Math to Me along with Shades who will be giving their first live performance.  It should prove to be a real kick in the taint.  Doors open at 7 and things should wrap up relatively early for all you suckas who have to work early the next day, so no excuses.  More info here.







Latest tracks by Shades.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUTH LAGOON!!!

Boise's own Trevor Powers a.k.a. Youth Lagoon has just signed with Fat Possum Records!  With Fat Possum, Youth Lagoon will join the ranks of bands like The Black Keys, Band of Horses, WAVVES, Tennis, T.Rex, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and YUCK just to name a few, so obviously this is a pretty big deal for YL.  It is great to see someone from the Boise music scene getting some love and hopefully this will bring a little more attention to all the good stuff going on in The City of Trees.  If you are one of the many people who have downloaded The C.O.T. Mixtape, then you know how much good local music we've got right now.  In addition, YL's album "The Year of Hibernation," which has quickly become one of the more anticipated releases of the year is set to be released on Sept. 27.  Can't wait to get our hands on that one.  So far, only three tracks have been released (all exceptional), which has been enough to get YL a butt-load of good press from pretty much every indie music blog you would want to read.  If you visit YL's Facebook page you will see wall post after wall post from fans from all around the world, begging YL to play a show in their city.  Our hope is that Youth Lagoon gets sufficient love from it's own hometown.


Montana by Youth Lagoon

Video for "July" done by Boise filmmaker Jason Sievers

Introducing Über Tuesdays!

Uber Tuesdays is a new concert series that will be going down at the Visual Arts Collective appropriately on every Tuesday.  The idea behind Uber Tuesdays is to provide the Boise music scene with a consistent helping of live music, providing a chance for touring bands to squeeze Boise into their schedules.  This will also provide a place for members of the up-and-coming Boise music scene to showcase their skillz on a regular basis.  The series is presented by music blog Audio Milk and Radio Boise program Antler Crafts.  Payette Brewing Co. will be there pouring $2 microbrews... I repeat $2 microbrews.  Food will also be available from Pie Hole and Archie's Place.  It's gonna be uber cool and we hope to see you there!


This will also be the official release party of The C.O.T. Mixtape Volume I.  Those in attendance will have a chance to win a free download.
Here's a preview of what you will be seeing/hearing:



You can listen to and download Art Fads album "Vatos" here
Hypno Safari on Facebook

Payette Brewing Co. needs to make this a reality.

The C.O.T. Mixtape Vol. I - Digital download available 6/28/11

20 tracks celebrating the Boise music scene, including Finn Riggins, TEENS, Atomic Mama, Youth Lagoon, Owlright, Night Genes, Steve Meyers, Neil C. Young, Mozam Beaks, Shades, Arthur Maddox, Uintahs, Dedicated Servers, Hillfolk Noir, Art Fad, Brother Dan, William William, and more!


50% of proceeds will be donated to 
The Boise Bicycle Project.