The evolution of Boot Juice has been a magnificent phenomenon to behold over the past few years. This seven-piece band from Davis has done things the old-fashioned way – earning everything they have with blood, sweat and tears shed on stages throughout the region. It’s been more sweat than anything else based on the practically inhuman volume of energy output they generate throughout the course of their relentless performances.
Boot Juice defies the typical assumption that a big band with horns is sticking to the well-worn path of funk and jazz. They certainly infuse those genres into the mix. More than anything though, this is an unabashed cosmic rock band intent on taking audiences into an alternate dimension of pure freedom and dance euphoria where the outside world ceases to exist. Their three-part vocal harmonies carry major impact with intoxicating doses of soul, blues and sultry appeal. The passionate musicianship and group synergy resonates in their pure sense of joy. Drawing favorable comparisons to the sound of The California Honey Drops and the spirit of the Talking Heads, you’ll have no doubt that the refreshing originality of Boot Juice always has a firm grip on the wheel.
Hillfolk Noir
Built on more than 15 years of tradition, today’s Hillfolk takes their acoustic guitar, double bass, and “anything you can find at a hardware store” sound and integrates driving drums and an electrified sound, kicking down limitations to create a vibe that goes beyond their Americana “junkerdash” roots. Want to call it bluegrass’s trouble-making cousin? Fine by us. A bit of string-band blues? Sure ‘nuff. A concoction of electrified rockin’ soulful folksy witchcraft mayhem? Now you’re talking, mama. The indelible through-line is rooted in the band’s song craftsmanship. From mountains of frontman Travis Ward’s ragged, spiral-bound notebooks comes the hard and tender. They can blow the roof off the place or draw you around the fire with their earnest musical narratives of the back alleys, the open range, and the front porch. They paint with sound the earnest stories about the lives of lovers, law-breakers, and the lion-hearted. Heroes and outcasts alike. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, the always young-at-heart Hillfolk Noir has been carving their own musical path for 15 years. Grab a cup of juice and ease on down to enjoy these newfound Hillfolk vibes. “If John Steinbeck owned a speakeasy,” said John Doe (X, the Knitters), “Hillfolk Noir would be the house band.”
Sheep Bridge Jumpers
The Sheep Bridge Jumpers are a Americana folk band born on the banks of the Big Wood River in Ketchum Idaho. Their story telling style of music and multiple harmonies will make you want to sing along, grab the hand of the person next to you and move your feet.
