
Landonious Monk, Landon, Lando, or Landog is a Boise local rocking stages all over the valley within several projects. He is savvy with just about any instrument he picks up, teaches guitar lessons out of Dorsey Music, and somehow balances his solo acts amongst 800 other projects. His stage name, Landonious Monk, is based off of the eccentric jazz piano player, Thelonious Monk.
He grew up in Salt Lake City but found home in Boise in the early 2000s. His earliest memories of music were with his dad, who introduced him to various styles. He recalled The Doors and Billy Joel specifically as being prominent during these formative years. He would become mesmerized by watching the hammers of the piano keys as his dad played. He started playing piano as his first instrument, but it didn’t quite stick after sloughing off practices with his sister. When he was 12, he saved all his money from birthdays to buy an acoustic guitar. He saw a Pearl Jam live performance on TV that inspired him to keep practicing and improving. His now brother-in-law was a huge influence on him musically after he sold him his first guitar. He became an enthusiastic teacher that Landon admired.
Landon played in a duo act with Nick G for several years part-time before moving to Boise. Landon then joined a band called The Rockafellas with his dad and several other experienced musicians. He attributes this span of time as a period of immense musical growth and learning. While music was always a part of his life in adolescence and into adulthood, he was always told to be realistic about it being a career. He had a daughter to care for by this time and sought out “real” jobs outside of his musical love. He worked in IT for 10 years before finally calling it quits to pursue music full time. Three years ago, he had a real moment of clarity and decided he was only going to do what he loves, all the time: music.
The first year and a half was building the pipeline and learning several songs for various bands. He started getting the word out that he was teaching guitar and building a student base. He started working at Dorsey Music a few days a week, where he also hosts his guitar lessons. Now, it is constant, averaging 7 gigs a week between guitar lessons, guitar repair, and hosting the open mic at Westy’s on Tuesday nights. No days off for the love of the game! When I asked how he manages to keep it all organized, Landon explained his old-school method of a “big giant calendar.”

Landon takes part in several projects in the valley. He performs solo as Landonious Monk with a looper and the occasional weird instrument or two. He plays in Matty J and the Grays, a Ween tribute band called Boognish Rising, Lauren and the Nostalgics, Jupiter Holiday, Thomas Paul and Friends, and a duet called Those Nice Boys that plays in local retirement homes. He’s quick to agree to a last-minute fill-in for bands in need and is always looking for opportunities that interest him musically. He wakes up every morning to the strict routine of playing music from 6:30 to 8:30 before diving into his fully scheduled days.
Landon has an impressive 15 solo albums out. Last Week, the 15th installment to his discography was released just a few weeks ago. He likes to think of each album as a musical journal of his life.

When I asked what advice he would give to anyone looking to pursue music, he said, “Be authentic—there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like what you’re doing. Be yourself and you’ll find the people who want to find you.”
I’ve known Landon from my nervous open mic nights, guitar lessons, watching him at various venues, to this interview, and selling me all my sound equipment to launch my own music journey. He is so supportive of the music community in the Treasure Valley and someone you want in your corner!
Follow Landon on Facebook and Instagram and message him to improve your guitar skills! Check out his full discography on Spotify or Apple Music.
Subscribe to Treasure Valley Notes to stay up-to-date on all of Landonious’ upcoming shows.
Interested in being featured in a “Deep Dive”? Contact us HERE!