Stef and The Groove, performed their eclectic mix of Rock, R&B, Funk, Pop, Country, Contemporary Blues and more, at Tuesdays on the Creek at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. They did music from The Doobie Bros, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, The Temptations, Elton John, Kiki Dee, Steve Winwood, Heart, The Commodores and this one by Labelle from the mid 70’s.
Helen Smith, a Treasure Valley musician, played an evening of interesting covers at Voodoo Brewing Friday evening. We heard music done by The Drifters, Darius Rucker, Gordon Lightfoot, Van Morrison, Rolling Stones, Mazzy Star, Tracy Chapman, Sting, and this from Jimmy Buffett.
Curtis Laib, who says his music leans to the redneck side, played Sunday afternoon at Indian Creek Winery. Curtis lives near Glenns Ferry and makes his way to the Treasure Valley occasionally. He played an interesting set of covers from sources like Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Prince, Three Dog Night, and Jim Croce, plus this original about divorce.
Musician Kyle is a Treasure Valley singer/songwriter and also plays bass in the Dave Nudo Band. Kyle brought both his keyboard and guitar to the Getaway Bar in Nampa Friday evening. He played mostly 70s and 80s pop music, and this original.
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.
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Red Light Challenge, the power-pop duo of Sean and Kyle Luster, played at Indian Creek Plaza Wednesday evening. These guys are Hawaii born and raised. They came here to attend Boise State and never left. Smart boys. They played a great selection of covers and originals, including this one about ex-girlfriends.
Sarah Simpson is a Treasure Valley Singer songwriter. She also manages the “Deep Dive” section at the “Treasure Valley Notes” website, writing in-depth articles about musicians and venues. Thursday evening, she played a few hours of covers and originals on the patio at The Reef in downtown Boise. Check out “When You Come Around” about returning home.
Audio Moonshine. a Boise-based rock band, was the opener last Tuesday for Jerry McComb at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. If you’re not familiar with “Tuesdays on the Creek”, it’s a 20-week event series that includes live music from both local and touring artists, Tuesdays from 6-9pm. See you there tomorrow!
Synergy, with Mary Knea on vocals, husband Rick Knea on bass, and friend G. Louis Hemenway on keys. played jazzed-up retro music at Swirl Wine Shop & Lounge Wednesday evening. We heard classics from Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Ingrid Michaelson, Billy Joel, James Taylor, and more. If you like what you hear, catch them tomorrow night (7/26) on the patio at Rembrandts in Eagle.
Emma Hansen is a Treasure Valley singer/songwriter who comes to us from Lewiston. She did her engaging girl-and-her-guitar music Friday evening at The Getaway Bar & Grill in Nampa. We heard covers from John Denver, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Cranberries and more, and this original called “Growing Pains”.
