On September 12th and 13th, the Old Idaho Penitentiary will host their annual event showcasing 13 Stories, a film competition based on the lives of various prisoners over the course of the prison’s history. The event is open to the public with paid admission and will take place on both nights from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Guests can explore the grounds of the Old Idaho Penitentiary before screenings begin and purchase concessions.

We, at Treasure Valley Notes, are a wee bit biased on our favorite film in the mix. Our photographer, Rick Walters, has been hard at work writing and directing the film and pulling connections together to make it possible. His vision for the story of “Scoop,” Darrel Thurston, has taken on a creative life of its own after recruiting several Treasure Valley musicians to take part in the making of the film. Over the summer, the rambunctious bunch has managed to create melodies, lyrics, and scenes to portray the life of Darrel Thurston (with a few fictional embellishments). Members of Scotty Mac & the Nugs, 2 Shades of Gray, and Dozey Dubs are just a few local faces you may recognize throughout the film. Every song you hear and every face you see is directly correlated to the Treasure Valley music scene. There have also been countless volunteers from the community who have been involved in donating their time, space, vehicles, skills, and equipment. Rick attributes his success in gathering so many talented, accommodating individuals to making connections at open mics in the valley throughout the past year of living in Boise.

“The Boise open mic phenomenon (I call it that because that’s what it is, a phenomenon) is full of incredibly talented people, and all of them put in the effort and the time, practicing their work, meeting people, and putting themselves out there. It’s all very much a scene. I’ve only been in Boise for a year, but I knew early on that every one of us wanted to do something cool. So it was not a far stretch for all of my friends to say yes and jump on to do something really cool. After having lived on both coasts and in all of the major metropolises, I have to say that Boise’s open mic scene is the fastest moving, most creatively collaborative place I’ve ever been.

I think the outcome [of the movie] is really badass. It’s a 7-minute original musical from start to finish, all composed of local musicians. It’s the community that has evolved from it and the actionable relationships that have already become strong bonds that make it special.”

The storyline weaves through flashes of past and present as Darrell Thurston (played by Scotty Mac of Scotty Mac & the Nugs) settles into his sentencing at the Idaho Penitentiary. There are beautiful displays of lost love, hoots and hollers after bank robberies, harsh realizations of solitary confinement, and finding purpose in sport.

Local musician Dylan Olson (of Dozey Dubs or his solo project, Lover) has worked closely with Rick to score the film.

“I have always wanted to score a film, but this experience has reframed that experience in a new light for me. Instead of me interpreting a film and transcribing it musically, it has instead been a collaborative adventure with my peers whom I respect and trust. There has been no power struggle, and egos have been left at the door. Rather than a selfish proclamation, this film has felt like a group of archaeologists unearthing some ancient relic that they all suspected existed but didn’t fully believe could be real.”

Local violinist legend and singer/songwriter Alyssa Joy Claffey has been a huge asset to the project as well. “When I create violin parts for other people’s visions in the recording studio, I imagine myself as a paintbrush, waiting to be plucked up by the hands of a master and utilized to the utmost of my ability. Rick’s professionalism, preparedness, and ability to clearly articulate his vision, while instilling confidence and trust through his innate understanding of the dichotomy of steadfast support and space artists need to reach new heights, created the perfect conditions for artistic collaboration. Working with a composer of Dylan’s caliber opened doors in my brain that don’t normally get tapped into, and the synergy between our musical minds made movie music magic. It gave me chills, and it will give the audience chills too.”

Guests can expect a fun night in celebrating hard work and creative collaboration. Our Treasure Valley Notes crew will be present along with the cast and crew of “Scoop” to make this a truly special honoring of our local talent. This historical night will be one you don’t want to miss! Buy your tickets soon, as seating is limited. We will see you there!

Purchase tickets for Friday, September 12th.
Purchase tickets for Saturday, September 13th.

Devyn Rae has a wonderful, refreshing sound. I first heard her play at an open mic at Sturman’s Wine and Cigars about a year ago. I admired her style and how she carried herself with the crowd of listeners. She was confident and unafraid to be herself or take her music seriously. Her foresty green guitar is memorable, a semi hollow body Diamond Coupe Schecter. She proudly bought it from a longtime family dealer in Denver called Drum City Guitar Land. I was excited to catch up with her at Pig Latin in Eagle (one of the coolest atmospheres in the Treasure Valley); we had a lovely conversation about timing, the importance of staying true to your music, and navigating new territory as a musician in the Treasure Valley.

Devyn moved to the Boise area after a successful music tenure in the Denver area. She grew up in Colorado, watching her father play drums and setting her heart ablaze for songwriting and music of all genres. She got to experience a perfect blend of city life and living with her grandparents on their cattle ranch, instilling a deep appreciation for hard work. She started writing songs at just 8 years old, recalling the first one being about goldfish snacks. As she progressed, she learned guitar from her dad’s bandmate and continued to focus on lyrics to perceive her everyday life. She tagged along with her father at band practice (One From None) and loved everything about it: the routine of practice, the banter, and the work put in. When she was in middle school, she came home one day to tell her grandpa that she wanted to be a songwriter. His reaction was blunt: “No, don’t do that.” Her father, even in his successful musicianship, told her it would be difficult.

Despite this real-world advice, Devyn remained consistent in her practice, though a little apprehensive of the goal. She entered a talent show during her senior year in high school with an original song and placed 2nd. This unleashed a stage confidence that would carry her to her next aspirations. She drew inspiration from being an early 2000s emo girlie meshed with the alternative and rock bands her father was into. She also attributes much of her versatile taste to her mother, who loves rap, soul, and the blues. She notes Hiatus Kaiyote, an Australian R&B/soul band, as impactful on her own taste and approach to music.

Her mother also put her in contact with a producer friend, Mario Romero. Devyn started working with him in his studios and learned how to record and get comfortable with the stage. He was a mentor and a reality check with the music world. It was a hard lesson during this time about the reality of what is expected of women in music. “You plan on working out, right?” They were looking at her as a product. She was also given the suggestion of creating a target audience. She kept getting feedback she wasn’t expecting, but it kept her fueled. She eventually veered off of that pursuit and started doing open mic nights to get to know people during college.

Devyn dabbled in various degrees, playing music on the side. She met bandmates during this time and started Devyn Rae Music in 2013, playing gigs all over the Denver area (notably opening for Hello, Goodbye). In 2020 she decided to put all of her focus on music and earned her BA in music with a minor in songwriting. She was also part of a prog rock band called Cista Vinum-Latin for box wine. They played regularly for 5 years before breaking apart. A year later, her fiancé got a new job, and they chose to come to Boise after hearing about the budding music scene.

Devyn has since been working with Huston Vineyards and working on her music. She released her most recent EP, Heart of Soup, in November of 2024. Her earlier single releases, Gold, Little Things, and Ghost, all feature her father on the drums, something she is incredibly proud of. She gigs wherever and whenever she can and is continuing to navigate the whole new world of the Idaho music scene.

We talked about the struggle to feel impactful as a musician and sometimes letting our minds get away with us. How there are friends and family who are chasing selfless work and how this lifestyle feels a bit selfish at times. But on the other side of that, realizing that music plays such an incredible role in our lives, achievements, heartache, and love. Songwriters expose feelings that listeners can relate to and feel heard. Music is a connective tissue that has bonded humans since the dawn of time.

When I asked Devyn what advice she would give to anyone looking to pursue music, she related it to speaking to her younger self, little Dev. “Just continue to believe in what you’re doing. Believe that it is something good, not just for yourself but for others around you. Believe that there’s more to life than just what you’re doing right now, but don’t get tunnel vision. Don’t be so committed that you lose everything else in life. Don’t stop doing it for anyone. Keep going and believe that this is something that was supposed to happen. Believe that it’s something that matters. Try not to get stuck in the bullshit, and keep that little person inside of you inspired and alive. So much of it dies over time with so many of us. As musicians, our job is to keep the magic alive.”

Devyn is a warm person with so much talent to share with the world. I enjoy her personality and drive, her kindness, and her confident knowing of purpose.

Click here to find out more about Devyn or book her for a show! Give her a follow on Instagram and check out her original music on Spotify or Apple Music.

Subscribe to Treasure Valley Notes to stay up-to-date on all of Devyn’s upcoming shows!

Interested in being featured in a “Deep Dive”? Contact us HERE!

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!