Andy Crosby, a local singer/songwriter, played a evening of music Saturday at the Star Saloon. He grew up in Donnelly and loves the small-town life. In October, he will head for Austin for more recording. Here’s one written for his brother Jeff, In My Arms.
Michele Eastland is a Boise singer who specializes in jazz, blues, and timeless classics. Michele sang an evening of engaging music Friday evening at the Level Up Lounge in Meridian. I just love this Madonna tune and had to capture it.
Cliff Miller & Makaela Ruggs, played some country/folk music Wednesday evening at Lovely Hallow Farms near Caldwell. Cliff‘s music is defined by catchy melodies and poignant lyrics, inspired by his growing up in a small town and the family life he enjoys. Makaela is a staple of the Idaho fiddle community who adds lovely color to Cliff’s music. This original is called “True North“.
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.
Day Job View ia a Treasure Valley band featuring Lanae (vocals/rhythm guitar) who sings like a bird, Rase (drummer) who has way too much fun back there, and Ryan (electric guitar) who can make that thing sound like all kind of instruments. At Indian Creek Winery Sunday afternoon, among an eclectic group of covers, they did this original, “Mystery Of Her”.
Steady Rush, Boise’s acoustic pop duo, played at Maddie’s Wine and Whiskey in Meridian Wednesday evening. We heard covers done by The Four Tops, Gnarls Barkley, Amy Winehouse, Bryan Adams, The Temptations, Uncle Kracker, and more plus this original “Still Love Me” which can be found on Spotify.
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!
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.
