Acoustic Music Venu (Boise, Pocatello, Idaho Falls: live, shops, move to)

[SteelString]

Hi Folks!

I'm currently residing in Orange County, CA, but am in discussions regarding a job in Idaho Falls. This post is very much "cart before the horse", as I really have no certainty that I'll ultimately end up working there, but, I'm hoping it works out. I've been ready to leave OC pretty much since I got here 17 years ago (grew up in Newark, DE). I haven't spent a lot of time in IF, but I have been there a few times (my wife's best friend lives in Dillon, MT, and drive up there to visit).

I've gotten lots of good information from this board already, but I do have one specific question that I really haven't seen answered:

I'm a singer/songwriter and solo acoustic performer (vox/guitar). I play primarily original material. This is a semi-serious hobby of mine. I've written and recorded (home "studio") 4 CDs over the last 5 years. I play fairly regularly in and around Orange County. If I were to move to IF, I would really like to find a place or two that I could play 1-2 times per month. Again - there's no band...it's just me and my guitar playing primarily songs that I've written. It's very lyric-driven and often quirky stuff. I've been compared to Todd Snider, if you are familiar with him.

I have played coffee shops in the past, but I prefer places that serve alcohol, only because I have a few silly Irish-themed drinking songs. Rowdy bars, or places that typically have full bands don't tend to be a good venue. My best gigs out here are typically at wine bars or fairs and festivals.

This isn't a deal-breaker for me. I'll setup a studio in my basement and continue to write and record. But I really do enjoy performing and was hoping to find place or two at which I could perform on a regular basis. If you are aware of such places, it would be great if you could let me know their names...if the job works out, I'd like to start talking to those folks ahead of the move.

Thanks for the info!

[tmp4]

I don't know of any coffee shops in town that have live music, so nothing to worry about there...

as far as bars that feature live music (and best fit your genre), your best options would be The Celt, Keefer's Island, MarCellars, and Black Rock. They all have Facebook pages so you might want to check out their events schedule to see if the acts they book are along the same lines as what you play.

there may be options within an hour or two drive (Victor, Jackson, Pocatello) but I'm not as familiar with those

[SteelString]

Thanks for the reply - will definitely check out those facebook pages!

Ideally, I wouldn't travel outside of IF (unless, I, you know, make it big )...

[tmp4]

needless to say, Bonneville County (pop 110,000) will have fewer venues than Orange County (pop 3,100,000)

in order to find gigs, you may have to hit the road a little. the 1.5 hr drive to the Jackson Hole area is super easy and very pretty. might be worthwhile if you do make this move

[SteelString]

Good point. I'd likely start local and, if I come up dry, will expand as necessary (insofar as I am able)>

[DanQuixote]

In addition to the above, The Cellar and Idaho Falls Brewing both feature soloists. I think maybe Billmans might too. I have a friend that does exactly what you do. Just him and his guitar, and he seems to have 2-3 gigs a month and could have more if he wanted. I'll ask about other venues tomorrow when I see him.

[tmp4]

good point about Idaho Brewing Company. I think The Zone Sports Grill might have live music sometimes (and they've really revamped the interior in case anybody hasn't been there recently)

The Cellar, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be the place for quirky, silly, Irish-themed drinking songs. I could be wrong though

[DanQuixote]

Oh, I dunno. I've seen some fairly eclectic stuff out on the patio of The Cellar when Scott H. was running the place. I couldn't tell you with the new owner though.

I forgot the artist's name, but we once did a wine tasting at The Cellar where the gentleman would taste the wine, then compose and play a guitar piece on the spot to "accompany" the wine.

The only additional thoughts my friend had was the "Alive after Five" Wednesday evening concert series in the summer.

[SteelString]

All good info - thanks, folks!

[banjomike]

MarCellar's likes jazz. Several local buddies and some from Boise have been regulars there, and they tend to favor guitar jazz over horn jazz.

Boise has a thumping live music scene going on. Idaho Falls was once a great place for a musician, but its not like it once was. While I'm retired now, I still look the scene over in town, and I think live music is making a slow return at last, after about 15 years of being a desert in comparison to what it was for the 30+ years I was playing professionally.

The trick here has always been versatility. The work is always easier to find if you can cover a few different genres pretty well. The main objective always is to keep the crowd. Sometimes that means keeping them dancing, sometimes playing stuff that keeps them interested. Keeping them planted all night long is what all the owners want, and keeping the owners happy is the key to steady work.

Good luck! I may run into you- I still go out to jams once in a while.