Thirty-seven international music artists are performing for Treefort 2024, coming from as far away as Malawi, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland — and even Ukraine. A series of genres from around the globe will be blasting from rock to electronic, punk to grunge and more.
Boise Weekly talked via email to three of the bands prior to their Treefort performances. The following conversations have been gently edited.
Big Fuzz
From New Westminster, BC, Canada comes the sounds of rock from the duo Big Fuzz. Francis Henson is the band's guitarist and vocalist and Anthony Cenerini is the drummer. The two have gone on to create college hits, collaborations nominated for the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Juno awards, and their 2023 self-produced debut EP “VOL. I.” This duo has been seen in music festivals throughout North America and are now coming to Boise's Treefort: They will play at the Cyclops Stage in Freak Alley Gallery, 6 - 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 and at The Shredder, 6 - 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.
How would you describe your music and who inspires you?
We’re a loud, sparkly duo rock band. If you enjoy good craft beer and dancing your butt off, you’ll probably like us. If you’ve ever found yourself wishing The Black Keys were just a touch heavier, you’ll probably love us. Obviously, as Canadians, we’re inspired by Big Shiny Tunes 2, Shania Twain, ice hockey, and poutine.
What do you want Boise to take away from your music?
We want Boise to think of (us) when they look back to their favorite discovery at Treefort this year!
How did your music journey begin and where do you want it to go or continue?
We’ve each been making music for a long time. Big Fuzz started when we started making noise together. Our goal is to continue making good noise for good people!
Yohei
Composer and producer from Tokyo, Japan, based in Los Angeles, Yohei creates a dream-like essence sound: “He makes his music outside in the garden with friends.” Yohei has a number of singles and two albums including his 2024 album “Echo You Know.” He can also be heard in the feature film "Hee" directed by Kaori Momoi. Yohei is playing at the Shrine Social Club 8 - 8:50 on Friday, March 22.
How would you describe your music and who inspires you?
I see my songs like dreams. Some are fun, some a bit sad at times … but you will eventually wake up from it and think "whoa that was weird" … kinda like that.
What do you want Boise to take away from your music?
I will see an old friend.
How did your music journey begin and where do you want it to go or continue?
I always liked listening to records. I think that led to making my own music. You can make the exact record you wanna listen to. I would like to keep doing what I am doing now, which is making music.
Ask Carol
Alternative indie-rock duo Ask Carol is from Auma, Norway; they are a small band, in a small town, but create a big sound. They play two guitars, drums, a synth, and have Carol's unique bass and guitar system that makes this duo represent a bigger band. Their tours have expanded internationally by performing for Japan, South Korea, South by Southwest (SXSW) and this is their first U.S. tour. For Treefort, they will be playing at Neurolux 6:40 - 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and at Payette Brewing, 3:50 to 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.
How would you describe your music and who inspires you?
Our music is a blend of many genres, with a solid base in rock. We like to experiment and to not be by genre labels.
We are inspired by many different artists, but also by experiences and things we see. For example, our last single, "Desert," was inspired by a road trip we did in the U.S., seeing those vast beautiful desert landscapes.
What do you want Boise to take away from your music?
Our music is a journey, from soft and mellow to raw and hard. And it is unique, because we use a lot of improvisation, no concert of ours will be alike. It is something that is experienced then and there in the moment, and only that.
How did your music journey begin and where do you want it to go or continue?
We met after high school, when we did a year of jazz studies. Then we talked about it for years, before we actually started playing together and making music.
When we finally started, we did our first ever concert in South Korea, just to get as far away from everything and everyone as possible, to try our first songs out. From there it has been non-stop, really.
Treefort 2024 international bands
- Ask Carol- Auma, Norway
- Beacon Bloom - Christchurch, New Zealand
- BIG FUZZ - New Westminster, BC, Canada
- Blusher- Melbourne, Australia
- Ché Aimee Dorval - Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cimafunk - Cuba
- Ciudad de Tar - Santiago, Chile
- CMAT - Dublin, Ireland
- Daði Freyr - Reykjavík, Iceland
- DakhaBrakha - Kyiv, Ukraine
- DJ Escuby - Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico
- Dry Cleaning - London, UK
- El Perro del Mar - Gothenburg, Sweden
- Field Guide - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Franc Moody - London, UK
- GHOSTWOMAN - Canada
- Hyroglifics - Bristol, UK
- Irvin Brown - Nassau, Bahamas
- Lev Snowe - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- LOS CHAPILLACS - Arequipa, Peru
- Marci - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Moldes - Perú
- Mungo - Lilongwe, Malawi
- Nabihah Iqbal - London, UK
- NOIA - Barcelona, Spain
- Non La - Vancouver, BC, Canada
- P.H.F. - Auckland, NZ
- PAPISA - São Paulo, Brazil
- Patrick Watson & Boise Philharmonic - Montreal, Canada
- Porij - Manchester, UK
- SISTEMAS INESTABLES - Chile
- SkiiTour - Whistler, Canada
- Sonido Gallo Negro - Mexico City, Mexico
- The Vices - Groningen, The Netherlands
- VALÉ - Los Angeles, CA / Barranquilla, Colombia
- Yohei - Tokyo, Japan
- Zea Mays - Bilbao, Spain
