There were some great things happening at Storyfort, including a book reading and signing from Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast.
A small crowd gathered on the lawn to hear her speak. She talked about her Korean-American heritage, and read a passage from her book, “Crying in H Mart.”
This NY Times bestseller is soon to be made into a movie by MGM Orion. What a year for Michelle! We were so lucky she was a part of Treefort Music Fest.
She is really excited about the recent music she contributed for the video game, “Sable.” She says this is one of her favorite songs she has ever written.
During the Q&A portion of her appearance at Storyfort, she joked about being older than she looks because she is Asian. She listed a few favorite food books, including one on gastronomical tours, books by author Anthony Bourdain, and “The Vegetarian,” by Han Kang.
Brooklyn Vegan posted some fashion photos, where Michelle is modeling for Tom Petty Official merchandise. Check it out HERE.
On the Main Stage with her band, Michelle often smiled and danced. She played a giant gong in the center of the stage. Earlier at Storyfort, she joked about their bass player leaving them to be in a more famous band. She said that band had fired him, and he was their bass player once again.
Sorry for the late-ish post, as we were waiting for photo approval. All photos by Rochelle Smith, and approved by Tenatoms Management.
Day 2 of Treefort started with a lovely book reading/signing from Michelle Zauner at Storyfort. She spoke of her Korean heritage, and upcoming movie for her book “Crying in H Mart.” She has so may projects going on, including doing music for the video game “Sable,” which was just released today!
This husband and wife duo gave us a great daytime set at The Record Exchange. It has been so long since we’ve hand an in-store performance there, and so great to have this Seattle group be a part of Treefort Music Fest.
This is a new song that they will have out next month!
The Record Exchange is like family, it felt so good to see live music on their stage again. Much love to the new owners/employees who will keep their vision and culture alive in Boise!
You can catch Smokey Brights again at El Korah on Saturday, and The Hideout on Sunday. They are a great band I encourage you to check out! Learn more about them here.
In the press room, I head people talking about Lake Street DRIVE, and Michael FranTAY. I loved that they were excited about their music, but the mispronunciations made me grin.
I started Day 1 of Treefort with Storyfort, and a workshop on Activism during Covid. There were some amazing stories of perseverance and privilege.
Most people were masked at the Main Stage Venue.
I saw a few other groups, but was really excited to see Lake Street DIVE. We’ve had them in studio before.
Rachel Price somehow only gets better. They played an amazing set at Treefort Main Stage, including extra songs at the end, and a couple of covers. Sorry for the lens flare, but their version of Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Tme” was SO good!
Today, Treefort brings us a book reading from Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast. They will be on the Main Stage tonight.
I caught mantis puppet/neighbor Bitsy dancing under the moonlight. Excuse the drunk people swearing behind me. I tried to stand in the right place, it looks like some sort of animation. LOVE the puppets from Colossal Collective! (NSFW)
There was so much to do in Boise last weekend! Art in the Park was happening in Julia Davis Park, and Boise Pride Festival was happening at Cecil D. Andrus and all over town! Mary Lambert was a performer on the main stage Saturday, and we scheduled a rare Sunday interview and performance with her at my work.
I thought it would be fun to do something different this time. I’d heard she used to be a bartender, and asked if she might make a cocktail for us. I didn’t realize she’d stopped drinking a couple of months ago, and she asked if she could make a Mocktail instead! I told her that sounded great, and started gathering supplies for her Spicy Basil Mojito. It was fun and hilarious, once Mary realized she was using the wrong end of the muddler! See for yourself in the video below.
Mary arrived with partner Wyatt from Massachusetts, who is also a non-drinker. Wyatt is a super-smart college professor, who was on Jeopardy last year. Mary tells us Wyatt’s scholarly background includes English, Grammar, Rhetoric, and Composition, and that they are both Bi-Polar. Wyatt credits this book and podcast in helping them make the changes away from alcohol, and being a choice that doesn’t mean having to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. To learn more about their journey away from alcohol, check out “The Naked Mind” podcastHERE.
While muddling the basil for the Mojito, Mary Lambert told us she was born with no sense of smell. It’s called “Anosmia.” She says, “These are just pretty little leaves.” She says she also can’t taste the difference between different kinds of soda. Mary mentioned that she had quit smoking 2 years ago, after smoking for 15 years.
Mary told us about various projects she’s involved in, including “The Manic Episodes” podcast with partner Wyatt. It is both serious and fun. Find it HERE.
During the winter, Mary had fun voicing a character for “Arlo the Alligator Boy.” This is an animated musical and series you can find on Netflix. It’s really fun to watch her character Bertie, and I love this song she did for the show!
She is also doing a bit of life coaching/teaching in her Everybody Is a Babe workshop. She explores body positive ideas, self esteem, sharing feelings, and even some dancing. You can do Zoom meeting either live, or when you have time. There is a live Friday dance Zoom. The workshops are 4 weeks long, and the next one starts October 4th. Sign up HERE!
It was great spending Sunday morning with Mary Lambert. She is brilliant, and full of smiles. My friend Jenn Snyder loaned her fancy keyboard, and my friend Theresa Palmgren offered to film. When our visit was done, Mary mentioned she was off to see her Grandma, who lives in Nampa. She says she is the 5th “Mary” in her family, and they all like to sing. Mary’s Grandma went to Boise Pride to watch her perform! Mary said they would likely sing lots of church hymns and rounds when she went to visit.
I was grateful for Mary’s visit, and it’s so refreshing to have a guest so genuine, hilarious, and easy to connect with. She gets real, talking about emotional healing, and super fired-up talking about Texas! It was such a fun experience, and we can’t wait to have her back. Maybe when she’s done writing her book, we can talk about it.
To hear the full podcast including her views on Texas, find my podcast “She Likes To Go Slow” HERE.
Here, you’ll find the full interview/music performance remixes on YouTube.
I know it’s not Christmas yet, but I’ll leave you with this treasure I found. Love these adorable nerds!
My friends Jenn Snyder and Meghan Watters recently played a benefit concert for a friend who had unexpectedly lost her brother. The concert helped with funeral and medical expenses. KTVB was there doing a story on the importance of music.
Here are some future upcoming shows, including a couple of rare solo shows!
LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
(I’m so lucky to play Art in the Park twice! I’ll be joining Jenn Snyder 3:30-4:30 9/11, then stay on stage to join my friends Blaze and Kelly at 5 pm.)
Sat Sep 11 2021 3:30p Art in the Park Boise, ID With JENN SNYDER Age Limit: All Ages Tickets: FREE Details: Jenn Snyder and Rochelle Smith playing Art in the Park, 3:30-4:30 pm!
Sat Sep 11 2021 5:00p Art in the Park Boise, ID With BLAZE AND KELLY Age Limit: All Ages Tickets: FREE Details: Blaze and Kelly with Meghan Watters and Rochelle Smith, 5-6 pm!
Wed Sep 15 2021 6:00p Lucky Fins Seafood Grill -… Boise, ID With ELIZABETH FINDLEY Age Limit: All Ages Tickets: FREE Details: Elizabeth Findley and Rochelle Smith live at Lucky Fins Boise, 6-9 pm!
Fri Oct 1 2021 4:30p Boise Consumer Co-Op Boise, ID Age Limit: All Ages Tickets: FREE Details: Celebrate FIRST FRIDAY with great deals, and live music from Rochelle Smith 4:30-7:30 pm!
The Old Idaho Penitentiary has a film fest on stories of their past prisoners. It’s called “13 Stories.” Right now I’m working on “House of Helen,” about bordello owner Helen Hall.
The fun fact about this film is that it ties in with my last film, “Revolve.” Both of these movies feature some very good friends of mine, including Jenn Snyder, Jamie Borge, and Jeff Schoedler.
Feel free to catch up on the story by watching my short film “Revolve,” on the Amazon Link HERE.
It had been well over a year since our last session. We all laughed as we were beginners again at everything. What side of the TV does the USB plug into? Did someone ask Eric for a graphic? Where's Tim's music stand? There were 2 times that I pretty much closed my eyes and pushed a button on the mixer to get where I needed to go. We could go live on Facebook, but with no audio. We were all very rusty, but couldn't ask for a better person to start our year of sessions.
Our winners were so excited to get together and have amazing lunch from Piehole Pizza! They gave us a great vegan pizza and 3 others, I was so excited to see my favorite potato bacon.
As we got ready to go live, Eilen mentioned that it was "great to live life again."
During Covid, Eilen said she did a little writing, but no full songs yet. She is just happy to have a healthy family. Before the session, she mentioned being nervous as daughter Mavis is off to her first summer camp!
Eilen spoke of the loss of a great Idaho songwriter, Pinto Bennett. I used to watch him play when Lock, Stock, and Barrel was on Emerald. Eilen and Jason had produced Pinto's last album, "The Last Saturday Night." When asked about the loss of Pinto, Eilen said, "The world just got a little less interesting."
When the session was done, listeners mingled ate pizza, shared hugs and stuck around. Our friend Carrie noted that people never stuck around as they have to get back to work. Eilen said, "There was a time when I thought this would never happen." We couldn't agree more, and no one knows if we're past this or just between quarantines. We hope you can hear some great outdoor music this summer, including weekend shows with Eilen at Kin.
A couple of months ago we did a thing. Several friends old and new, gathered to help my screenplay come to life!
Most of my films have been documentaries with few people involved. As time goes on, I’m trying to grow my film game. Pink Feather involved new equipment, lights, and nearly 16 people in actors and crew. We are all learning as we go. I was blessed with professional video and editing techs, a friend to do sound so I could direct, even people helping with makeup. A few friends and I spent hours adding the finishing touches of local music.
In the last week, Pink Feather has been shown to over 200 people, at some huge fundraising events. It was great to have most of the cast see their hard work, and especially to see the crowd reactions and see what parts they thought were funny.
It was such an honor to have the support of Idaho Film Commission in sponsoring part of our sound costs. It was, however, a small portion of budget on this important film. I’m really hoping to get this message out into the world by entering several film festivals. Those costs can be $20-$90 per festival, with no guarantee of acceptance.
I’m working on a couple of other possible Boise showings. People have asked how they can help. Covid shutdowns cut about 1/3 of my income, then I had to go and break my shoulder. There are many creative ideas in my head, but I need some things to make them all happen.
If you feel like donating to my film projects, my Venmo information is below. Funds will be used for film festival submissions, education, and small equipment purchases. These are all passion projects, and please know that your donations are incredibly appreciated! Thank you so much to those who have already supported my dreams.
2 big things happened today. First, “Violin Scratches” was accepted into its second film festival in India.
This New Delhi festival is the first that I paid to have pro subtitles added to the film, and the first ever disability festival it has been accepted to. I am SO excited for it to finally have this exposure, as Gaelynn has been so dedicated to her disability survey and upcoming book. It is so exciting to at least imagine this film showing around the world. I wish I could see it in person.
Part deux.
I was out tonight with friends, and got a notice that “my article” was ready. I answered some questions about a month ago and figured nothing had become of it.
AGENDA Fashion and Lifestyle magazine printed my entire interview! Please take time to read it HERE. I am so honored and grateful.
The “Pink Feather” film, which is my baby, is in post-production. I hope to have it out to festivals in a few weeks. After that will be another local western film featuring a female prisoner from the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. “House of Helen” features a brothel owner who was imprisoned for serving a minor.
After that, I am circling back around to documentaries. Hope to have a couple of surprises by the end of the year! Thanks for following along.
This scientist and author has been writing and podcasting about “The Hidden Brain,” for years. Shankar Vedantam’s new book is called, “Useful Delusions.” Learn about the power of both positive and negative thinking, in this intriguing interview that is well worth your time.
I’m going to start backing up a few work blogs on this site. Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with our friend and amazing talent, LP.
If you’re not familiar with LP, look into this brilliant person’s success. LP has written songs for Cher, Rhianna, Backstreet Boys, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, and many other’s. If you get to see a live LP concert, you will witness a charisma like you’ve never seen. With global fans, LP sells out shows worldwide. At Bumbershoot, I watched fans throw ukuleles onto the stage.
We have been lucky to have LP in our Blue Moon Listener Lounge in the past. With a voice like a songbird, LP quickly had us all captivated.
It was so nice to catch up again with this Zoom interview. Within this, you’ll hear a brand new track. You will get to meet Orson, the dog, and you’ll hear discussions on gender identity, and the upcoming new album. I love the realness of LP. Sometimes the discussion is flirty, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, always genuine. Note to folks viewing at work, this is UNCENSORED and full of colorful swears. Hope you enjoy it! ~ Rochelle
Update : I’m so grateful that “Violin Scratches” was chosen as a documentary winner in this festival!
This is the 6th year for this unique and wonderful film festival from Santa Monica, California.This 2021 virtual festival has a focus on female creators, filmmakers and heroes.
For less than $30, you can enjoy over 35 hours of contest. Where else can you support female-driven films for just over $1 an hour?
It’s such an honor that my film “Violin Scratches,” featuring Gaelynn Lea, is featured in this festival. This short has won some awards, is touring the film circuit, and has been shown in Idaho, California, Oregon, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, and India.
Gaelynn is a true hero! She is still working on her upcoming book. Please help show your support her through her Patreon page, and check out her weekly Sunday Sessions on Facebook!
I hope you will consider checking out the Artemis “Women in Action” Film Festival! Learn more, and purchase your passat this website.
This is a website where all of my interests and directions can come together. It’s where you will find my latest film projects, podcasts, music blogs, and music performance listings.
Rochelle Smith Productions 