Finn Riggins, a quirky, unique trio based in Hailey, will continue its tour in support of its new album, "A Soldier, A Saint, An Ocean Explorer," released in November on Tender Loving Empire Records, an independent label in Portland, Ore.
The multi-talented band consists of Eric Gilbert on keys, synths, organ, accordion and sampler, Cameron Bouiss on drums, steel drum, drum pad and washboard, and Lisa Simpson on guitars, keys and drums. All three sing and write the original, eclectic rock music.
They met while completing their music degrees at the University of Idaho, and in 2006, Bouiss, Gilbert and Simpson quit their jobs and moved to the Wood River Valley.
"This one will be our most extensive tour to date, as we will be out for nearly nine weeks and will play in 30 states, going as far southeast as Florida and as far northeast as Maine," Gilbert said. "We're very excited about it. The tour back East in the fall was very successful and the response was surprisingly strong at pretty much every stop. And that was before we released our album, so we're excited to build on that momentum."
The album is getting airplay on college and independent radio all over the country.
To kick off the tour, the band will play at Fresshies in Hailey at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29. The show is free, and open to all ages. Piers Lamb, who grew up in Hailey, will open the show.
"I'm starting my solo acoustic career," Lamb said. "It's kind of Americana-folkie. Mostly original music with a Ryan Adams influence."
Lamb, who plays guitar, harmonica and loop pedal, has been playing in Boise bars for about five years.
"In general, we're just really excited to be sharing our music and overall artistic vision with so many new people and for the daily adventures that come with touring the country in a van with two of your best friends in the whole world," Gilbert said.
The band played at Fresshies back in January and "it was a blast," Gilbert said.
"We didn't mean to schedule a Leap Day show, but once we realized we did we were excited because it's a pretty rare opportunity to have a show on Leap Day. Should be fun and a great way to say bye to the valley for a couple of months."
Eric Gilbert, left, Lisa Simpson and Cameron Bouiss are Finn Riggins, on their way to the road. Photo by
