Finn Riggins is a bona fide independent rock band that writes, performs and produces its own music. The past year has not been kind to indie rock 'n' rollers, especially in the Wood River Valley, but Finn Riggins soldiers on and survives in a souring economy with yo-yo gas prices and an increasing lack of venues to play in the area.
Finn Riggins has an experimental, post-punk sound that is alluring and intriguing. The trio is comprised of Cameron Bouiss on drums, including an electrified steel drum, Lisa Simpson on guitar and lead vocals and Eric Gilbert on keyboards and vocals. All members sing and play several types of instruments and create unusual sounds, which complement its eclectic and novel tones.
For two months the trio toured the eastern seaboard playing gigs with other bands, friends and its label.
"Considering the economy, we got paid less, had no college gigs but saved a thousand dollars in gas," Gilbert said. "We didn't notice any lack of other touring bands—in fact, other bands we know and friends texted us that they were back out on the road."
Though band members noticed a drop in dollars at the merchandise table, they noticed many returning fans and felt they had a following. Their stop in New York City included playing at the College Music Journal music festival, known as CMJ.
"We were in a showcase of all Portland, Oregon, bands," Gilbert said. "We were with our label, Tender Loving Empire, and its owner's band, Jared Mees and the Grown Children, and Super XX Men and several other bands. The second show we played at The Charleston in Brooklyn's Willamsburg neighborhood and played until midnight."
After its CMJ experience, the band felt the festival had a lot of hyped bands, which were not very entertaining, and it continued its tour to New England. While in Burlington, Vt., Finn Riggins had the opportunity to record music.
"We recorded four songs for two days," Gilbert said. "We also played some really cool shows for the week and added Maine and Connecticut to the tour. We also added Iowa, which makes 35 states for the year."
When Finn Riggins returned to Idaho, band members decided it was time to release another album. Needing to practice, space to write and create and an urban environment, they're making Boise a home base.
"The tour felt like a nice way to draw things together for us, solidify things," Gilbert said. "In Boise there are lots of other bands, and it has more venues."
Gilbert said the band worked with Whiskey's and The Mint and had brought bands from Boise as well as friends, but neither venue exists now and Finn Riggins has to keep its momentum going.
"In Boise, the Visual Arts Collective is super cool, and it supports indie music," Simpson said. "It's a diverse artist space where artists can convene and be friendly. I'm inspired by other people's artistic endeavors. Being around more people is inspiring."
For Finn Riggins, Boise is fun, and the trio can still be a band from Idaho, which it loves because people remember it, and it's not just another band. Hoping to make some connections in Boise with musicians such as Dave Martsch of Built to Spill, Finn Riggins will continue to be a part of the Wood River Valley and bring and play as much music as possible.
"We want to focus on the West and need to think about economics of touring," Gilbert said. "In general, we are really pleased with the audiences and getting the music out there."
Finn Riggins is playing its first show in the valley since returning from it tours on Friday, Dec. 19, at Fresshies with the Piers Lamb Band. The show starts at 10 p.m. and is for all ages and is free.
Courtesy photo by Dominique Svamberk
Finn Riggins playing at Boise’s The Big Easy, now known as The Knitting Factory.
