Darian Reneé is a Boise-based record producer, songwriter, vocalist, and vocal coach, who played music at the Pig Latin in Eagle on Sunday afternoon. Darian operates Muse Studios, the home base for her musical activities. Mixed in with some great covers, Darian played this song about returning home to Idaho.
The Mystics, a Boise classic rock band, played the Sandbar on the Greenbelt at the Riverside Hotel Thursday evening. You will find them at class reunions, cruise nights, festivals and various venues around the Treasure Valley. They did this Neil Diamond song, the Monkees had a hit with, and was also a hit in a Shrek Movie.
John Ceccarelli is an acoustic musician and songwriter based in Boise, who played Bar 365 at the Riverside hotel on Thursday. He combines the musical elements of Fingerstyle, Acoustic, Jazz, and Rock guitar genres. You won’t find John on the web or the socials, so look for him at Green Acres, the Bogus Patio and, of course, Bar 365.
Groove Alley (Tony Rheault on Keyboard/Vocal, Jerry Coleman on Trombone, and Bruce Wehler on Drums) performed last night at Swirl Wine Shop & Lounge. They specialize in a little New Orleans Jazz, a little Classic Rock, and a whole lot of Groove! That includes this classic from Duke Ellington.
Jordan Shaw, originally from the outskirts of Charlotte, now making his home in Boise, played an evening of country music at Voodoo Brewing Co. in Meridian. Jordan plays old Country, new Country and original Country, like this one about Growing Up Country.
Chance Daeseleer and Lexi Marie, a couple that shoehorns their music into lives that include work and parenthood, played music at The Getaway Bar in Nampa Friday evening. Chance is a little bit country and Lexi a little more folksy, as they showcased their diverse styles during the show. Tennessee Whiskey is a song they do together.
Dark Horse Band brought their brand of classic rock, country, and blues to Kerry Hill Winery Sunday afternoon a week ago. We heard music from folks like CCR, Loggins & Messina, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Dave Edmonds, J.J. Cale, and this from The Eagles.
Rita Hill is a rockin’ lady who has fulfilled many titles over the course of her life: abuelita, mom, law enforcement public information officer, photojournalist, business owner, and, what brought me to interview her, singer/songwriter. I met with her and her husband in downtown Nampa at Whiskey River. They were having their weekly open mic night, and I was eager to check it out. Rita and her husband, Mike, greeted me warmly upon entering the lively bar. We got right into the thick of living life and the thrill of a musical existence…while Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” played overhead. Fitting, somehow.
Rita and her husband moved to the Boise area two years ago from Lodi, California. They had fallen in love with Idaho years ago while on an RV trip and decided it would be their retirement destination. When they arrived in Boise, Rita connected with the music community immediately by joining the Idaho Songwriters Association and attending local open mics.
Music inspired Rita from a young age, spurred by a musically talented family. Her father was a musician in the local Tejano scene, and her brothers formed their own band. She recalled observing her two older brothers’ band practice while hiding under their bed to listen. She later found a beat-up guitar in an alleyway that those same brothers helped her restring and repair. She then taught herself how to play at the local library. By junior high and high school, Rita was writing songs regularly. She won a talent contest with one of those songs. It ended up being featured within the cheerleaders chant routine at games.
As life progressed, Rita grew into the ever-shifting life roles of mother and wife, setting her music aside to give her energy to her family. A writer’s mind can never lie completely dormant, however. Rita jotted down lines of songs between the demands of life and work that she would eventually revisit. When writing, her inspirations come in many forms. Movies or life events will spark ideas that come to her sometimes in the middle of the night. She loves feel-good songs but can spin a heartbreaker just as well.
After witnessing the terror of 9/11/2001, Rita felt compelled to write a song about the national tragedy. The very next day, she had a heartfelt tribute about being strong in light of the attacks. “Got to Be Strong” was picked up by the Fox network, and it was featured against a montage of footage alongside Rita performing it live within the news studios.
Rita met her current husband, Mike, while working for the sheriff’s department in Madera. She was hired to photograph his band, and the rest is history! He inspired her to continue writing and performing. She looks to him for encouragement and reassurance in times of self-doubt. Support like that goes a long way!
I was so happy we were in a setting where I could also see her perform. Her friendly personality comes alive onstage. She has a natural-born ability to weave words together in catchy melodies. Her lyrics flow in and out of English and Spanish, adding a distinctive sound and unexpected highlight when listening. I loved her unapologetic song, “Mama’s Rockin.” It’s a genre I’m deeming “classy mama wine rock.”
She is starting to take her songs more seriously, entering songwriting contests and looking to perform more throughout the Treasure Valley. She played in an all-female band called the ‘Cover Girls’ in Lodi. She would love to start something like this in Idaho (shoutout to any lady rockers looking for a band). Her heart is set on performing original songs, as covers feel a little foreign to her songwriter’s mind. Most recently, she has been playing at Nazca Coffee on the occasional Sunday. Rita also frequents Treasure Valley open mics.
When I asked Rita what advice she would have for someone wanting to follow in her footsteps, she quickly responded. “Write from the heart. Don’t try to be like someone else.” We discussed how authenticity is important when writing and performing. Audiences connect to lyrics that have been felt by the artist.
Rita is a gem of a human with a warm personality and a playful perspective on life and music. You can find her music on YouTube and follow her on Facebook to stay up to date on what’s in store!
Follow Live Treasure Valley Music to stay informed on where all the live music is happening!
Interested in being featured in a “Deep Dive”? Contact us HERE!
The Jeff Engelbert Band is a group of professional musicians dedicated to the highest level of quality musicianship with an unmatched passion for the music. They played an evening of Jazz, Pop and Rock at the Riverside Hotel‘s Sandbar on Friday. Check out this T-Bone Walker classic.
Devyn Rae, a Treasure Valley singer/songwriter based in Caldwell, played a mix of Pop, Country and Jazz at Bar 365 inside The Riverside Hotel in Garden City Friday Evening. She played music from Fleetwood Mac, Tears For Fears, Chris Stapleton, The Neighbourhood, and this original about her grandparent’s love story called “Lover’s Knot”.
