Missoula Welcomes Flipturn: August 6th Show Review and Recap

Missoula Welcomes Flipturn: August 6th Show Review and Recap

August 6 | The Wilma Theatre

Photo by Jenna Mitchell Photography

For their first time ever playing in Montana, Flipturn made sure it wouldn’t be their last.

The Florida-based indie rock band brought an infectious energy to the Wilma Theatre in Missoula on August 6, turning a nearly sold-out crowd into one big wave of movement and excitement.

Photo by Jenna Mitchell Photography

From the moment they stepped onstage, the band’s stage presence was electric, playful, confident, and totally dialed in.

(We also want to note and appreciate the Montana Griz sweatshirt vocalist Dillon Basse wore - not that we're biased but go griz!)

The lighting setup added to the experience, washing the venue in mood-shifting colors that synced perfectly with each song’s tone and vibe. From jumping and dancing on stage to fun crowd interaction, the groups stage presence added an important layer to the show that kept the crowd engaged and having the time of their lives the whole night.

Highlights from the night included fan favorites like Sad Disco, Burnout Days, and a fitting performance of August in the great month of August - the crowd knew every word and you could tell people were waiting for this moment the whole night. Something about hearing the crowd sing in unison always makes a show extra memorable. They closed out the show with Chicago and Nickels, which ended the night on a high note that had the whole crowd dancing.

Photo by Jenna Mitchell Photography

Their sound was true to the recordings, but elevated in a live setting with the band’s energy, instrumentation, and incredible stage presense. One standout moment came during the final song, when the drummer ditched the kit and played within the crowd and in the front of the stage, going out on an intimate moment with fans, and hyping the crowd up to leave with lasting memories.

Whether you were down in the pit or watching from the balcony, the good vibes and high energy were impossible to miss.

Montana and Missoula get a lot of great artists, but you could tell that people had been waiting for Flipturn to come.

Flipturn may be new to the Montana scene, but if this show is any indication, they’ve already made their mark.

From Boston Roots to Seattle Stages: GENEVA Finds their Way Back to The PNW Music Scene

From Boston Roots to Seattle Stages: GENEVA Finds their Way Back to The PNW Music Scene

Photo by: Zachary Hartman

In a scene where genre lines blur and creative freedom reigns, GENEVA is embracing a new chapter. The six-piece rock-fusion band, known for their eccentric songwriting and electric stage presence, recently relocated from Boston to Seattle—and they’re ready to break into the Pacific Northwest’s music scene.

With their recent West Coast tour wrapped, a new lineup in place, and their sights set on bigger stages (and deeper connection), GENEVA is entering a new era: one that’s rooted in advocacy, diversity, and, of course, killer music.

Roots and reinvention

Though the band was founded in Boston where the original group went to school, GENEVA’s story actually begins in Spokane, Washington, where Lea Anderson, the band's vocalist, alongside keyboardist Andrew Atkison, first started making music back in high school with their band Monke Business. Years later, the two reunited at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where they met the rest of GENEVA’s original lineup and began playing shows across the city.

But the decision to relocate wasn’t just logistical—it was personal. 

Photo by: Zachary Hartman

Lea felt a pull back to the Pacific Northwest. Seattle’s vibrant, genre-diverse scene offered what Boston couldn’t: space to grow, experiment, and build genuine community.

“When we went to Boston, it was like we were very well received, among our community when we were playing shows and stuff. But the scene just wasn't there.” Lea Explains. 

“We felt pretty stuck over there. And I have some friends in Seattle who were demonstrating the vibrancy and accessibility of the music scene there -  it's like there's always a show happening. There's so many bands, there's such variety and genres. There's a music scene for punk, a music scene for rock music, scene for pop.”

“Everything has its place in Seattle."

Exploring the sound

GENEVA’s sound is hard to pin down, but take one listen and you'll understand that that's exactly the point. Each member comes from a different background, which helps strengthen their sound and cannot-be-contained energy.

GENEVA’s music can be described as a high-energy, genre-bending set that spans from indie to funk to hard-hitting rock. Lea says the best genre to put them in would be rock-fusion. The combination of genres, styles, and backgrounds leaves room for music that will resonate with you in a number of ways. 

“All of our music is pretty danceable…we have a lot of fun on stage” says Lea. “Some people even describe us as ‘camp,’”

Beyond the Music

While their sound is infectious and fun, their message is just as important. GENEVA uses their platform to write about mental health, self-love, identity, and social justice. GENEVA’s sound goes beyond catchy lyrics and danceable tunes in every venue they play - there’s power within the words and the message of their music. 

“We’re a very diverse band, and a lot of our music is very advocacy and activist based. We write a lot of political music and music that is sometimes  taboo,” Lea shares. “I really think my mission is using my platform to give a voice to people who might not have it.”

Their lyrics are deeply personal but crafted to resonate, and to spark something deeper in the audience. Their songs are catchy, but meaningful, which makes up a big part of their mission as a band. 

West Coast touring

This past summer, GENEVA hit the road for a West Coast tour that stretched from Idaho to California - playing familiar venues in hometowns, as well as some unique nights that made for lasting memories (including a Thai Restaurant in Richland, with surprisingly good sound and impeccable vibes). 

With a brand-new lineup and barely a week of rehearsals before the first show, the tour was both a challenge and a turning point.

“The first rehearsal was a little rough,” Lea admits. “By the third day, I was like, we sound good. And then throughout the rest of the week, we became happier and honing in on details.”

The tour included memorable shows in Moscow (ID), Spokane, Seattle, Boise, Sandpoint, Bellingham, and Santa Cruz, with both traditional venues and DIY spaces on the map. Playing The Hive in Boise was a highlight for the group, as well as packing the house in Spokane at The Big Dipper. 

“I think my favorite part around here was just seeing all the different places.” 

The tour hitting Seattle a few times was also a high point, and gave them an extra sense of security in their upcoming move. The crowds were engaged, the fans showed out, and shows were played in the middle of a public park - something not many other cities can attest to. 

“It was really cool to know this is where were going to be for the foreseeable future.” 

Not everything went smoothly - many know the ups and downs of touring and trying to get yourself out there - but by the time they reached their final stop in Denver, they had not only broken even, but gained a new sense of momentum. The tour brought them across new places and gave them more hope and excitement for the future of GENEVA - both musically, and geographically. 

What’s next for GENEVA

Now based in Seattle, GENEVA is focused on recording new material, expanding into the local DIY scene, and building their presence across the Pacific Northwest.

“Were going to have a lot more music. We plan to play a ton of shows, really break into the DIY scene and focus more on that.”

One new song, “Stargazing,” written during tour downtime, has already become a fan favorite as they played it across cities on tour - so you can expect more music and shows from GENEVA in their new home. 

Photo by: Zachary Hartman

Where to Find GENEVA

From tour, to Seattle, and streaming, GENEVA has a strong voice and presence that we feel encapsulates so much of the PNW community. 

Stream their current releases on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your music. For tour dates, new releases, and behind-the-scenes updates, follow them on Instagram

and stay tuned for new things coming soon in this new era of GENEVA!

August to August: How One Spokane Musician Is Reimagining Community Through Lo-Fi Sound

How One Spokane Musician Is Reimagining Community Through Lo-Fi Sound

Photo by Anthony Moore

The Spokane music scene is thriving, and at the heart of it, you’ll find artists like August to August: a one-man band whose passion for creativity, connection, and community pulses through every loop, beat, and key. What began as a personal challenge in a living room has grown into a project that embodies the DIY spirit and neighborly heart of Spokane’s music community.

“I was a drummer first,” says August to August’s Jayson Orth, recounting his early years in the scene. After moving to Spokane in 2010 to attend Gonzaga, he quickly became immersed in local music. His former band, Boat Race Weekend, toured the West Coast and put out several albums before its members eventually scattered in different directions.

What came next wasn’t part of a master plan—it was a quiet pivot.

“...I made it a goal for myself to learn piano a little more, and with no expectation of it becoming anything,” he admits. “So I set this personal goal: one simple song a month for a year. Just me, a $50 Casio keyboard, and my iPhone.”

Though he didn’t quite make it to twelve tracks, the resulting eight-song collection sparked something that started August to August.

That humble project laid the foundation for a new chapter. “I guess I was trying to step away from, you know, having a perfect album or perfect job,” he says. That mindset still drives August’s approach today. After teaching himself more piano and experimenting with recording, he leaned into loop-based live performance, building full songs on stage using drums, keys, and samples.

According to his artist bio, August to August is a one-man band from Spokane, WA that mixes acoustic drums with ambient synths, guitars, keys, vocal samples, and more to create an ethereal lo-fi hip hop sound. He’s best known for his captivating live performances, where he switches between and often simultaneously plays keys, a Roland Octapad, and an acoustic drum kit—crafting layered, emotive songs in real time.

After a decade of drumming and touring with bands across the Pacific Northwest, Orth launched this solo project not with commercial goals, but simply to push himself creatively. What started as an experiment turned into something he wanted to share with the community. That “something” became “Slow Down,” his sophomore album, released independently on February 9, 2024, on vinyl and all streaming platforms. Every note—written, performed, produced, mixed, and mastered—was done by Orth himself.

Now, his performances span everything from traditional venues to art galleries, farmers markets, and family-friendly festivals. And it’s not just about the gigs. August’s shows often become community moments. His wife and daughter can attend his performances, and he’s found a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems that support local music. “Sometimes you'll end up meeting someone and talking to them way later down the road, and you'll realize, oh my gosh, that too was like a really big deal,” he says.

That sense of connection runs even deeper when you consider his day job: Orth is also a high school math teacher. “It [the music] influences different parts of my life. I like the things I learned from the music community I bring back to my classroom. And, I wanted to build community there.

His music—instrumental, experimental, and often laced with a quiet, hopeful energy—offers audiences a moment of calm in a loud world. “I guess I want people to walk away with, you know, that's different and that's kind of funky and unconventional,” he explains. “And I hope that encourages people to go out and be creative, even if it looks different.”

“In high school, I really liked a band called Listener…And then fast forward to when I was in that band called Boat Race Weekend, one thing led to another and we ended up playing a house show with Listener.” Orth explains in talking about his upcoming show. He will be playing in Spokane next week at the upcoming show opening for Dan Smith (of Listener) at The Big Dipper on July 22. “And I get to share the stage with Dan Smith as this new August to August project. That's like that's like the perfect full circle moment… just talking about it gives me chills.”

His latest EP Seasons, available everywhere

Through it all, Orth remains grounded in the bigger purpose behind August to August: connection, vulnerability, and the courage to create. “There’s no barrier,” he says. “I’m just a guy doing my thing. I might screw up, but it’s live music. That’s what it’s all about.”

Catch August to August live at the Big Dipper July 22, and explore his music on all streaming platforms.

For tour dates and new releases, follow @augustaugustmusic on Instagram or visit augustaugustmusic.com.