The road can be a long and lonely place, but for many musicians, they can find comfort from the touring life in Idaho - yes, Idaho!
Even though Texas is their home, Shane Smith and the Saints have found refuge in the mountain town of Stanley, Idaho.
“Idaho is our home away from home,” said Smith. “We go out of our way to play in Idaho every year.”
Shane Smith started songwriting in the late 2000s in Tyler, Texas. With the help of other band members, the Saints, the folk-rock band was finally formed in 2011. These humble beginnings inspired more than great music, but an unbelievable work ethic that got Shane Smith and the Saints the cult-like following they have today. “Each fan was earned,” said Smith, “made by our live shows.” Not having a strong mainstream radio presence has not stopped this band from gaining its national following. One of the most influential stops on their uprising in the music industry was, of course, Stanley, Idaho. Thanks to a seasonal worker at Mountain Village Resort who happened upon the newly formed band at a festival in Colorado and the romanticized tails of Idaho through the Braun Brothers music, the band headed north to find a fan base like no other.
It took hard work to gain the fanbase they have today because it grew organically from show to show and word of mouth, not over social media, internet stardom, or mainstream media exposure. “Thanks to the anonymous worker from Mountain Village Resort, we were introduced to Stanley, Idaho,” said Smith “Our first show in Stanley was his last day of work. We never saw him again.” Now, Shane Smith and the Saints make it a priority to perform in Idaho every year, if not multiple times a year.
Photo Credit: Andrew Quinn
Photo Credit: Andrew Quinn
Having seen so many communities on their cross-country tours, the band knows that Idaho is something special. “Austin, Texas and Stanley, Idaho both have a strong artistic culture,” said Smith, “I hope people step forward to preserve the integrity of what makes these communities so great and unique.” Like Texas, a majority of Idaho’s appeal is untouched, wildlands and the beautify and culture that comes along with it. Shane Smith and the Saints strive to celebrate the culture of small-town Central Idaho, and support the local businesses within it, like Mountain Village Resort.
The fans of Shane Smith and the Saints are supporters on and off stage. “We’ve had so many vehicle issues,” said Smith, “and Idaho has seen their fair share of them, but there is always someone ready to help out.” When Shane rolls into town, each member of their crew is treated like an old friend. There are not many cities where you can show up and always have a place to stay, but in Stanley, Idaho there is an unofficial family waiting to reconnect with them. Because of their history in Idaho, Shane Smith and the Saints have strived to learn and embrace the community and culture that Idaho is so famous for.
So… you may ask “why does Shane Smith and the Saints have the following they have?” It’s simple - their shows are unlike any other. From the awing Celtic influence in their music to Bennett Brown, the over-enthusiastic fiddle player, this band doesn’t just play, they show up - guns blazing. And, with Idaho being their favorite place to play, you know they won’t hold back.
Shane Smith is excited to be performing in Boise at the Knitting Factory on Thursday, August 19th. They haven’t played in Boise in quite a while, but they are hoping the fans from rural Idaho and inner-city Boise, like always, will show up in full force.
Pick up your tickets today:
Shane Smith Tour and Tickets
Photo Credit: Andrew Quinn
Photo Credit: Andrew Quinn