Idaho might read like the wide open in-between, but for Cactus Moon it’s a creative engine. Rooted in Boise’s Treefort-fueled ecosystem, the duo bends Western shimmer, surf-tinged guitars, and widescreen synths into Day for Night—a moody, cinematic debut that feels timeless rather than trendy. We talk land as muse, Morricone energy, backing-vocal architecture, and why Boise’s scene is suddenly a city of sound. Vinyl’s out, shows are rolling, and yes—two goth-leaning Halloween singles are on deck.
Mundane Mag: Being based in Idaho feels so different from making music in New York or LA. Does that change the way you write and connect as artists?
Chelsea: Definitely. I actually moved here after being exposed to Treefort Music Fest. It’s wild — such a big festival in such a small city. That plugged me right into the local scene, and it’s been a huge asset. Boise is surprisingly vibrant. For me, it’s all about that mix of a small community but big opportunities.
Jake: I grew up here, but I also lived in New York for a while. The biggest difference? Time. In Boise, I have time to create, time to connect. The cost of living is lower, so you can actually focus on your art instead of just surviving. And then there’s the landscape — the deserts, pine trees, mountains. There’s an “earth energy” here that deeply affects my songwriting.
Mundane Mag: Let’s talk about Day for Night. How did this project come to life?
Chelsea: It started as a collection of songs I was writing while moving from Portland to Boise. Some were written there, some here — I didn’t even realize until later how much they captured that transition. When Jake and I began working together, we chose the songs that felt thematically connected: travel, home, uncertainty, adventure.
Jake: We leaned into the moody ones. It wasn’t super planned — we tracked drums and bass live, then layered vocals and guitar. I had just gotten an old Juno synth and ended up putting it on almost every track. Chelsea’s background vocals added a whole new dimension. It was very much a “let’s see what happens” process that grew naturally.
Mundane Mag: Chelsea, your backing vocals are a defining layer in these songs. Who shaped you as a vocalist?
Chelsea: Joni Mitchell was my first obsession, along with Leonard Cohen — that combination of poetry and melody. Later, artists like Feist, Emily Haines, Beth Gibbons, Joanna Newsom. Singers with voices you instantly recognize, who twist language in new ways.
Mundane Mag: And Jake, your sonic palette?
Jake: Guitarists like Duane Eddy and Dick Dale, the surf stuff. Also The Cure’s Disintegration — droney synths over jangly guitars. I love Neil Young’s acoustic work. For me it’s about blending those worlds: surf, western, new wave, folk.
Mundane Mag: Your sound dips into Western, folk, indie — but some might call it retro. How do you feel about that label?
Chelsea: I’m not chasing trends, but I’m not a purist either. I’m drawn to classic forms, then I like to build on them. I want music that feels timeless — something that could be from the ’60s, 2000s, or today.
Jake: Honestly, I don’t think of Cactus Moon as retro. This is just what I was playing the day we recorded. Sometimes listeners project that lens, but for us it’s authentic expression.
Mundane Mag: Where did the name Cactus Moon come from?
Chelsea: I used to play under a different name in Portland, but when I moved here I wanted something new. Jake and I started playing shows, we needed a name, and the Western landscape kept coming up in my writing. The cactus, the moon — moody, shadowy, cinematic. That felt right.
Mundane Mag: Speaking of cinematic — your aesthetic feels very visual. How intentional is that?
Chelsea: I worked in indie film for years, so visuals are second nature. I often write like I’m scoring the movie in my head. Our photography and visuals are rooted in Idaho’s landscape — the mountains we hike, the rivers we sit by. It’s authentic to how we live.
Jake: For me it’s about space — leaving sonic room so you feel expansiveness, like standing on a mountain and seeing 80 miles out. I love Morricone’s Western soundtracks for that reason. Even if we’re not writing orchestral scores, I want listeners to see something when they hear us.
Mundane Mag: What’s next for Cactus Moon?
Chelsea: Our full album is streaming now and out on vinyl. We’re doing a release show at the Shrine in Boise. After that, more singles — two coming out on Halloween, leaning into our goth side. Probably more shows, maybe a tour. Sky’s the limit.
Mundane Mag: And what does the Boise music community mean to you?
Jake: Boise’s scene is diverse — punk, bluegrass, indie, country. It’s small enough that there’s space for everyone, but strong enough to push boundaries. Treefort and Duck Club have really put Boise on the map, with touring acts coming through constantly.
Chelsea: People here are open-minded, and that gives us freedom. We’re not confined to one tradition like Nashville’s pop-country bubble. Boise feels like a music city now — almost like what Austin might’ve felt like 20 years ago. There’s a sense that something is growing here, and we’re excited to be part of it.
