ABOUT CACTUS MOON

Cactus Moon is a Boise-based western folk duo formed by singer-songwriter Chelsea Smith and multi-instrumentalist/producer Freeman DeJongh, blending exceptional lyricism, analog warmth, and groove-driven instrumentation into a sound that feels both nostalgic and boldly modern. With roots in Portland’s psych rock scene and the West Coast country circuit, Cactus Moon sits at the forefront of a rising wave of artists redefining the Boise sound with a lush, cinematic soundscape that fuses folkloric storytelling and guitar-driven textures. 

Cactus Moon’s debut album, Day For Night (out August 2025), channeled themes of illusion, emotional duality, and creative resilience, inspired by the filmic technique of simulating nighttime in broad daylight. Smith, also a filmmaker and longtime former Director of Treefort Music Festival’s Filmfort, brings beguiling vocals and introspective lyricism to the project, while DeJongh—whose credits span over 75 recent releases—adds a signature instrumental depth. With a genre-bending sound that evokes the melodious folk jams you might hear while frequenting the corner saloon on a full moon night, Cactus Moon invites listeners into an irresistible world that feels both familiar and just a little bit surreal.