Trail Listening Post

Mike Smith talks with Mike Emmons, Artistic Director of the Montana Film Festival, about the festival’s 12th annual lineup and the films coming to Missoula. From a 50th-anniversary 35mm screening of The Missouri Breaks to Marc Maron’s dark comedy In Memoriam, the conversation explores standout features, Montana-made films, and the “Micro-Budget Missoula” short-film block showcasing local creativity. Mike Emmons also highlights The Chronovisor, Drinking and Driving, and Baby Love, along with visiting filmmakers, opening-night festivities, and the festival’s special community atmosphere at the Roxy Theater. Explore the lineup and plan your festival weekend at MontanaFilmFestival.org.

Mike Smith welcomes Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and Montana congressional candidate Sam Forstag to The Trail 103.3 for a wide-ranging conversation about the issues facing Montana’s working families and the future of the state’s public lands. Forstag discusses his campaign’s focus on making housing, healthcare, and childcare more affordable, protecting Social Security and retirement security, and rebuilding the Forest Service after significant staffing cuts. He also shares his opposition to unchecked corporate money in politics, his support for campaign finance reform and Montana ballot initiatives, and his call for Congress to reassert its constitutional role in decisions about war. Drawing on his experience as a smokejumper and his work with the Forest Service, Forstag makes the case for investing in public lands, wildfire prevention, and the people who manage them. Ament adds his perspective on Montana’s agricultural communities, the challenges facing family farms, and the importance of elected officials listening to the people they represent. Together, Ament and Forstag discuss what’s at stake for Montana’s future and why listening to working people matters.

On this episode, Mike Smith talks with Chris Hightower of Missoula Aging Services about Medicare Open Enrollment, running October 15 through December 7. Chris explains why it’s important to review Medicare coverage each year, how prescription drug plans and provider networks can change, and what to consider when comparing Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. He also discusses the work of Missoula Aging Services, including Meals on Wheels and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which connects people with free, unbiased Medicare counseling. If you have questions about your coverage or need help navigating your options, learn more at MissoulaAgingServices.org 

On this episode, Mike Smith sits down with Julia Sherman, Executive Director of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and Greg Ragan, the festival’s board president, to talk about the power of documentary filmmaking and the importance of bringing independent films to the Missoula community. They discuss Little Feat: The Documentary, the festival’s ongoing Big Sky Doc Film Series at the Roxy, and the role local partnerships, including support from Ear Candy, play in making these screenings possible. Plus, they look ahead to upcoming screenings, including Nuisance Bear on November 10 and a December 8 showcase of fan-favorite short films featuring Boys of Summer, Community Theater, and Sally’s Ashes. Tune in for a conversation about film, storytelling, and keeping documentary cinema accessible right here in Missoula.

Mike Smith sits down with University of Montana filmmaking graduates Jozlyn Baumann and Sophia Casey to talk about their short zombie film, Until Your Last Breath, featured at the Montana Film Festival. Jozlyn, the film’s writer and director, and Sophia, its assistant director and co-producer, share how they got their start in filmmaking, the creative process behind bringing their story to life, and the original score and zombie makeup that helped shape the film.

The conversation also explores the sense of community among Montana filmmakers and the excitement of seeing local work on the big screen. Catch Until Your Last Breath at the Roxy Theater on October 24 at 2:45 p.m. or October 25 at 5 p.m., with Q&A panels following the screenings. Find festival details at MontanaFilmFestival.org.

Mike Smith welcomes Aubrey Nilsen and Candice Rhea, organizers of the Zootown Witchwalk, for a conversation about friendship, community, creativity, and the origins of this uniquely Missoula tradition.

The Witchwalk began in 2021 as a small neighborhood gathering and has grown into a free, all-ages, all-genders community event. Aubrey and Candice talk about how it started, what the idea of a “witch” means to them, and why the event is ultimately about creating a welcoming space where people can gather, have fun, be themselves, and spread a little joy.

They also discuss the Witchwalk’s downtown route, accessibility, the importance of being kind and looking out for one another, the annual after-party at the Union Club, this year’s DJs and local contributors, and some of the wonderfully unexpected ways people have participated over the years.

Plus, there’s plenty of laughter, a few stories about the event’s early days, and an invitation to join the walk and embrace the season of the witch in Missoula.

Parker Peddicord joins Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney to talk about the band’s more than three decades of music, their roots in Olympia, Washington’s influential punk and feminist music scene, and what it’s like to keep evolving while staying true to their own creative instincts.

Brownstein discusses Sleater-Kinney’s current tour with Liz Phair, the challenge and excitement of playing for audiences who may be discovering the band for the first time, and how the group approaches building a setlist from a catalog that spans more than 10 albums. She also reflects on the band’s early days in Olympia, the importance of the community and DIY culture that surrounded them.

The conversation explores the musical chemistry between Brownstein and Corin Tucker, how Sleater-Kinney’s sound has changed from its early guitar-and-drums recordings through albums like Dig Me Out, All Hands on the Bad One, The Woods, and No Cities to Love, and why the band continues to embrace new sounds rather than simply recreate the past.

Brownstein also answers a few quick questions, revealing the authors she’d stock in Portlandia's feminist bookstore, the album that recently altered her brain, what continues to inspire her, and the advice she’d give to musicians trying to find their own voice.

A wide-ranging conversation with one of the defining voices of American indie rock.

In this episode, Tommy Evans talks with Rosie La Secco and Duane Raider about Punk Rock Speed Dating. This unique Missoula event brings together music lovers, newcomers, longtime locals, and like-minded weirdos looking to connect.

Now in its third iteration, Punk Rock Speed Dating combines quick, low-pressure conversations with live music and burlesque at Monks. Rosie and Duane explain how the event grew out of a desire to build community, and why the connections made there don’t have to be romantic. You might meet a potential partner, a new friend, or someone to head to your next show with.

The conversation also explores Montana’s punk and alternative music scene, the work of Weird Montana Records, and efforts to preserve the history of loud, strange, and independent music being made around the state. Rosie and Duane also preview other upcoming projects, including Show and Tell, Kinky Bingo, and plans for a larger festival.

Punk Rock Speed Dating takes place Friday at Monks, with doors at 6 PM and the show beginning at 7 PM, featuring multiple rounds of speed dating, burlesque performances, and live bands including Corey Faye and the Good God Dam and Stuck Up. Check it out and find your new friend... or something more! 

Mike Smith welcomes Susie Elliott and Carrie Richer of Open Air MT to the Trail studio to talk about the organization’s work supporting artists through place-based residencies across Montana. They discuss how Open Air brings together musicians, writers, visual artists, performers, and other creatives, giving them time and space to explore how Montana’s places influence their work.

The conversation also highlights Susie’s own work as an artist, including her patchwork clothing and live sewing pop-ups, and Carrie's work creating dance films. Open Air has two exciting events coming up! 

First up is First Friday at The Florence, where Open Air will showcase artwork from its fundraiser and give visitors a chance to see pieces that will be part of the organization’s online auction. The First Friday gathering takes place Friday from 5–8 p.m. at The Florence in downtown Missoula.

Then, on Sunday, September 13, Open Air brings back its popular Mini Golf fundraiser, this year at Bonner Park. The event runs 10 a.m.–7 p.m., with live music and a block party from noon–7 p.m. The course features 18 main holes plus a five-hole, all-ages “Lazy River” course, for 23 holes of artist-created mini golf. Food, beverages, and non-alcoholic options will also be available.

The Open Air auction is already underway and culminates during the September 13 Mini Golf event. Proceeds support Open Air and the participating artists.

Learn more about Open Air MT, its artist residencies, workshops, programming, and upcoming events at openairmt.org.

Missoula musicians Josh Farmer and Kyle Curtis stop by Trail 103.3 ahead of their performance at the Western Montana Fair for a conversation about songwriting, collaboration, and what keeps them inspired. Josh reflects on nearly two decades in Missoula's music scene, from his early bands to building a career as one of the area's most recognizable singer-songwriters, while Kyle shares how he found his own balance as a working musician and piano technician.

The duo also performs two original songs live in the studio, including Josh's unreleased track "Oxygen" from his upcoming album and Kyle's witty, heartfelt original, "It's Your Fault You Fell in Love With Me," written for his wife on their wedding day. Along the way, they discuss the value of making music in Montana, collaborating with fellow artists, and why creating a meaningful life can be just as rewarding as chasing fame.

If you love local music, great stories, and intimate live performances, this is an episode you won't want to miss.