Blog for Brooke Trout

Fish Out of Water 10 Year Anniversary

2025-02-22T10:50:01-05:00

It's hard to believe it has already been ten years since the release of Brill's album Fish Out Of Water. Brill is an indie-alt-acoustic duet with Flat Cat Radio hosts and singer/songwriters Dave Strauss and Brooke Trout. The group released their debut album Fish Out Of Water on CDBaby as well as on iTunes. The album's first single "O Song" was featured on several programs including JVonD Radio in Boulder, CO, MuseBoat Radio in Las Vegas, NV, The Soupy Gato Show in The Netherlands with syndication in the UK and The Daily Dose on The Insomnia RadioNetwork. Fish Out Of Water has also been featured by Slacker Radio and Muzoic.com. You can check out music videos for Brill's O Song and Shine on Youtube.

Brill performed live in support of nonprofits including Foodshare and the San Fernando Valley Arts Council. Some highlights of their live performances included performing for chickens at the Adams Pack Station in the Glendora mountains as well as doing a gig on the historic Sunset Strip and even performing a few special Christmas shows with nothing but Christmas carols!

Thank you for supporting original music and independent musicians! Fish Out Of Water is available on most streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, CDBaby and more! You can also find us on social media at https://www.flatcatrecords.net/brill-social-media.html where we will be posting monthly updates this year celebrating our anniversary to include music videos, rare photos, original song lyrics and more!

Buzz For Brill:

"LOVE your original tunes. O Song sounds fantastic!" -Carrie

"I LOVE O Song. Sounds very heartfelt. Beautiful intro! Way to go!" -Jose

"Great job with your music! I absolutely love the sound of your band! The harmonies and acoustic instruments sound amazing!" -John

"If you have the chance to hear Brill you are in for a real treat! Awesome harmonies!" -Lori

"Great live show! Brill is the best!" -Annette Conlon, Host of NetteRadio

"Brill means little fish...and let me just say, these two have some SERIOUS guitar skills, and their voices have a beautiful blend" -Linda Geleris, Founder of Songnet

"I love the Brill duo! Beautiful sound all around. What a blast!" -Anthony

"For some reason I am reminded of Peter, Paul and Mary. Excellent!" -Lee

Holiday Stroll And Christmas Wrap

2024-11-29T20:55:42-05:00

Season's Greetings My Friends!

I have a lot of fun musical things to share for the month of December! I will be performing as a singing Christmas elf both with and without Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! Some of you may remember that I was a singing Christmas elf for Santa previously. It has been about 15 years since me and the Claus' crossed paths but fortunately we met at a party back in May and decided it would be a great idea to work together again! Since it had been so long they wanted me to audition so I prepared a set of about 11 songs, both finger-picked ballads and more upbeat strummed selections. When I arrived at their top-secret satellite location I was presented with a smorgasbord of candy corn (it is a vegetable), candy canes, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies (a proprietary recipe) and two types of syrup. Now I am only sharing this information, so you are aware of just how legitimate this meeting was!

So in terms of my appearances as an elf this year I first want to tell you about the Christmas Wrap held at the Kalispell Center Mall. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Kalispell Senior Center. You bring your presents and they will be gift wrapped for a donation of your choosing. I will be there as a singing Christmas elf to promote the event and will be doing periodic solo acoustic performances of Christmas songs from December 2nd through December 23rd. For more details check out the newsletter by yours truly on kalispellseniorcenter.com!

I'll also be appearing with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at the Downtown Kalispell Holiday Stroll & Annual Community Tree Lighting Celebration on December 6th from 5 to 8 p.m. Over 45 downtown businesses will be providing you with snacks, drinks, music and store-wide specials. I'll be walking up and down main street with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, passing out candy canes and singing Christmas carols. You also have to head down to Depot Park for the tree lighting ceremony where I'm told Santa will be giving a speech to start off the holiday season right! This is a free family event. You can vote for your favorite holiday store front by scanning the QR code at downtownkalispell.com.

I wish you all the happiest of holidays and all the best for the forthcoming new year!

KC Universal Presents Cash Life, New Personal Finance Series

2024-06-12T20:40:23-04:00

I'm excited to share my latest personal finance article for KCUniversal.net! It marks the first in a continuing personal finance series called Cash Life. My article is called Food For Thought...ful Spending and explores the connections between minimalism, healthy eating and frugality. You can find the article at the following link: https://kcuniversal.net/cash-life/posts/food-for-thought-ful-spending#google_vignette

So far, I have received a lot of positive feedback including this is a fun read, useful information and an important message. I hope that you find the article inspiring as well!

Kalispell Parkline Celebration

2022-08-21T21:51:52-04:00

Thank you to all who came out to celebrate the grand opening of the linear park and trail in Kalispell! I was so honored to get to be a part of this historic event thanks to Kalico Art Center and The Chamber of Commerce. For those of you who were unable to make it I was asked to create a series of interactive chalk drawings. My concept was to create different animal zones from around the world such as China, The Arctic, Australia and more with critters like alligators, polar bears and giraffes! I wove the drawings together with animal tracks and instructions so passersby could hop skip and jump their way along the trail. I had not had the opportunity to do a chalk drawing in four years so I felt like I was making up for lost time. I have ten years of experience as a chalk artist and previously was asked by the City of Fontana to create a chalk drawing for their Sounds of the Islands event about ten years ago. I enjoyed the Parkline experience, and it was really cool to be at the ribbon cutting where I got to hear all about our town when the railway first opened and the grand celebration they enjoyed which included roast beef sandwiches for all. I was actually interviewed by two tv stations and a local newspaper. My parents got a kick out of seeing me on tv. I basically wanted to encourage everyone to get out on the trail and enjoy being in the great outdoors! This is a great way to get out and explore our area and get some sunshine too! Thanks as always for your love and support!

Kalico Speckled Trout

2021-11-03T22:37:19-04:00

Over the past five months I have been volunteering for the community art center nonprofit Kalico located on the beautiful downtown Main Street in Kalispell, MT. As both a volunteer and member I have truly enjoyed the wide variety of arts that this center offers to the community at large. It has truly opened my eyes to the unlimited possibilities of arts and crafts. I have done everything from candle making and leather working to pottery sculpting and even trying completely fresh mediums like acrylic pouring.
On September 2nd I was invited to host a drink and draw event at Kalico. This event is held the first Thursday of every month. Guests are encouraged to bring their own beverage. On my first night hosting I decided we would draw with chalk pastels on watercolor paper with the theme of owls. I even shared some googly eyes for those who felt whimsical, and there was plenty of whimsy to be found. Probably one of the most unique owls was a baby Yoda!
I have also participated as a guest at a drink and draw for the month of October. We received many prompts on drawing ideas, all with a Halloween theme in mind. It was really fun making new friends and seeing familiar faces and we were having so much fun the time really flew by.
My next class that I'll be hosting will be a Saturday Session on November 13th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. These, again, are a regular event at Kalico, happening every weekend unless the class is cancelled due to poor attendance which I've found is extremely rare! I think really the reason behind that is there is such a wide variety of classes that are being offered. So don't be shy, come on down and participate!
On November 5th my painting Plata Y Oro will be in Kalico's Members Only exhibition. The show will run through January 29th of next year.
Finally you may have noticed that I have not posted in a while. I'm excited to be able to share with you what I've been up to recently and hope to see you soon. Thanks as always for your continued love and support!

20 in 2020

2020-01-23T20:04:03-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone! 2020 marks a very special milestone for me. I have now been a music journalist officially for 20 years! It all started with a review of a Beck concert. At the time I was working as a production assistant for the news station KCOY in Santa Maria, CA. I went to see Beck at the Santa Barbara Bowl. The next day I started reading my diary entry to everyone at work. I was encouraged by the news anchors, directors and producers to submit my entry to the local newspaper, The Santa Maria Times. To my surprise they published it and not only that asked me if I would be interested in writing music reviews for their arts and entertainment magazine “Venue.” I accepted and six months later they hired me on as staff! And so began my journey…Stay tuned through 2020 for my career highlights I’m so excited to share with you! For all the nostalgic reflections find me on https://www.facebook.com/brooke.trout.79
And if you haven’t done so already check out my facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Brooke-Trout-Fan-Page-143658752315707/ This is where you will get cartoons for 2020! Why? This year also marks the ten year anniversary of my cartoon book Currenthoughts published by Rain Dog Comics! I’ll be posting some flashbacks on how I came to be a cartoonist and may also return the weekly Sunday Funnie post you have come to enjoy!
And here are the latest music video reviews I have written for Hunnypot Unlimited:
Old Sport – Lightning Strikes My Spine: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/3158-old-sport-lighting-strikes-my-spine
Jackii Kennedy – Mine: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/3127-jackii-kennedy-mine
Mike Green – Honey: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/3084-mike-green-honey
Michete – Touch It: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2956-michete-touch-it
Brooke is an official part of The Soupy Gato Family so wants to spread the word that if you are a band that fits any of the following requirements: Liechtenstein Traditional of any country Folk Pagan Metal Meditate cool-crazy-weird (just have good sound) Make submissions to: For Mp3’s : soupygato [at] gmail [dot] com For CD’s send via snail mail to: Daniel J Harris Kesselloop 25 4813NS Breda The Netherlands

Networth Anniversary and Dishing on Eggs

2019-09-09T18:28:13-04:00

Its the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Its the third episode of Foodsotros where hosts Brooke Trout and Kris Caballero discuss all things eggs. Produced by the KC Universal Network for Showsotros.com. You can listen to the whole third episode here: https://podcasts.kcuniversal.net/foodsotros/episode-003-eggs
Thank you to all of you who are “tuning in” and listening to the show! We appreciate all of your comments and support:
“I was really impressed when you talked about all these different things you have tried. Different methods and different foods. You are total foodies!” -Beth, Maine
“You both sound very professional! I could easily see this show as a continuing series.!” -Susan, Vermont
“I enjoyed your podcast very much!” -Noah, Arizona
“Great fun!!” -Billy Sheppard, music critic (Rogue Radio, Idaho)
“I love getting tips from your show! Here is one from me: try scrambling your eggs with a bit of yogurt to make them extra-fluffy!” -Angela, California
If you didn’t know already this year is the ten year anniversary of the release of Brooke Trout’s second album “Networth” recorded with two bands, The Anchormen and The Treble Hooks. You can get all the goodies at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Brooke-Trout-Fan-Page-143658752315707/ This is where you will get updates including fliers, photographs, lyrics, rare live audio tracks, videos, art work and more!
Brooke is an official part of The Soupy Gato Family so wants to spread the word that if you are a band that fits any of the following requirements: Liechtenstein Traditional of any country Folk Pagan Metal Meditate cool-crazy-weird (just have good sound) Make submissions to: For Mp3’s : soupygato [at] gmail [dot] com For CD’s send via snail mail to: Daniel J Harris Kesselloop 25 4813NS Breda The Netherlands

Chili Beans, Supermen and Fashion Slayers

2019-05-26T22:21:55-04:00

Its the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Its the second episode of Foodsotros where hosts Brooke Trout and Kris Caballero discuss all things chili. Produced by the KC Universal Network for Showsotros.com. You can listen to the whole second episode here: https://podcasts.kcuniversal.net/foodsotros/episode-002-chili

If you liked the show why not try out the recipe? Here is a link to creamy white bean and apple chili from Brooke’s favorite crock pot cooking website: https://www.ayearofslowcooking.com/2008/09/creamy-white-bean-and-apple-chili.html

Want to sing along? Check out the lyrics to Brooke’s song parody here: http://brooketrout.com/2019/05/chili-bean-song-parody/

Thank you to all of you who are “tuning in” and listening to the show! We appreciate all of your comments and support:

“You both sound very professional! I could easily see this show as a continuing series.!” -Susan, Vermont

“I loved the show! Your song ‘Chili Jean’ was definitely my favorite part – it was really good!” -Natalie, West Virginia

“I love the chili talk! Fun!” -Alec, Iowa

“Loved the song! It keeps going through my head. LOL! You should do a song for every episode!” -Jack, Arizona

“Love the podcast and the Chili Jean King pictures!” -Ryan, Michigan

“OMG just listened to your podcast! I was cracking up laughing while driving as you sang Chili Jean! Loved it! PS: I love chunky chili too!” -Matthew, Texas

“Great fun!” -Billy Sheppard, music critic (Rogue Radio, ID)

Recently Brooke has written two new music video reviews for Hunnypot Radio. Check out “Fashion Slayer,” one of the funkiest, freshest tracks Brooke has heard in the last full calendar year. See also a special announcement of Lupa’s latest track “Life”:

Where to read:
Heritage’s “Fashion Slayer:” https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2881-he-itage-fashion-slayer

Lupa’s Life: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2936-lupa-live-official-video

Brooke’s true labor of love is her continuing series Movie vs Comic for Showsotros.com. This month’s edition is all about “All Star Superman”!

Where to read:
All-Star Superman Review: https://comicbooksotros.showsotros.com/talk-about-comics/movie-vs-comic-all-star-superman

Brooke is an official part of The Soupy Gato Family so wants to spread the word that if you are a band that fits any of the following requirements: Liechtenstein Traditional of any country Folk Pagan Metal Meditate cool-crazy-weird (just have good sound) Make submissions to: For Mp3’s : soupygato [at] gmail [dot] com For CD’s send via snail mail to: Daniel J Harris Kesselloop 25 4813NS Breda The Netherlands

Foodsotros, Hunnypot and The Joker…

2019-03-25T22:38:31-04:00

Some of you may remember Brooke Trout was a cohost of Flat Cat Radio. She is happy to announce that she is once again making her foray into the world of podcasting with a food-centric show, Foodsotros, produced by the KC Universal Network for Showsotros.com. Our first episode covers the likes of no less than Spam, hamburgers and PBS cooking shows! You can listen to the full first podcast here: https://podcasts.kcuniversal.net/foodsotros/episode-001-spam-burgers-public-tv-cooking-shows

If you liked the show why not try out Brooke’s recipe for Crockpot Black Eyed Peas!

CROCKPOT BLACK EYED PEAS
Ingredients:
1/2 can of low sodium spam, diced
8 oz dried black eyed peas
1 sweet onion, cut in four pieces
1 can beef broth
1/2 tbsp. bay leaves
1/2 tbsp. oregano

Add all ingredients to a crockpot and use the beef broth can to add a can of water to the mix. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Fish out the onion pieces as they are only meant to flavor the dish. Serve hot with a side of cornbread! Enjoy!

Thank you to all of you who are “tuning in” and listening to the show! We appreciate all of your comments and support:
“Love the podcast! I’m going to pass it on to other friends.” -Mark, New York
“I really enjoyed the show! I used to watch so many cooking shows with my mom. I knew every one you were talking about!” -Kat, California
“I like how you talk about food and nostalgia!” -Kathy, Montana
“Great job! I enjoyed it. Gotta get me some spam! So glad you did this. Can’t wait for the next one!” -Jose, California
“So proud of you (both)!” -Trina, Oregon
“Your podcast was fun!” -Amy, California
“Pretty good overall. You basically rock! Just kind of got me excited about food by the happiness in your voice(s).” -Ric, California

Recently Brooke has written a few more music video reviews for Hunnypot Radio including Michete’s “Yum Yum Big Slurp,” Lauren Rocket’s “Diamond Nights” and Satica’s “Miss Yr High.” Also check out the link for Lupa’s single, “Don’t Fail Me Now”:

Where to read:
Lupa’s “Don’t Fail Me Now:” https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/archive/random-fun/item/2835-lupa-don-t-fail-me-now-single-pick
Michete’s “Yum Yum Big Slurp: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2846-michete-yum-yum-big-slurp
Lauren Rocket’s “Diamond Nights”: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2854-lauren-rocket-diamond-nights
Satica’s “Miss Yr High”: Coming Soon!

Brooke’s true labor of love is her continuing series Movie vs Comic for Showsotros.com. This month’s edition is all about the Joker with The Killing Joke which you can read here: https://comicbooksotros.showsotros.com/talk-about-comics/movie-vs-comic-the-killing-joke

Brooke is an official part of The Soupy Gato Family so wants to spread the word that if you are a band that fits any of the following requirements: Liechtenstein Traditional of any country Folk Pagan Metal Meditate cool-crazy-weird (just have good sound) Make submissions to: For Mp3’s : soupygato [at] gmail [dot] com For CD’s send via snail mail to: Daniel J Harris Kesselloop 25 4813NS Breda The Netherlands

The Crow, Drop Dead Fred and more reviews…

2018-12-21T22:11:12-05:00

First and foremost, Happy Holiday Best Wishes from the Trout!

This month Brooke has written two more pieces for Hunnypot Radio including reviews of King Henry and Laroussi music videos.
Read them here:
King Henry’s What About Me: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2785-king-henry-what-about-me
Laroussi’s Lost: https://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/video-picks/item/2802-laroussi-lost

Brooke’s true labor of love is her continuing series Movie vs Comic for Showsotros.com. Brooke got the greatest comment last month on her Watchmen piece, “Wow, very intensive, thoughtful analysis and I was intrigued by the imagery…”

This month’s edition is all about The Crow which you can read here: https://comicbooksotros.showsotros.com/talk-about-comics/movie-vs-comic-the-crow

You can also catch her dvd review for Showsotros.com of the late great Drop Dead Fred film: https://showsotros.com/dvd-reviews/drop-dead-fred

If you are still keeping up Brooke is also revisiting her college years in her zine “Hooked” in a Tumblr retrospective at http://retrohooked.tumblr.com/! We’re almost to the end of the run with 96 issues!

Brooke is an official part of The Soupy Gato Family so wants to spread the word that if you are a band that fits any of the following requirements: Liechtenstein Traditional of any country Folk Pagan Metal Meditate cool-crazy-weird (just have good sound) Make submissions to: For Mp3’s : soupygato [at] gmail [dot] com For CD’s send via snail mail to: Daniel J Harris Kesselloop 25 4813NS Breda The Netherlands