Thrive Magazine calls Brandon Follett the twenty-first century's answer to the Renaissance Man for his involvement in a wide variety of creative projects spanning poetry, photography, stand-up comedy, acting, music, omelet reviews, spoken word, travel writing, and documentary filmmaking. His body of work is "The Mental Foreplay Experience." His creative endeavors are so unique that perhaps the best way to describe his art is under the umbrella of "Follettry."
In 2004, Brandon found bliss when he quit his corporate job to work at the independently-owned Flying M Coffee House in downtown Boise, since he finds more satisfaction in stimulating conversation and a rotating art display than a 401K. Just a year into his barista career, Brandon was named "Boise's Best Barista" in Boise Weekly's Best of Boise 2005, for the following reason: "How is it possible that the best barista is also the best karaoke guy/poet/poster-child for emo fashion? Brandon Follett is all of these things, and you can catch his coffee making skills at the Flying M Coffee House. Where other baristas tend to be surly, snotty or just crappy at pulling shots, Brandon is so smooth he looks like he's on skates behind the counter. He also moonlights at Neurolux, and we're pretty sure he's the only karaoke maestro to a take a call on his cell phone in the middle of setting up our own Amy Atkins' homage to Patsy Kline. And his poetry is one spicy meatball. Brandon, if you're reading this, run for Governor...please."
In addition to Brandon Follett's live performances and latte art, he has written and published many poems, including four poetry chapbooks in the Mental Foreplay for the Classics series. In 2002, Wolf Peach Press published a hand-bound chapbook of Follett's poetry, subtitled "Always Remember when the Heart is Cold the Bladder is full of Warmth."
Also in the Mental Foreplay for the Classics series, Follett's latest chapbook subtitled "A Brief Memoir of Veronica" is distributed by North West Zine Works. Travis Catsull of Haggard and Halloo Publications offers the following review: "Simply put, we could use more poetry like this. Brandon succeeds in delivering sexy and utterly clever poems that arouse the mind, bend the heart and entertain with unique and confident humor. A Brief Memoir of Veronica is a dynamic (and eventually sad) story told thru a series of wit and wander. A certain adventure for lovers of poetry and those who've never read a poem in their life."
In 2006, Brandon Follett and Amy Johnson created Earthworm Envy, focusing on short films and omelet reviews. Their films are mini travel documentaries that are one to five minutes in length, highlighting everyday people and places from a unique perspective, and with original music by Brandon Follett. Their omelet reviews are primarily social and political commentary including travel tidbits and at least some mention of an omelet.
Short Films and Omelet Reviews
Brandon Follett's Website