Endearing as Forest Gump’s most quoted ism may be - I disagree. I don’t think that “Life is like a box of chocolates.” And while we may never know exactly what we’re “gonna get” ... to me, life is like Climbing Trees (#ilanameanstree after all).
Naturally, the perfect soundtrack always helps to enhance the journey and inform our ascent. And who better to light the way of life’s climb than a band called, Climbing Trees?! A few months ago, while promoting a music festival called Mondo.NYC, I came across these boys and their new single “Fall”. Upon my first listen I did just that, I fell (into a full swoon). Such an interesting dichotomy between a band focused on Climbing and their single called “Fall” but that’s the push-me-pull-you kind of philosophical polarity that infuses our lives with the best kind of thorough and sometimes confusing life affirming epiphanies.
Climbing Trees are a 4 piece, multitalented and self propelled band from Pontypridd, South Wales. They are comprised of Matthew Frederick (piano/guitar/vocals), Colenso Jones (guitar/bass/vocals), Martin Webb (guitar/bass/vocals) and James Bennetts (drums/vocals).
Not only are the Trees true indie rockers, produced on Matthew’s own record label (Staylittle Music) but they’ve even coined their own genre: Cymrucana (come-ree-cana 👉🏼 Auto-Correct be damned). Cymrucana is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the rootsy, heartfelt, and emotionally driven amalgamation of “Americana” tinted music, played with the lush rolling hills of Wales (Cymru) in heart + the warm Welsh accent on the lips. Like a ride through the countryside in back of a pickup truck with your friends on a warm and balmy summer’s gloam.
After the festival was over, and everyone’s roots settled back into their forest floor, Climbing Trees’s Matthew Frederick and I decided to attempt our first ever FaceTime interview. Using satellites to beam us across “the pond” connecting NY to South Wales we had 2 lovely conversations, full of philosophy, laughter and a good sincere connection.
I promise...
Only 2 problems (sigh):
1. Though our personal connection was clear, the recording of our spotty inter-web connection was reminiscent of how I imagine some of the very first ever phone calls to have sounded. Not. Good.
2. The second of our conversations didn’t record, like, at all... and after reading through some excerpts of the “33 1/3” series, I laughed at myself while realizing that this “error of firsts” was actually happening to me.
Kinda like falling off the first of your Climbing Trees... and here we are. (Insert poetic life lessons about Climbing Trees with the inevitable skinned knees - here).
Technical boo-boos aside, our very lovely chinwag did indeed accomplish a goal shared by myself, Matthew and the rest of the Trees: we became friends. See, Matthew describes the Trees growth as “A gradual climb” (of course), “building connections and real relationships with fans, each other and members of the industry” as they go. If you ever purchase any of their music or merch online (TREE-ts), you will likely receive a hand written note of appreciation from Matthew himself, nestled amongst your purchases (and in my case, a new middle name to boot 🙂).
It’s these very connections between people that helps the Trees music to bloom and grow. Regarding the difference between writing music solo and writing with the band, Matthew waxed poetic.
“Thats one of the things I love about working with the band. Its having this little idea to start, and then going through the process of working on it with the band. Then going into the studio and recording and it keeps growing... like the nature of the child. Growing up from a little seed and eventually being able to walk and talk on it’s own, fully grown.”
In terms of the Trees strong connection to their beloved fans, Matthew continues, “I check our Spotify stream to see who has been listening to our music and from what country. It’s amazing because, I think of us primarily as a UK band but, there really are no such boundaries anymore. It’s always cool to think that strangers from the other side of the world are being effected and moved by our songs.”
And, we certainly are 🤘🏼❤️.
Join the Climb, and prepare to feel the kind of steady warmth associated with a long chat to a good friend (even when the web connection is spotty). Climbing Trees brilliant wordless instrumentals are the life charged silences we often speak when words just aren’t enough. Their lyrics often explain our deepest, and most sapling thoughts. Yes, it’s Swoon at its finest and warmest.
Listen, melt, repeat.
Cymru am byth 🏴!
❤️
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“River Home” off the boys debut release Hebron
Beautful pared down spot on harmonies from these two Camrycana Cats - “Middle” live at Globetrotters Bar in Pontypridd. ‘14. Filmed by Richard Watts for Artifact Multimedia.
Also from Borders, “Fall” is Climbing Trees latest contribution to the musiverse. Heard here as the beautiful backing to a montage of 35 short films that competed for the 2017 Iris Prize this past October in Cardiff, Wales.