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Matthew, Noah, Tad and Michael weren't really a "band", exactly, when they began work on what would become the Fort Music EP, which saw a self-release widely supported through the Coalition Of Independent Music Stores in spring, 2008. They were longtime friends and had played around Boston in various configurations for years, but when they gathered in Dec '06 to record some new songs of Michael's there were no grand plans to see through or deadlines to meet. They had an engineer friend and a couple hundred bucks and some notions about maybe making some back to basics rock and roll. As Michael puts it, "these days, the only way forward is backward." Luckily for everyone, that approach seemed to work just fine, and after two weeks in an Allston, MA basement they had Fort Music all wrapped up and, more importantly, were most definitely a band.

These modest beginnings play out in the The Dead Trees' music in the best way - there's no artifice here, not much "production" to speak of, just a bunch of good musicians doing what comes naturally on a batch of deceptively elegant songs. Two guitars, background vocals here and there, a manic drum fill when necessary. It all feels easy and right. Says Michael: "We don't deprive any of our songs. They're like our children, all different and each as important as the next. We're just borrowing from our heroes and trying to raise a family."

Since those basement sessions things have happened pretty fast – the band sent some CDs around, and next thing you know The Dead Trees were supporting Albert Hammond, Jr. on a national tour, did The House Of Blues in LA, Webster Hall in NYC, just about burned down the Metro in Chicago, and abandoned a broken down van somewhere in Iowa. There were showcases at Spaceland and Mercury Lounge and interest at labels was piqued. Now being represented by the management duo of Bryna Gootkind (Melissa Ferrick, Port O'Brien) and Ryan Gentles (The Strokes, Albert Hammond, Jr.), they've relocated to Portland, Oregon where they set to work on their debut LP, King Of Rosa.

The band plan on touring in support of King Of Rosa throughout the fall/winter of 2008, and into 2009.

Listen:
The Dead Trees - "Shelter" (mp3)

Labels: The Dead Trees