Held By Trees

Held By Trees
Held By Trees performing in Cambridge in 2023
Held By Trees performing in Cambridge in 2023
Background information
Genres
Years active2021–present
Members
Past members

Held By Trees are an English instrumental post rock project, founded by multi-instrumentalist David Joseph. The groups main influence is Talk Talk and Mark Hollis, specifically the albums The Colour Of Spring (1986), Spirit Of Eden (1988), Laughing Stock (1991), as well as Mark Hollis (1998).[1]

The project was founded by Joseph during the first COVID-19 lockdown, he had previously collaborated with guitarist Tim Renwick who introduced him to Talk Talk audio engineer Phill Brown, who then got him in contact with percussionist Martin Ditcham, another Talk Talk associate.[1] Through studio owner Steve Smith, he was also put in contact with guitarist Robbie McIntosh, an associate of Talk Talk, Paul McCartney and the Pretenders.[1] The two then reached out to pianist Lawrence Pendrous, woodwind player Andy Panayi (both of whom played on Mark Hollis), and to late era Talk Talk bassist Simon Edwards. They all agreed to join the project.[1]

The group released their first EP, Solace, in April 2022.[2] It featured Joseph, McIntosh, Ditcham, Pendrous, Panayi, Edwards, Renwick, David Knopfler, Eric Bibb and Gary Alesbrook among others.[2]

When the group started touring, they consisted of Joseph, McIntosh, Pendrous and Panayi, as well as bassist James Grant and drummer Paul Beavis.[3] The group has since recorded two live albums, Solace ~ Live at Real World Studios, featuring the usual touring group.[4]

The group have also released a second EP, Eventide in September 2023, which features songs not recorded for Solace and was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.[5] and features guests Grant Howard (Hammond organ, Wurlitzer piano, synths) and Matt Gainsford (additional guitar pad on "Grow Dark").[6]

In 2024, the group teamed up with vocalist Martin Smith and guitarist Stuart Gerrard, both formerly of Delirious?, and recorded a new self titled EP,[7] also featuring Grant Howard (Hammond organ, synth), Daniel Newberry (saxophone), Ryan Rich (synth bass), Anita Tatlow (vocals).[8] The group also played two live dates with Smith in November 2024.[7]

Members

Current
  • David Joseph – guitar, piano, occasional vocals (2021–present)
  • Robbie McIntosh – guitar (2021–present)
  • Lawrence Pendrous – piano, keyboards (2021–present)
  • Andy Panayi – flute, saxophone, clarinet (2021–present)
  • James Grant – double bass, bass (2022–present)
  • Paul Beavis – drums (2022–present)
Former
  • Martin Ditcham – drums, percussion (2021–2022)
  • Simon Edwards – bass, double bass (2021–2022)

Discography

EPs

  • Solace (2022)
  • Eventide (2023)
  • Held By Trees & Martin Smith (2024) with Martin Smith

Singles

  • "Next to Silence" (2021)
  • "In the Trees" (2021)
  • "Lay Your Troubles Down" (2024)

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Talk Talk veterans team up on inspired post-rock project". Prog. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Solace, by Held By Trees". bandcamp. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  3. ^ Vigezzi, Jacopo (30 November 2022). "[News] Held By Trees announce new UK live dates for January 2023". Progressive Rock Journal. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Solace ~ Live at Real World Studios, by Held By Trees". bandcamp. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Held By Trees Leaves the Lyrics Behind to Offer Listeners a Liberating Experience in the Project's Two Forthcoming EPs". spin. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Eventide, by Held By Trees". Held By Trees. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b Ewing, Jerry (3 July 2024). "Held By Trees team up with vocalist Martin Smith for new EP". louder. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Held By Trees & Martin Smith, by Held By Trees, Martin Smith". bandcamp. Retrieved 16 November 2024.