Held By Trees | |
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 Held By Trees performing in Cambridge in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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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]
Contents
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 Laurence 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 album, Solace, in April 2022, charting on the indie and physical sales charts in the UK. [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 (formerly of David's previous bands BOSH and Chaos Curb) and drummer Paul Beavis (Andy Fairweather-Low and Robbie McIntosh Band). [3] The group has since recorded two live albums, Solace ~ Live at Real World Studios and Live in the Field, featuring the usual touring group. [4]
The group have also released a second EP, Eventide in September 2023, which features pieces written in the rehearsals for their first live dates, as well as improvised compositions, 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]
Held By Trees released their second full LP, Hinterland, in April 2025, returning to their instrumental sound. The album features many of the core musicians from previous releases but includes Charlie Hollis, son of Mark Hollis, on piano on four pieces. Also contributing parts; Rob Coombes of Supergrass, Matt Simms of Wire, Norman Westberg of Swans, Robert Poss of Band of Susans, Simon Scott of Slowdive, Mark Simnett, formerly of Bark Psychosis, and Simone Marie Butler of Primal Scream. The album explores themes of ambiguity and is more ambient and also more heavy than their largely pastoral debut.