Without Fear of Wind or Vertigo…Aristocratic Splendor Gone to Seed!
bar•on [bar-uh n] – noun. A specific title of nobility. A person who possesses great power or influence. Origin: Frankish baro and Middle English beorn meaning "freeman, warrior, nobleman.”
Barons in Trees is an experimental indie-folk group of leading Portland musicians led by songwriter Kyle Lange. Lange, whose music is akin to the songwriting and compositional styles of Joni Mitchell and Jeff Buckley, recently moved from New York City drawn in part by the pulse of the Portland music scene.
Barons in Trees creates a nostalgic blend of indie, folk, and classical music. With influences that conjure Paul Simon, a hint of Sufjan Stevens and a dash of DeVotchKa, their unique polyphonic sound is just the kind of performance for which Portland’s musical palette yearns.
Barons in Trees’ music and live shows are proficient and performative, with no small amount of whimsy. This capable group comes together with extensive and varied stylistic experience from other groups with roots in Portland and throughout the country. The Barons draw from west coast jazz, modern classical, beatboxing, folk, and Americana. Because these styles have different means of collaboration, each member brings a unique voice to the conversation of music.
The name of the band takes inspiration from the novel by magical realist Italo Calvino entitled The Baron in the Trees. In the story, a young boy, Cosimo, altogether decides that he has had enough: of family, of his proper role in society, of decorum, and literally, the ground. He escapes to the trees. An eventually self-sufficient Cosimo finds that the more he tries to remove himself, the more he affects those below - thus drawing people closer to him. His idealized lifestyle and philosophy leads others to aspire to a life they had not thought possible for themselves. Barons in Trees fell in love with Cosimo’s sentiment and strive to create the musical equivalent of an artistic life in the trees.
Barons in Trees is:
Kevin Jackson (cello)
Karen Lange (keyboards, clarinet)
Kyle Lange (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, beatboxing)
Tim Renner (bass, vocals)
Michael Swanson (electric guitar)
Robin Way (percussion)
Band member bios can be found in the Blog section (click here).
PR Consultant: Nicole A. Lane, nicolealane@comcast.net The Art of Sharing
Marketing & Public Relations
Brand Development
Photos: Tree photos: Ericka Heidrick 2007, erickaheidrick.com Alberta Street Pub photos: Nat Bourne 2007
Backyard concert photos: Justin Rose / Melissa Sanders 2008
Bird Illustrations: Karen Lange
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Thursday, April 23rd at Mississippi Pizza, 6 pm. Another flyer by Justin Rose!
NEW EP NOW AVAILABLE!
Barons in Trees EP
1. Song 97
2. City of Stones
3. Things I Think About When I'm Not Listening to You
4. Women of the Homefront
Recorded by Mike Kelly & Tim Renner at Eastside Recordings, Portland, Oregon (2007)
Design by Karen Lange. Handcrafted using 100% recycled paper sleeve. We love our trees!
TO PURCHASE: EPs will be available at all live shows for $5. Individual tracks are available online through Snocap (near the top of the page). To order a copy by mail, please email baronsintrees@gmail.com with your address and we'll happily send it to you. Add $1 for shipping.
Check out our new Album: Resist Temptation Available on Amazon. com and iTunes. com Now!! Gypsy Jazz at it's finest. Consists of new original songs and amazing cover songs by the likes of The Band, Velvet Underground, Tom Waits, Steely Dan and more!
It's a rainy day in New York City...the perfect day for Barons in Trees to permeate my cubicle sound space. (My cube neighbor just said, "Great music over there, Kelli Rae!") Love you guys!
Kyle, Thank you for the post and the add. I forgot to mention how great your vocals sound...I'm dating myself here but In some ways, in terms of your vocal signature and laid back style reminds me of Michael Franks in the early (good) days, and I mean that as a compliment. All very listenable stuff here obviously all great players spartan and tasty ensemble work indeed never stepping on each other. Please let me know if your ever gigging in New York. Peace, Chris Kubie
Hey K&K!! So great to meet you guys at the PCP show this last week! I really enjoyed your work, and hope to catch you as soon as possible-- Produce Row?
