Familiar Trees is not technically a "band", however, banded by the songs that come through them. It is a recording project, live performances are few and far between. We are filters and love to record, believe in quality not quantity and we take our time to insure our songs are produced in a natural and unforced manner. Thank you for listening and sharing with your friends.
Musicians featured on familiar trees recordings (so far) include: Joel O'Neill (bass), Devin McNulty (bass clarinet), Shaun Darius Gottlieb (cello) , Jason Golday (guitar) , Davin Givhan (guitar), Tolga Yenilmez (percussion), Ryan Francesconi (guitar)
Lyrics for Nameless, Discreet Robots (most) & From Clay by M. Miyahara
Music composed, recorded and produced by Ken Negrete.
Influences
now, life, love, trees!
Sounds Like
Familiar Trees EP (cd in handmade felt pocket + leaf stitching) available at CDBABY & timereleaserecords.com / songs also @iTunes.
aural art, echoes of cocteau twins, bjork, shelleyan orphan, his name is alive, mum, hope sandoval (mazzy star), slowdive, Karen Peris (innocence mission), Mohave 3, Stina Nordenstam, Carrie, Juana Molina, Azure Ray, Sundays, Carpet Musics, Colleen, Aarktica, Angele David-Guillon (Piano Magic), Estelle (Elephant Parade). . . so we are told, what do you think? let us know.
Familiar Trees released their debut self-titled EP (limited edition) in October 2005 which featured a blend of acoustic (cello, bass clarinet, guitars, piano, brushed drums) arrangements combined with subtle electronics.
"Blending indie pop sensibilities with folk and ambient soundscapes, Familiar Trees is the dreamiest EP to be released in recent memory. Sustained keyboards, subdued acoustic guitars and crystalline, breathy female vocals flow throughout this mesmerizing collection of six pieces. Beautiful in every aspect, this EP comes in a hand-sewn cloth pouch." -Seldom Heard Radio
"Everyone was well impressed with the fancy stitched felt sleeve the disc came packaged in, then we put it on and floated off into a time of less stress, sun dappled ground (from filtering through a familiar tree, perhaps), and scent of cherry blossoms. Far from as new agey as that sounds, Familiar Trees walks the well loved, but somewhat overgrown, path previously tread by Mazzy Star and Slowdive, but both at their most quietly beautiful." -Fingerprints Record Store
"Desde California nos llega este Ep. del dúo Familiar Trees, integrado por Ken Negrete y Fabiola Sánchez; aunque los rumores indican que se encuentran trabajando en su nuevos disco, esto es hasta ahora lo único que tenemos de ellos. Editado en el año 2005 por Time Realease, este Ep sin nombre es una sutil combinación de texturas electrónicas y agradable instrumentación acústica de cuerdas, pianos y batería tocada con escobilla; los sonidos de la naturaleza no son dejados de lado y podemos escuchar a nuestro lado el canto de algún pájaro alegremente distorsionado. El clima de felicidad y armonía que se vive durante la escucha del disco, perdura por largo tiempo mientras la voz de Fabiola florece quién sabe en qué lugar de nuestra mente. Esto es el paraíso y la música de Familiar Trees lo ha creado." - LA SUITE
"Familiar Trees (Californie) est un trio utilisant cello, clarinette, guitare, piano, batterie jazz, le tout combiné à des arrangements electroniques d’une rare subtililté. La voix de Fabiola Sanchez, évoque la sensibilité et la fragilité d’une Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) ou d’une Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). Le packaging en tissu fait de cette série ultra limitée un bien bel objet tant sonore que visuel." - musique.fnac
"The delicately textured vocals of Fabiola Sanchez take the tender, ambient pop-sensibilities of Ken Negrete and Joel O'Neill to otherworldly places. While Familiar Trees create music that has immediate appeal, there is something much deeper happening within the chords, flourishes, and atmospheres. "Minutes Pass" opens the EP, and you are swooned with the soft rhythm of shakers, carefully strummed acoustic guitars, ethereal keyboard drones, and hauntingly reverbed breathy vocals. Warm orchestral strings dominate "Discreet Robots", and it's (ironically) the most organic moment on the EP. Again, Fabiola's voice defines the song and turns it completely angelic. The breathtaking instrumental "Serum" has a relation to the instrumental tracks found on Goldfrapp's Felt Mountain, only Familiar Trees makes instrumentals more pristine and less synthetic. "Dreamstate" continues right where "Serum" left off, as the vocal-less track mixes warm strings to the euphoria. Artistic nature sounds with a space-like undertone, along with gentle acoustic guitars bring "Nameless" to its wonderful climax. The vocals are doubled at times, and their reverb evokes Elizabeth Fraser (CT). The final "From Clay" is almost lullaby-like, quiet and pensive, yet rich with sonic appeal, as the synths are tenderly accompanied by a lone piano. I'm not hyping this EP at all...it simply blows my mind in a very subtle way. This is when pop crashes into art. -the black and white magazine
Familiar Trees is currently recording, "Inner Course", a full-length record to be released upon completion. Listen to ...
'Sunspot' [V/A "Springs, Re:Makes and Mixes of RF": 2006] 'Kings' [RF & Lili De La Mora: Eleven Continents: 2007] 'Building' , 'Leafy Sanctuaries' and 'Between' [Familiar Trees: Inner Course: FORTHCOMING]
@ www.myspace.com/familiartreesaddendum or by clicking on the image link below
<3 Dress up in some small way every day. Even if it’s just a good pair of knickers or a coat of death-defying mascara. <3 Be different. <3 Be genuine. <3 Allow yourself to change & evolve. <3 Dream big. <3 Believe that you can manifest anything. <3 Take responsibility. <3 Treat everyone the same way — from your lover to your mother to your postman. <3 Appreciate your past for having made you the person you are. <3 Talk about how you feel. <3 Dance. <3 Sing. <3 Let go of guilt. <3 Treat your lovers with respect. <3 Admit your flaws. <3 …& come up with a plan to remedy them. <3 Surprise people. <3 Set yourself a really huge goal. <3 Then achieve it & set another one. <3 Kiss. <3 A lot. <3 Remember that trouble doesn’t last. <3 Be still. <3 Look at the stars. <3 Be as ridiculous as you like. <3 Trust that you are loved. <3 Stay curious. <3 Charm people. <3 Give real hugs. <3 Bat your eyelashes. <3 Forget yourself. <3 Reach out. <3 Flatter people. <3 Get drunk on life. <3 Release your expectations of other people. Allow them to be who they are, & appreciate them regardless. <3 Stretch. <3 Listen to your instincts. <3 Make eye contact. <3 Keep your word. <3 Talk about real things. <3 Discover yourself. <3 Speak up. <3 Let life excite you & lead you astray. <3 Delight in every day. <3 Don’t be afraid. <3Just love.
100 Ways To Be A Love Letter To The Universe (by Gala Darling)
♥Do your lips up sticky, sparkly & sweet. Then blow kisses. ♥ Say thank you. ♥ Allow other people to inspire you. ♥ Share your bliss. ♥ Smile — even if you’re shy, even if you have bad teeth, even if it scares you. ♥ Hold someone’s hand. ♥ Be honest. ♥ Volunteer your time. ♥ Love yourself. ♥ Do your best. ♥ Learn how to balance having respect for other people’s decisions & being true to yourself. ♥ Tell people how much you like them. ♥ Send unexpected gifts. ♥ Talk to strangers. ♥ Do favours. ♥ Let go. ♥ Be generous. ♥ Eat whatever you want without guilt. ♥ Don’t think about other people’s definitions of success, beauty or happiness. ♥ Make your own rules. ♥ Write your own guidebook. ♥ Count your blessings. ♥ Never stop trying to improve. ♥ Be your own superhero. ♥ Aim higher. ♥ Contribute. ♥ Create spaces for other people to enjoy. ♥ Sleep in. ♥ Let other people sleep in, too. ♥ Be compassionate. ♥ Listen. ♥ Give yourself time off. ♥ Be enthusiastic. ♥ Choose happiness. ♥ Create. ♥ Follow your passion. ♥ Connect. ♥ Compliment people. ♥ Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself. ♥ Surprise yourself. ♥ Appreciate the people who support you. ♥ Take photos; document everything. ♥ Have a plan. ♥ Know your patterns. ♥ Be in the present. ♥ Laugh. ♥ Get close. ♥ Move through your fear. ♥ Challenge yourself. ♥ Keep it simple. ♥ Turn up the music. ♥ Realise your own freedom. ♥ Relax. ♥ Flirt. ♥ Dress up
The live song sounds great! I wish you'd release the new album soon ("O label, where are thou?!")and could tour outside the US, here in Paris... ;-) Love & support!
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