Indie rock pop mixer-uppers THE HALO TREES have an upcoming album coming this fall, but have released a previous album and an EP as well. As of now, no shows are in the works due to the current pandemic, but new music is being focused upon with that album and more expected soon enough! One of the band members Sascha Blach (vocals/guitar) discusses the band and their music coming soon.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
I've been a musician since the mid-90s and have played in countless bands, from pop to metal. I had the idea of making a deep melancholic rock sound sound like The Halo Trees for a long time. Since about 2015 I have written many songs for it in the home studio and developed our unique sound via trial and error. Various other musicians have come and gone since then. Currently, Stefan Helwig (drums) and I (vocals, guitar, synths) form the core of the band and work together with session musicians.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
I wanted a name that sounds beautiful, poetic and yet has a deeper meaning. This Halo Tree is deeply rooted in the earth, but its branches soar high into the sky. When viewed in the right light, one sees a halo that represents the unearthly, as it were. We regard the trees rather symbolically, because as you can see in the artwork of our last album, it can also be lanterns, masts or cranes.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We are from Berlin. There is a very diverse scene here because it is one of the music capitals of Europe. But I can't say that there are many similar bands in our kind of music. We know a lot of musicians in different genres, of course, but then we are a bit of a loner. I can recommend Cosma Nova, a pop/rock band that I used to play in and that I still work with as a producer.
4. How would you describe your style?
Imagine deep, melancholic music with plenty of room for the voice and handmade instrumentation. A comforting sound universe, inspired by David Bowie, Editors, Mark Lanegan, The National or Nick Cave. A mixture of indie-rock, pop, wave and post-rock with many tom-toms, melodic basslines, atmospheric guitars, catchy violin and sonorous, warm vocals.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
So far, the EP "Time And Tide Wait For No Man" (2018) and the album "Antennas To The Sky" (2019) have been released. We care a lot for physical release, although that seems a bit outdated nowadays. A pure digital release doesn't satisfy me after having spent hundreds of hours in the studio for each album.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
Yes. We are currently promoting our upcoming album "Summergloom", which will be released on October 8, 2021. We worked on the songs for a long time and think we could develop in every way - production, performance and songwriting. I think it's one of my best albums to date, and I'm very proud of it and I hope a lot of people will listen to it in October. Expect a release on cd and vinyl and also fan packages with shirts and lanyards.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
No, unfortunately not. The Covid situation makes any planning difficult or even impossible for us. We keep our eyes open and wait for the right moment. Meanwhile, our main focus is on the production of new songs.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
Be the first band to play a concert in outer space? Or at the center of the earth? If that doesn't work, we'll just keep producing great albums. ;-) The third is already in the works and, with a bit of luck, will be released in 2022.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Our music is available in digital form on all major platforms such as Spotify, iTunes or Amazon, and we have done lots of videos that are all on YouTube. If you would like to buy physical products, you can visit our own shop at www.wintersolitude.de or find us at Bandcamp: https://thehalotrees.bandcamp.com.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
We make music that is melancholy and warm-hearted at the same time. Music that gives you a lot to discover, especially through headphones. Music that you can listen to again and again without being annoyed. I am sure that if you have some time, you will experience it that way too.
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