Tree by Leaf

press stuff

t h e r e i s a v i n e

	With 2005’s Of the Black and Blue, Tree by Leaf went from an interesting folk trio living somewhere Downeast to one of the most respected groups of talent in New England, with a following that began to span continents. The husband-and-wife vocals of Garrett and Siiri Soucy created an ethereal dreamland that alternatingly wrapped you in a warm embrace and forced you frigidly into a cold and driving rain, leaving the listener emotionally drained, but, like a drunk, willing to risk the hangover to go back for more...... click here for full review
It’s a grey; foggy Sunday afternoon as I work on my second cup of decaf at the kitchen table listening to There is a Vine (LongAgoLight), the new record from Tree by Leaf. It’s on the last track and I’ll need to pop up and start it over momentarily because I am digging it bigtime. It’s hard not to, Tree by Leaf are a consistently fantastic band....click here for full review
NetRythms - UK ....Tree By Leaf have grown up musically over the past six or seven years through four albums of increasing sophistication, yet all the while retaining an attractive simplicity of expression that works best when they're at their least frenetic and keep things stripped down to relative essentials, as here on the atmospheric velvety Americana of Chicago At Night. .........click here for full review

The Black & the Blue

'I'm speaking but are you listening?' So ask Tree by Leaf - My advice is to pin back your ears. It is a privilege of music journalism that never diminishes with time - the knowledge that through your work, you occassionally announce the presence of an Artist to a hither-to-largely unaware audience. This band definetely fall into that prestigious category... more

-Pete Gow, Americana-UK Review, England

Of the Black and Blue is spectacular, the type of album that demands that you spend time with it and nothing else. The type of album that is all-consuming in and of itself — not background music, not what you put on at a party, not something you would hear on the radio, because one song just wouldn’t be enough, and they wouldn’t pick the right one anyway....more
-Sam Pfeifle, Portland Phoenix

Siiri Soucy’s is a voice that rings as clear and bright as a deep winter’s morning, offset perfectly by the scruffy vocals of Garrett Soucy and the smooth Rhodes of Clifford Young. ...These songs are strong, introspective, and could take on many stylistic shapes—from rock to country, and folk to indie—and it is to the band’s credit that they have forged a record that is haunting, spare, and cohesive. more
- The Wire

Tree by Leaf have made a stellar Americana record that showcases the undeniable songwriting abilities of singer Garret Soucy and the beautifully lush voice of his wife, Siiri. Piano man Clifford Young accompanies the Soucys, and together they weave a soulful, catchy brand of folk pop that would fit right in on a Bonnaroo stage.
- Northeast Performer

Sonically, this is the most colorful palette they have ever worked with and is easily as polished and professional as anything out there nationally. Great harmonies (all three contribute vocals), stellar playing (Garrett Soucy's guitar work, Young's keyboards, as well as contributions from Ezra Rugg on upright and electric bass, drums and backing vocals, and Nick Cody on electric guitar) and topnotch songwriting combine to make "Of the Black & the Blue" a total delight and a wonderful example of Maine-made music at it's best!"
- Morning Sentinel

"great harmonies, stellar playing and topnotch songwriting combine to make 'of the black & the blue' a total delight..music at its best!"
-Bathtub Music

"Tree by Leaf is a young band with all the right ingredients: great songwriting, real musicianship, and tons of heart. Keep your ear on Tree by Leaf...they are sure to bloom."

-Sara Willis, Maine Public Radio

"These songs mix the sensibilities of contemporary folk and old hymns....The material is well arranged and the band demonstrates top musicianship.... Songs of grief and loss, songs that challenge, songs of comfort. . More importantly, these are songs of real people struggling with real dilemmas in the real world."

-Gary Chapin, The Maine Times

The slush pile breeds flowers. One track on a small roots music compilation sent me to this rural Maine trio. A genuine discovery, Postcards is one of the most interesting sounding albums I've heard all year, piano-laden but spare with subtle mandolin and perfectly understated harmonies. click here for complete review

-Danielle Dreilinger, Northeast Performer Magazine

"Excellent songwriting, excellent musicianship, and excellent people to work with-this is why we have done multiple shows with Tree by Leaf." -Denis Howard, WERU-FM 89.9 Blue Hill

of the black & the blue one-sheet

click on photo below for high res pix
(suitable for printing)

of the black & the blue
Chosen #2 album of 2005
by the Portland Phoenix

Read article from Bangor Daily News here

Read article by
Lizzie Dickerson
in Face Magazine here

Listen here for interview with chris darling

Listen here
to Garrett's interview
with Keith Shortall
on Maine Public Radio

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