The Giving Tree Band are making their way to the head of young American songwriters and performers. The Finks extended their brotherhood to all 7 members who wield a wide array of instruments from acoustic and electric guitars, slide guitars and banjos to violin, mandolin and pedal steel. A band's band, they all live together, travel together and do everything as one family, harmonizing their voices and lives on and off stage. The Giving Tree Band is not reinventing but simply reuniting rock and roll. With their down-home style, they emphasize the virtue in their fierce virtuosity - playing each note with integrity, each part with humility, each song with honesty and each show with gratitude.
We sat down with the band prior to the show at tSGHR.
Give us some backstory on The Giving Tree Band
My brother and I started the band several years ago in Yorkville, IL. It was just a few friends playing acoustic instruments and gradually grew to a seven piece rock and roll band. We've released 4 albums and been touring nationally for the past 3 years. We've played with great bands like Edward Sharpe and been at music fests like SXSW. We had an album in the top 40 Americana radio charts. We're pretty proud that our cover of Brown Eyed Women won the Dead Covers Project hosted by the Grateful Dead and earned a lot of praise and support from that incredible community.
How is it to live, work and play with each other?
Living together is amazing and challenging. We're closer than a family which helps us tap into deeper levels of creativity and also allows us to work at any time or all the time. We're still learning how to best communicate and be a band, a business and great friends.
What can one expect at a The Giving Tree Band show?
Folks can expect to see a lot of facial hair. Also, there are good songs and a high level of musicianship. But there's no intermission at our shows. So be ready for that.
Where did the name originate? Shel Silverstein?
The name was inspired by the book by Shel. He was from Chicago and not only a poet and author but also a notable songwriter and musician who wrote "A Boy Named Sue" for Johnny Cash and music for Waylon Jennings and also most of the songs of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show.
What is next for The Giving Tree Band?
We're working on our 5th album right now and soon heading west on tour with performances at the first Edward Sharpe Big Top fest in LA!
The Giving Tree Band
The Southgate House Revival
Thursday October 3rd
7p Doors / 8p Show
