Chicago-based Folk group, The Giving Tree Band, Spreads "Green" Love All over the U.S. on Midwest Tour

By: Audrey Kay

I never thought I would be so excited for an Americana folk band to come play in my home state, but there's always a first for everything. I mean, being as passionate about music as I am, I am a supporter of most music genres out there, but most people know me as your "ordinary rock chick" you've all come to know and love (well, I'd like to think so anyway). I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't have heard of this band if my good buddy Justin Forsythe, the drummer and newest member of The Giving Tree band, didn't contact me to tell me he was coming to town. So, as a good friend with an expansive curiosity for finding new and interesting music, I checked them out and gave them a listen. I have to say, it really grew on me. I think what really impressed me was how they have FUN with their music…good music shouldn't be something that is stuffy and too "put together". I like when bands can have the type of chemistry where they can just let loose and have a good time with their music without striving for perfection. After all, perfection is pretty boring anyway. I knew before I even spoke with Todd Fink, co-founder of The Giving Tree band along with his brother Eric, for our phone interview that they were just going to be some laid back guys loving life and passionate to entertain a crowd, but they are so much more than just musicians and entertainers, they really are givers like their name suggests, and do their part to help the environment and people in need…and that is something to respect out of any band, whether you like the music or not.

I usually allow myself quite a bit of time for interviews, but we had to crunch it in a small window of time (over my lunch break), but that ended up being more than enough time. There was never a moment of silence with Todd; you can tell how passionate he is about his music and sharing his enthusiasm with everyone. "First and foremost, we want people to have a good time with our music," he goes on to say. "We really weren't expecting to get as good of a response as we have, and I think it's because even though it's all acoustic, it still is a very diverse sound". I think it is a great thing when a band can stick to their guns with how they want to portray themselves as a band, and play the music they feel is right without fear of how people are going to receive it. "We have a person in the band with a degree in classical, someone has a degree in jazz inspired music, me and [my brother] Eric have more of a folk musical background. It's a very collaborative effort. Everyone has different tastes and musical ideas and our sound is something we kind of stumbled upon, and we like what it's become," Todd explains, "Chemistry is the most important thing. The band isn't trying to sound like anyone else."

Besides just putting on a show and giving people a good time, The Giving Tree band uses their talent for a good cause. Labeled a "green" band, these guys have put on shows that they so generously gave up all their earnings to help out charities, including a January 30th Haiti relief performance in which ALL of the proceeds went to benefit the American Red Cross. "Not only are we there to entertain a crowd, there are great things that result from supporting the band," Todd says. Not only do they give back by playing for charity benefits, they are environmentally friendly as well! Their merchandise is all eco-friendly, from records and cases constructed out of 100% recycled material and organic cotton T-shirts. I would say The Giving Tree's name is quite the perfect fit.

My prediction is that big things are in the works for this band, and this year will hold amazing things for them. The Giving Tree band already has two established albums, "Unified Folk Theory" and "Great Possessions" (both of which can be purchased on their website thegivingtreeband.com and also downloaded from both Itunes and Amazon.com), and the band is already getting anxious to introduce their third album which will be completed sometime this year. Their very own record label, Crooked Creek Records, was founded by Todd's brother, Eric. "The first CD we made was very raw and folksy and we were a smaller band then," Todd said, "The second was more of a concept album, that we completed in one month in Wisconsin. There was a little more percussion in that one [than the first]. The third will be all done at home in the attic. It's going to be a "live performance" album. Each one is very unique." What can we expect to see as fans for the band's future? "What people can expect is an ungodly amount of music coming in the next few years," Todd states, "We're already off to a great start. What we're really hoping for is to become a known act on a national level…I think that will happen with the release of the third album".

So how does a musician keep the determination to succeed without losing the drive, hard work, and willingness to do what it takes to get to the top? "It's more than just music," Todd rationalized, "it's a way of life. That is what is so inspiring…music becomes a way of life."

Check out The Giving Tree Band:
Thegivingtreeband.com
http://www.myspace.com/thegivingtreeband

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The GIving Tree will be at the P.S. collective with Matt Cox Sunday, Feb 28th, 8:30.

Lincoln - Tuesday, March 2nd at Knickerbockers with Ruha at 9 p.m. 18 and over show.

See you there!

2.27.10