Since forming in 2005, Akron's instrumental metal outfit If These Trees Could Talk have released an EP, two full-lengths, toured the US and Europe and had their music licensed by several video games and films. Most recently, the quintet has signed with Metal Blade Records and has begun work on their next release, slated for release this year. To start the year off with a bang, Metal Blade will reissue the band's two albums, 2009's Above the Earth, Below the Sky and 2012's Red Forest, both of which are stunning displays of heaviness and musicianship. In anticipation of the January 27 release date for the reissues, I caught up with the band for a quick interview.
Tell me about the formation and early years of the band.
“The band started as a bedroom project of sorts when Zack Kelly was at the Art Institute in Pittsburgh. He came home with a bunch of instrumental songs that laid the groundwork for our first album (self-titled EP). We dug what he was doing, so he suggested that we learn a few of them and maybe play a show or two. It was all very organic, but once we got going, people seemed to really respond to it. At the time, there weren't that many instrumental bands around, so we had a hard time finding shows to play that fit with our style. We were cool with that though. We were just looking to rock, and it didn't matter who the audience was. It ended up working out, and we've been at it ever since!”
When was the decision made to go all instrumental?
“There wasn't much of a decision really. That's just how the tunes came out, so we never consciously said ‘no singers’. We just felt like the formula was right as it was, so no need to screw it up. Nothing worse than too many cooks in the kitchen!”
How was the early reception in the NE Ohio area? Is there a decent heavy music scene up there?
“There is a big metal scene here, but we weren't really metal enough for it. We definitely got started playing at metal shows though as myself and the Kelly Brothers were in a metal band at the time. When we would play metal shows, you would get the few people there who were into what we were doing, but a good majority could not have cared less. Ha. Overall though, NE Ohio has been quite receptive to what we've been doing, but not as much as other places around the world.”
How did the game and film licensing deals come about?
“They just got in touch with us. We never actively pushed our music out for licensing opportunities. Every piece of music that has been licensed of ours was a result of word of mouth and the company getting in touch with us to use. We've always found that to be very cool.”
How did the Metal Blade deal materialize and what does that mean for the band?
“In terms of how we came to be on Metal Blade, it was all very organic. Brian Slagel had been turned onto us by a chef in NYC named Chris Santos. Slagel reached out to us, and after a few months of back and forths, we signed the dotted line. Things have been elevated since then, and we hope that it keeps going in that direction.”
How is the new album coming along?
“Great.We start tracking in a week or so! We are very excited for people to hear it!”
Where do you draw your inspiration?
“Life in general really. 4/5 of the band is married and a few of us have kids, so we just pull from life experience.”
What kind of gear are you using live and in-studio these days?
“Just the basic stuff really. Our live rig is essentially our studio rig with some tweaks. Some of the gear we use currently is PRS Guitars, Gibson Les Pauls, Music Man basses, Gretsch drums, Mesa Boogie, Marshall, Ampeg and Fender amps and tons of boss pedals!”
What's next for the band?
“Hopefully more road work in addition to our new album before the close of 2015. Can't wait!”
“The band started as a bedroom project of sorts when Zack Kelly was at the Art Institute in Pittsburgh. He came home with a bunch of instrumental songs that laid the groundwork for our first album (self-titled EP). We dug what he was doing, so he suggested that we learn a few of them and maybe play a show or two. It was all very organic, but once we got going, people seemed to really respond to it. At the time, there weren't that many instrumental bands around, so we had a hard time finding shows to play that fit with our style. We were cool with that though. We were just looking to rock, and it didn't matter who the audience was. It ended up working out, and we've been at it ever since!”
When was the decision made to go all instrumental?
“There wasn't much of a decision really. That's just how the tunes came out, so we never consciously said ‘no singers’. We just felt like the formula was right as it was, so no need to screw it up. Nothing worse than too many cooks in the kitchen!”
How was the early reception in the NE Ohio area? Is there a decent heavy music scene up there?
“There is a big metal scene here, but we weren't really metal enough for it. We definitely got started playing at metal shows though as myself and the Kelly Brothers were in a metal band at the time. When we would play metal shows, you would get the few people there who were into what we were doing, but a good majority could not have cared less. Ha. Overall though, NE Ohio has been quite receptive to what we've been doing, but not as much as other places around the world.”
How did the game and film licensing deals come about?
“They just got in touch with us. We never actively pushed our music out for licensing opportunities. Every piece of music that has been licensed of ours was a result of word of mouth and the company getting in touch with us to use. We've always found that to be very cool.”
How did the Metal Blade deal materialize and what does that mean for the band?
“In terms of how we came to be on Metal Blade, it was all very organic. Brian Slagel had been turned onto us by a chef in NYC named Chris Santos. Slagel reached out to us, and after a few months of back and forths, we signed the dotted line. Things have been elevated since then, and we hope that it keeps going in that direction.”
How is the new album coming along?
“Great.We start tracking in a week or so! We are very excited for people to hear it!”
Where do you draw your inspiration?
“Life in general really. 4/5 of the band is married and a few of us have kids, so we just pull from life experience.”
What kind of gear are you using live and in-studio these days?
“Just the basic stuff really. Our live rig is essentially our studio rig with some tweaks. Some of the gear we use currently is PRS Guitars, Gibson Les Pauls, Music Man basses, Gretsch drums, Mesa Boogie, Marshall, Ampeg and Fender amps and tons of boss pedals!”
What's next for the band?
“Hopefully more road work in addition to our new album before the close of 2015. Can't wait!”
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