Hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Solace’, instrumental project Held By Trees is excited to be releasing two new EPs this year on Sound Canyon Records through InnerSleeve.com. Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s famous Real World Studios, the first EP is comprised of live versions of five tracks from ‘Solace’. The six-piece live iteration of Held By Trees brings together three of the Talk Talk/Mark Hollis alumni that contributed to ‘Solace’ including renowned guitarist Robbie McIntosh. The band recorded playing all together in the ‘Big Room’ at Real World in November 2022, a week after their debut live performances.
The second EP is an entirely new suite of pieces themed on the transition from daylight to darkness. Entitled ‘Eventide’, it was tracked live at Real World Studios and then additional layers were added by musicians in America and Canada, by old friends of project leader David Joseph.
The twin EPs will be released on separate CDs and as two sides of one vinyl pressing by new American record label, Sound Canyon and their retail arm InnerSleeve.com
The new material sees Held By Trees continue to create instrumental music characterised by skilled improvisation over spacious, epic arrangements. The new music draws on the influence of Van Morrison and John Martyn, alongside their usual late Talk Talk and Pink Floyd references. The live versions of ‘Solace’ tracks bring a fresh intensity to the music, with a heavier vibe created by the band in real time.
The main musicians who worked on the new EPs are…
David Joseph – guitar
Robbie McIntosh – guitar
Laurence Pendrous – piano
Andy Panayi – flute, clarinet, saxophone
James Grant – bass, double bass
Paul Beavis – drums
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