To see a photo slideshow of Trees on Fire, click here.
Virginia-based band Trees on Fire isn’t just looking to impress audiences with their ’90s sounding funk rock. Only four years into their career, Trees on Fire is now gaining some major recognition for their work to promote eco-friendly music. They have brought attention to some environmental issues back home, such as the destructive process of mountaintop removal for the mining of coal that causes topographical and ecological changes. Bassist Brian Wahl said the band members were exposed to the negative effects of coal mining back home and wanted to do something about it. “Because of the way we feel about the environment and global warming, we saw an opportunity with the mountaintop removal to raise awareness,” Wahl said. Their efforts won them the title of “Greenest Regional Band” by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Andrew Hunter, founder of Drake Records and University alumnus, is a longtime friend of the band and let the guys use his studio in Virginia. Hunter said he was inspired by the band and decided to help them to get their music out. “My whole reason for going into the music business is not to make money, it’s really to help these guys to get their art out to the people,” Hunter said. The Charlottesville, Va., rockers played at Chelsea’s Cafe on Saturday night to kick off their partnership with the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Organization. Their show at Chelsea’s, along with their appearance on KLSU on Friday, was an effort to get people in the Baton Rouge area aware of their music and efforts with the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Organization. Hunter said the band was put in touch with the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Organization to raise awareness and help out this area. “The band’s partnership with the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Organization was an idea we all decided to go forth with,” Hunter said. “They are the premier conservation organization for the Atchafalaya Basin.”The Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Organization provides the band with another opportunity to get people in this area more aware of becoming eco-friendly, Wahl said.”We’re sure they’re people down here who are aware of the basin’s situation,” Wahl said. “We just want to do whatever we can to help out.”Cara Leverett, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper assistant, said Hunter got in touch with her about joining their cause a few weeks ago. “Andrew knew about us already, but I explained to him everything that we do,” Leverett said. “After he and the band checked out our Web site they decided to do this with us.” The band had a tour of the basin Sunday with Dean Wilson, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper executive director. It was the first time anyone in the band had ever seen or been in a swamp before, Leverett said.”The guys learned a lot from this experience and it was really eye-opening for them,” he said. The Atchafalaya Basinkeeper’s goal with Trees on Fire is to promote an overall awareness of the preservation of this area, Leverett said.”Our goal is to preserve, protect and to hopefully one day restore the Atchafalaya Basin,” he said. “Our partnership is an effective and fun way to get people involved in our cause.” Besides their eco-friendly efforts off the stage, the band’s music blends in with their environmentally friendly message.Their songs use enriching vocal harmonies from different members along with melodic rhythms to talk about issues they feel are pressing to them. The band’s music doesn’t force listeners to take action, instead encourages them to become more open and proactive to eco-friendly issues, Wahl said.”The music kind of addresses the issues broadly,” Wahl said. “We don’t like to preach to people and tell them what they shouldn’t do, but maybe suggest what they can do.” The band is going to be releasing a full length album soon instead of releasing another EP like originally planned, Hunter said.”The plan was to have four CDs in 2009,” Hunter said. “Now we’re going to go straight to the full length album.” The future for the band looks bright as they continue recording and touring, making a name for themselves through their positive attitudes and goals. “The main plan is to play music and have a good time but at the same time do that responsibly,” Wahl said. The band will join Meriwether on stage at the Varsity Theatre on Friday.—-Contact Joshua Chenier at [email protected]