CONTACT: [email protected]
Familiar Trees are an outfit that sit firmly between the work of artists such as RF and Stereolab and labels such as Plop and 4AD. You can hear the influences in there and the way they've captured a sunny, warm and lively sound is marvellous. Their affiliation with the aforementioned RF is cemented by the fact that they've just remixed one of his tracks (Sunspot) on 'Springs' along with Sawako, Greg Davis and other likeminded musicians. Lovely song structures and gorgeous vocals are the key and the instrumentation, be it lightly shoegazey, piano led or gently electronic is delightful ... recommended for fans of chilled out and beautiful music. - Smallfish Records, UK
'Sunspot'(an RF Re:Make by Familiar Trees ) video by Smog Films .
In the late 90's, Ken Negrete - producer, engineer and at that time owner/operator of Jabbz Music Company was introduced to Fabiola Sanchez. At that time Fabiola was roomate of vocalist, Lili De La Mora and would at times accompany her to the studio for Sidecar rehearsals and/or recording sessions. Eventually, Fabiola became a mainstay at the studio and could generally be found in the control room observing and listening to the sound happenings as they occured. She began to listen to music like never before, in layers, with depth perception and soon she discovered, much to her surprise, that there was a voice within on the verge of spilling over onto recordings. This was an unexpected self-discovery for an otherwise reserved and taciturn being that turned out to be a wonderful avenue of expression.
In 2002, while Ken Negrete was demo-ing songs for a new record, Fabiola asked if she could try singing on a song. Ken conceded and escorted her to the talent room. The smooth and sultry tone that was captured in that session was enough to make Ken want to create custom songs to fit this new found voice. Since then, many songs have sprouted from Ken and Fabiola's collaboration, most of which have served as lessons in their own artistic development. During the earlier part of the process, Joel O'Neill was around to co-produce and add the heartbeat bass lines to the songs. On February 12, 2003, they performed for the first time under the moniker "Sewn" at Joel's Senior Recital at the Roy O. Disney Music Hall at Cal Arts. Soon thereafter after realizing the moniker "Sewn" had been taken, the recording project took on a new name, "Familiar Trees", which was adopted from a birthday gift of flash cards with tree facts on them that Fabiola received from friends the following year. At that time, they began to compile songs for an EP. By writing and recording with multiple instruments they discovered that less was more for this first release. Ken Negrete, using his ears, experience and tools crafted these songs and Joel, with his ability to play multiple instruments helped blend the sound. In October 2005, Familiar Trees released their debut self-titled EP.
Familiar Trees are currently (among other things) recording their second offering, "Inner Course". Stay tuned for further undulations, moodulations, transformations ...
