The Roof...and Trees are On Fire

Looking at Trees On Fire’s myspace page is entertaining. Their impressive range of influences, from Mozart to the The Roots is indicative of their unique and engaging style, which is defined as “Organica”, Pop and Zouk. What is Zouk you ask? I have no idea, and neither did Justin Esposito, the bands’ singer, keys, violin, accordion and guitar player. So, don’t feel too bad about not knowing. Regardless, their music defines itself.
“When we write it happens all different ways,” said Esposito. “Rob and Blake write the lyrics and general tune a lot, but we just get together, jam and form it from that.”
Maybe that is what makes their music so appealing.
The Charlottesville-based band is returning to Harrisonburg Friday, November 7 to play at Clementine Café on South Main Street, one of several up-coming dates in the area. Members, Rob Mezzanotte, Brian Wahl, Paul Rosner and Blake Hunter hail from locations spanning Massachusetts to Virginia, but took root in nearby Charlottesville 3 years ago in 2005. The members graduated Boston University and decided to move back down south and live together in a log cabin for several years, working construction and writing music. Since then, the band has become significantly accomplished.
TOF released their debut album, The Green Room in April of 2007 and plans to release their next, Organica Volume 1 on New Years Day, followed closely by another album in April 2009.
“We’ve toured all over from New York and Boston to selling out in Atlanta,” said Esposito. “But recently we’re playing more regionally so we can focus on writing and recording.”
However, Harrisonburg is lucky enough to host the band downtown this Friday, despite their quickly approaching album deadline.
For those who have not had the distinct pleasure of seeing the quintet blow minds and shake bottoms live, the Clementine show should be a treat. If the performance is anything like the bands’ unforgettable Spaghettifest 2008 set on Friday of the festival, attendants can safely expect a lot.
“We loved Spaghettifest this year,” said Esposito. “It was really well put together, the stage was cool and the people where amazing. They were just there to have fun.”
Lucky for audiences’, having fun is what this band is all about.
“My favorite part of performing is definitely the energy the crowd feeds me,” explained Esposito. “I love playing, making awesome music and seeing people dance and just let go. That’s what it’s all about. The more they let go, the easier it is for me to do the same and really tear it up.”
And Esposito has no trouble tearing it up. With violin solos comparable to Boyd Tinsely of Dave Matthews Band and wild, flailing curls to accent his powerful bowing in songs like “Camel Walk” which provoked an eruption from the crowd with every “Hey!” at Spaghettifest, TOF is a guaranteed exciting show and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Tinsley himself was quoted calling TOF “a band to watch for sure” and expressed interest in working with them at some point in the future after the band won a songwriting competition which Tinsley judged. Additionally, the band plans to record their next album at Dave Matthew’s studio later in the month.
Clearly, the band is taking off and doing it quickly. Having recently hired manager, Sean Haggerty to handle the details of booking and other business-related matters, the band has been left with more time to focus on more creative aspects and plans for the future.
“It’s a sweet time for us in the industry right now,” said Esposito. “With producing, creating and recording all available to us on our with and the internet there to help us get our music out without the middle man, it’s a great time.”
TOF has been successful in taking advantage of these resources and encourages other emerging bands to do the same.
“Record, do what you do and put it up,” advised Esposito. “Don’t worry if people will like it, just get it out there. That’s all that matters.”
Esposito’s advice is valuable, especially for those serious about pursuing a career in such an over-crowded business and should be heeded. For aspiring musicians: get your music out to the world. For music lovers: get yourself out to Clementine’s. If you want something happy in your ears and new to your eyes, TOF is the band you should be watching.

TOF will be playing at Clementines: December 13
For more: www.myspace.com/treesonfiremusic
www.treesonfire.com