Interview: Tree63
South Africa's Tree63 are back for a reunion tour in their homeland. LTTM caught up with front man John Ellis to find out why they're back, and how long for. We also delve into the band's past and find out what made them the undoubted success that they were.
Rumour has it that Tree63 will be playing live together for the first time in 5 years! What can you tell us about that?
For a whole lot of reasons, including the fact that Tree63 never really ‘broke up’ officially, it just felt like time to reconvene and play this music again, even if it’s for the last time.
Despite originally joking to the contrary, you've stated that this reunion is not about the money - so why are the band getting together again now?
No the ‘money’ comment was a very obvious joke! Anyone who has ever attempted to make music for a living, even the so-called successful artists, will know instinctively what I was joking about; there’s hardly any money left in music these days! The initial idea was to get back together to perform at this year’s Splashy Fen festival, which is the longest-running music festival in South Africa; this year it celebrates its 25th anniversary, so it was an auspicious reason to get back together.
After this run of gigs in South Africa - is there any chance you might be tempted, or persuaded, to continue? Either to play a few more gigs, or maybe even to record together again?
No that’s not really on the cards. Tree63 was another time and place, with a certain kind of music on the agenda. I write a different kind of song these days.
Of all the memories you have of Tree63, and the things the band achieved, what are you most proud of?
I think that for a band to come from such a cultural backwater as Durban in a time in South Africa’s history when it was still difficult for music to be taken seriously, the fact that we took our songs all over the world and back and had such a breakthrough in a massive country like the US is not a small achievement. Mostly, though, we can be proud that we held true to our convictions and disbanded when it wasn’t making sense anymore.
You've been quite outspoken over the years about the so-called Christian music industry and culture, do you regret anything about your time in Tree63?
Yes I regret many decisions, many lost opportunities. Tree63 missed out on so much. We had a lot of people around us who led us down the garden path, people we trusted. It’s the age-old story of “rock ‘n roll dreams gone bad”. It’s amusing now, but it wasn’t at the time! Wisdom comes at a high price, but you can’t tell that to your 25-year-old self when you hit 40.
You've released a couple of solo albums over the past few years, was that a way of expressing your pent-up frustrations?
No not at all. I just wrote and recorded songs because that’s what I do. Like any creative person, I tried to convey some truths in those new songs, and there’s always a healthy catharsis when you create, but ultimately it’s about making music, first and foremost.
Will you be playing any new songs or any of your solo material on the Tree63 tour?
No that would be inappropriate. Tree63 has six albums’ worth of material to choose from, that’ll be difficult enough to choose songs from!
Have you any plans for another solo album soon?
Yes. My ‘Bush Telegraph’ EP came out last year, and I have new album’s worth of material ready to record.
What does the next year hold for John Ellis?
Onwards and upwards!
Find out more at tree63.com
