Folk duo Salt Tree are easing me into the weekend with their gorgeous new EP Swell. This collection of songs transports you to Tom and Nath’s hometown of Wooditup/Margaret River, a picturesque coastal town where the ocean meets the forests, or as the band’s name suggests, where the salt meets the trees.
Salt Tree take total control of their music, writing, recording, producing, and mixing it in a bedroom studio. Their hearts shine through beautiful acoustic arrangements that showcase their lyrics and artistry. They don’t reinvent the wheel, but if you love gentle acoustic guitar melodies, two-part vocal harmonies, and uplifting songs, Swell will be everything you’re looking for.
Opening track “Take My Hand” encourages you to step into Salt Tree’s musical world. “I’ll Be Here” reassures you that you’ve made the right choice. Its foot-stomping vibe reminds me of acts like Mumford & Sons and our own Pierce Brothers. The duo keeps that energy up with “We Were Young,” a nostalgic number that reminisces about the simplicity of childhood. The natural imagery of “Follow Me in the Ocean” is so compelling. From the water to the land, Salt Tree’s “Garden” sees the pair at their most romantic. This is a gorgeous song about budding love which resists the cliches. Salt Tree close out their EP on an optimistic note with “Dreaming Of a Future.” It’s a powerful reminder that even though the seas might get rocky, there’s always hope.
After visiting Wooditup/Margaret River, I told everyone who would listen that they needed to go. Listening to Swell, I’m taken back to that space that helped me unwind from the pace of my daily grind. I still maintain you should visit Wooditup/Margaret River if you can, but until you can book the trip, listening to Salt Tree’s beautiful folk EP is the next best thing. Salt Tree kick off their European tour in Germany tonight, so many sure you get out and support them if you can snap up some of the limited remaining tickets.
8 November 2024 – Jaki, Cologne (SOLD OUT)
9 November 2024 – Ponyhof, Frankfurt (SOLD OUT)
11 November 2024 – Milla, Munich (SOLD OUT)
12 November 2024 – Werkstatthaus, Stuttgart (SOLD OUT)
13 November 2024 – Exil, Zurich
14 November 2024 – ISC, Bern
16 November 2024 – B72, Vienna (SOLD OUT)
17 November 2024 – Lark, Berlin
18 November 2024 – Hebebühne, Hamburg (SOLD OUT)
19 November 2024 – Tolhuistuin Zonzij, Amsterdam (SOLD OUT)
21 November 2024 – The Waiting Room, London (SOLD OUT)
22 November 2024 – Lock 91, Manchester
23 November 2024 – Academy 2, Dublin
26 November 2024 – Club Sauvage, Barcelona
27 November 2024 – Moby Dick Club, Madrid
4 December 2024 – Bar Brooklyn, Stockholm
Images used with permission from Nettwerk Music Group