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Some success stories thunder out of the gate with a blaze of glory. Others build slowly. Tree63's story is of the thundering sort. From their electrifying debut performance in hometown Durban, South Africa, six years ago, success showed its face early and often in a blur of #1 chart singles, mainstream radio exposure, and industry awards and tours that spanned three continents. As is so very often the case, such successes have ushered in an era of challenge and change.
Steadily weathering the internal challenge of a personnel change, as well as external pressures from various quadrants of 'the industry' regarding their musical direction, Tree63 has valiantly stayed the course, and delivered their powerful new recording 'The Life and Times of Absolute Truth'. But, to get the present in perspective, let's rewind the tape to approximately a year before that remarkable festival debut in Durban. Tree63 writer/vocalist/guitarist, John Ellis had just completed his undergraduate degree in English and Politics. Although he would go on to do cum laude graduate work in English, all was not well for the gifted twenty-three year old scholar/musician. His parents had divorced a few years before. That and a growing backlog of bottled up emotions had led to severe bouts of anxiety and unmanageable panic attacks. His depression was deep. Wistfully recalling the simplicity a less complicated season of his life, John returned to visit the Methodist Church where his mother had taken him in his childhood. Encouragement from believers there prompted him to invite Jesus into his life. Alone in a room in 1996, John Ellis was born again, and his transformation began.
But, his was not the only transformation that was afoot. Soon thereafter, John heard that old friend and drummer Daryl Swart had recently experienced a passionate return to Christ. Daryl had received Jesus in his early teens, but had fallen into some of the same cultural distractions that had occupied much of John's life. John gave Daryl a call to tell him of his own conversion and encourage him in his renewal. They began to talk music, and Tree63 was born. Daryl's return was passionate indeed, and remains rock solid to this day.
Among the aforementioned changes of the past year is the addition of Daniel Ornellas, on bass and vocals. Daniel grew up in fashionable Capetown, and being a Pastor's son and member of a Gospel-singing family, is the only Tree63 member who has known the Lord since childhood. Although deeply serious, he often plays the role of 'class clown'. John points out, "Whenever we've had a particularly long difficult studio day, or a really bad take, Daniel is able to crack us all up with some off-the-wall comment or antic. He can even find humor in wearisome situations on the road. He definitely keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously!"
While adjusting to the change in their lineup, challenges were coming from outside the band, as well. Mainstream radio success in their homeland South Africa brought serious interest from pop label representatives in the U.S. If the band would just back off on the Jesus content, 'massive success could be theirs'. But just as pressure can turn more common material into the most precious of gems, so the pressures from well-meaning associates can help a band define its own identity. John publicly processes that challenge for us in the new song, 'All Because'. Their commitment to boldly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus is deeper than ever. Conversely, success on the Christian charts has also brought fans to the table who'd just as soon the band's lyrics not be quite so honest about their struggles and doubts as about their victories and faith. But, Tree63 is committed not only to following Jesus, but to doing so honestly. John admits that taking up the cross to follow Christ is often not easy, and "It's not always the easiest thing on Earth to sing 'I Could Sing of Your Love Forever', every Sunday, no matter how you're feeling". He points to the Psalmist David as his role model for honesty before God. "The Psalms are filled with more honesty and gritty reality than many Christians care to admit, but that's what the Bible does; it never pretends to be something it's not".
These past few whirlwind years have seen Tree63 triumphantly bring their unique brand of music to shows with British worship phenomenon Deleriou5 and popular American worship band Sonic Flood. In the context of the recent 'trend' of worship music those successful concert pairings have tempted some listeners to 'classify' Tree63 as a 'worship band'. But, upon closer examination of the lyrics of new song 'Here of All Places,' once again the listener is led to visit the grit and reality of everyday struggle, where life is not all roses and worship conferences. The chorus's 'halleluia,' is not free of a bit of cynicism. Then eloquent verse lyrics use Isaiah's figure of beauty coming from the ashes of life to hearken back to God's 'ex nihilo' creation ... something out of nothing. Using the image of the prophet Zephaniah, the worshipper then invites God to, 'Come sing over me,' and 'Help me hear it'. This is indeed worship music, but not the stuff of a dishonest or disengaged mind.
Clarity in communication is important to Tree63. And that clarity includes what things are named and called. Their own moniker is full of meaning. It reminds us that the biblical narrative includes a tree of temptation in its beginning, a tree bearing fruit for the healing of nations at its conclusion, and that it's all held together by the one who hangs on a tree as he does combat for our souls. It also calls our attention to the sixty-third Psalm. It's no surprise that the name for their new recording is a thoughtful one.
'The Life and Times of Absolute Truth,' takes its stand amidst a culture enmeshed in the pluralism of post-modern values. John observes," We live in a society where the notion of absolutes is unacceptable. It's a very tough environment in which to be a Christian. This is the 'life and times of Absolute Truth'. Our title invites all that accept there is an Absolute to stand and declare it to the world and say, 'your collection of lies is unacceptable; there is One Truth, and his name is Jesus".
Of Tree63's hopes for 'The Life and Times of Absolute Truth,' John says, "I came from an unchurched background, and remember what it is to have modern Christianity mean nothing to me. But, I also know what it is to actually have the real power of Jesus transform my life. We want to speak to those who don't know they are searching, to be able to reach the world with a language they understand".
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