A group of artists have banded together to raise support for victims of the recent disaster in Joplin, Missouri with a benefit album titled, Songs for Joplin. This includes artists such as Waterdeep and Derek Webb. The album is available at Noisetrade. One of the newer bands on the album is Union Tree Review. The bands lead singer, Tawaine Noah, took some time to answer a few questions for us about their music and the Joplin project:

1. Tell us a little about your band and how you got started?

I had some solo demos floating around our little part of time for a couple of months, and Matt (drummer) got a hold of them through mutual friends and fellow STL musicians Sleepy Kitty — It was mostly just me and acoustic guitar. Around that time I was working in a coffee shop with Jordan (guitar), and we started playing a bit on some of the songs I had. I had known Jenn (viola) and Tyler (bass) for a while, and when it came up that I was working on some music, they expressed interest. It was a pretty natural coalescing, really.

2. How do you describe the music you play and why does it matter?

That’s probably the hardest question to answer as a musician. I certainly have my own opinion of my music, but it’s probably the most biased one you can get; I’d rather just let the music speak for itself. I have a hard time listening to music when I’ve been told what to expect.
That’s probably the hardest question to answer as a musician. I certainly have my own opinion of my music, but it’s probably the most biased one you can get; I’d rather just let the music speak for itself. I have a hard time listening to music when I’ve been told what to expect.

3. How did you get involved with the Joplin project? Could you share some of the details of this effort?

I met Zach a few years ago through a mutual friend. I think what we talked about most was music; since then, I would occasionally run into him around town. I was honored that he thought of Union Tree Review in putting together this project. Like most people, we were happy to be a part of it, as we wanted to help out of friends and family in Joplin.

4. How do you believe faith and art intersect?

The creative process is all about faith. There is a certain feeling inherent in creating art — whether it be visual art, music, or literature — that the best work one creates has some “extra” element to it, outside of oneself. Most creatives look to “inspiration” for this extra element; sometimes inspiration comes from sheer random chance, and sometimes it comes from one’s beliefs and culture. Regardless, “inspiration” and “faith” are interchangeable: they are an inexplicable feeling of compulsion, necessitated by and vital to the creative process.

5. How does coming out of the St. Louis music scene affect your identity as a band?

We’re very close with the bands we share this city with. It’s common to walk into a bar in South City, and see half the room filled with members of local bands. We go to each others’ shows, and listen to each others’ records. As such, whether we like it or not, other local bands influence our music very closely, just as I’m sure our music influences those bands in some way or another.

6. What does the next year look like for Union Tree Review?

Over the next year, I think we plan to work even harder at finding a unique voice for our songs. As we play together, write together, and tour together, that sound is constantly coming through in what we do. Whatever we do, whether it be recording or performing, we are constantly trying to outdo ourselves. I myself am constantly in this mentality, especially with my lyric-writing.