Tin Tree Factory was started in secret by one guy who thinks too much.
He recorded his musical ramblings in his bedroom. His name is Johnny D. This solo acoustic project was started, almost exclusively as an excuse to go touring in Summer of 2004 with friends Jen, and Adhamh Roland (riotfolk.org). The album "Rough Cuts" [2004] was born of this venture. A year-long hiatus followed this tour, which is best described as a "learning experience". Johnny returned to songwriting as a means to endure the relentlessly gray Seattle winter. This survival tactic transitioned into performances for friends, which lead smoothly into collaborations. Stef, Bookworm (Marc), and Opalito joined the group, playing a variety of musical instruments in every set. By the begining of 2007 Tin Tree Factory was a full band with 2 full-length self-produced albums (#2 is "Rejoice in How We Fail" [2006]). This was quickly followed by a split CD, created with Brenna Sahatjian of the RiotFolk Collective, called "Dream Warriors" [2007]. The Dream Warriors Tour followed, featuring Brenna and Johnny, together, performing songs written together and separately. Johnny then continued to tour alone, as Tin Tree Factory, from the start of 2008 until the end of March of that year. Tin Tree Factory as a trio, and sometimes foursome has gone on a few more tours since then including the "Too Dork To Punk" tour in May of 2008. The band is now working on a brand new full-length album that you can expect to see by the end of summer. Let's meet the band now, shall we: |
remember. Johnny's influences and musical experiences are very, very
varied. He's written and performed in different music projects of genres including punk,hardcore, bluegrass, solo, acoustic, choral, and even a fake screamo band. Using an acoustic guitar, dulcimer, toy organ and other
musical instrument he's found at the thrift stores nearby, he's now
completed three full length albums under the name Tin Tree Factory: Rough Cuts [2004], Rejoice In How We Fail [2006], Dream Warriors [2007]). He likes to focus his music on his
messages, writing songs about dark secrets, joyus failures, people
struggling for liberation and other daily ramblings of a restless urban wanderer. Look for him at collective house potlucks and community gatherings playing music for
his friends and anyone else who's interested.
does the percussion thing and messes around on keyboard for Tin Tree Factory.He hails from the Great State of New Jersey, reads far too much, and has been to Space Camp. He has played in several bands you've likely never heard of (with the possibly exception of a now defunct Seattle-based radical marching band of some minimal notoriety). If you ask nicely, he'll be more than happy to share his chocolate chip banana bread recipe with you.
Stef
also plays piano/keyboards, trumpet, mellophone, kazoo, accordion, and
sings a little. Though having never attended Band Camp, the majority of
Stef's joke-telling repertoire is band-related, and possibly only funny to
some. Grown up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, Stef now lives
in Seattle. Stef's musical influences range a wide spectrum from Bach to
Tori Amos to Fugazi. In addition to Tin Tree Factory, some of Stef's
(past & present) musical adventures include: the Yellow Hat Band, the
Infernal Noise Brigade, and Your Heart Breaks.
plays glock rock and trumpet. He plays guitar and enjoys singing from time. Born and raised in El Paso de Juarez. You'll find this person on the street busking for biscuits and change. Opal has or does play music with Yellow Hat Band and Maize Cruda. His tofu tacos are insane.