Tree By Leaf: Faith rock reborn

Those unfamiliar with Christian rock may hear only what breaches the mainstream: modern rock that’s as preachy as it is derivative. Unimaginative lyrics are slapped down over loud, boring riffs that Creed didn’t bother to put on its last album. Music is one of the most rewarding ways to express one’s faith – but why, in the case of Christian rock, does it always seem to be crappy music?

Tree By Leaf, a Waldo County-based three-piece, eschews the mainstream and produces Christian music that’s original, thought-provoking and quietly beautiful. Though the lyrical content deals first and foremost with lead songwriter Garrett Soucy’s personal faith, it’s anything but just another Christian rock band.

“We’ve played at the Cornerstone Festival, which is kind of like a Christian music festival for people that are subculture rather than mainstream,” said Soucy, speaking from his home in Montville one morning this week. “That’s the only Christian venue we play when we play the folk circuit. We try not to play Christian market gigs. We don’t want to put God’s name on the market. I’d rather do what we do and honor God with our lives.”

The 28-year-old Soucy, wife and co-vocalist Siiri Soucy and keyboardist Cliff Young have been making music together since 1999, and over the course of three albums they have crafted a gentle yet powerful sound – as sweet and simple as old bluegrass and country songs, but with the moral muscle of some of Garrett Soucy’s personal favorites, such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

The last album, “Of the Black and the Blue,” features Garrett Soucy’s scruffy but intricate acoustic guitar work, Siiri Soucy’s lonesome, lovely harmonies and the lithe piano work of Young. Now Tree By Leaf is working on a fourth release, initially titled “One Long Funeral Song.”

“We’re kind of expanding our idea of playing with a full band,” said Soucy. “We’ve got some other instrumentalists in to give it a little more of an older, gospel-rock feel.”

Rooted in folk but regularly bringing in elements of country and jazz, Tree By Leaf brings to mind one of its alt-Christian contemporaries: writer and composer Sufjan Stevens, though Soucy says he is not familiar with Stevens’ music. On the new album, Soucy feels his songwriting has achieved more depth, just as his spiritual life has.

“I feel like it’s a lot more spiritually provocative,” he said. “What you say in your speech comes from the abundance of who you are. I am much more molded in my faith, so what I say shows that.”

Soucy could pack up, move to Boston or elsewhere, get a record deal and probably make a lot more money. He certainly has the talent.

But he doesn’t seem to mind living in the wilds of Montville. Nor is money or fame his end goal. This is the life he and his band have chosen.

“We consider it a lot, but we’ve decided not to,” he said. “If we moved to a city to push it and try to get a major label deal, we would be building up an image. In order to get big, you have to create a buzz and make people think you’re better than other people. I don’t want to try to elevate ourselves like that. We have enough to concern ourselves with, with just waking up and trying to be good people.”

Tree By Leaf will play at 8 tonight, March 17, at the Montville Grange Hall with Portland singer-songwriter Subject Bias. The band will also play at the Big Easy Blues Club in Portland with Maine band The Coming Grass on Saturday, March 18. For information, visit www.treebyleaf.org. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.

Supporting Acts

. First off – mea culpa. In my St. Patrick’s Day musical roundup in last week’s column, I mentioned that Irish party band the Napper Tandies would be playing at the Sea Dog in Bangor before they play at the Bear Brew Pub in Orono on St. Paddy’s day. They are not, in fact, playing at the Sea Dog, but are actually playing at 4 p.m. the Whig and Courier Pub in downtown Bangor.

. Secondly, it was announced earlier this week that the State Theatre in Portland will be rescheduling all shows slated for April and May because of fire code violations. Earlier this year the capacity of the theater was downsized considerably because of these violations, and now it has been shut down altogether – at least for the time being. There is no word yet on when the venue will reopen, but there won’t be any shows at the State Theatre for at least several months. Visit www.liveatthestate.com for updates.

. Finally, in a rather abrupt addition to the schedule, none other than indie-rock legends the Violent Femmes will rock the Loaf – Sugarloaf, that is – in the King Pine Room at the ski resort at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18. It’s a 21-plus show – sad, since the band has a loyal following of all ages. But for those able to go, it will be well worth the trip (along with maybe some end-of-the-season skiing). The self-titled debut album remains wildly popular nearly 25 years after its release.