Ten Eighty Trees are the turquoise-clad ‘dungareecore’ alternative rock power trio from Newcastle-upon-Tyne taking influence from a variety of artists including Biffy Clyro, Basement, Don Broco, Foo Fighters and Deftones. Having played up and down the UK opening for acts such as Pulled Apart by Horses, We Are Scientists, The Subways, Toseland, Sundara Karma, False Heads, Mother Vulture, Lastelle and The Virginmarys, the Trees have formed a tight nit community of fans they affectionately refer to as the ‘Tree Army’, racking up over half a million streams online in the process. This summer the band released their eagerly anticipated EP, Bittersweet Coming of Age.
View Music Video for recent Single – “Bittersweet Coming Of Age” : https://youtu.be/QoyURm408bU?si=EhCUDLJLOj2v-6G4
The EP release was celebrated with a run of dates that included shows in London, Sheffield and York. But what was perhaps one of the most significant developments of this year, was the band’s self-curated music festival, Treevolution, in the Railway Quarter of Gateshead. The event which featured local luminaries such as Hivemind, Kieran Bowe, Hannah Robinson and more, sold out ahead of time and proved to be a true celebration of the North East grassroots music scene which Ten Eighty Trees are a significant part of.
Speaking about the band’s new single, frontman Nathan Newton said: “’Always On’ came from a period where I felt like I could never really switch off. I was constantly in that fight-or-flight mindset, and writing the song became a way of processing those feelings and, in a weird way, escaping the reality I was living in. I wanted the music to reflect that tension and restlessness, drawing on the heavier, groove-driven side of Queens of the Stone Age alongside the huge, emotional alt-rock of Nothing But Thieves. It’s about wanting something to just pull you out of that headspace and give you a moment to breathe.“
Review of Ten Eighty Trees – “Always On”
by Charlotte Bracken
There’s something immediately striking about “Always On”, the latest single from Newcastle-upon-Tyne alternative rock trio Ten Eighty Trees. It opens with a strong gradual build-up, creating a real sense of anticipation and tension before quickly developing into an energetic, guitar-driven, distorted rush.
That opening was probably one of my favourite parts of the track. I think it’s so important for a song to have a strong start because, for me, it’s like a magnet: it either pulls you in or pushes you away. In this case, the magnet was definitely facing the right way and pulled me straight in.
It really has that distinct modern heavy-rock feel. In those early moments, before the vocals are introduced, I couldn’t help but think it felt like the warm-up to a mosh pit, when everyone is starting to push and make space, ready for that spike to hit and for everyone to release all their energy. It’s such a strong way to start a song.
Nathan’s vocals are another big part of what makes the track stand out. There’s a distinctive tone to his delivery, which I really enjoyed, it’s got a real edge to it. I particularly loved the echoing vocals in the chorus. It’s a subtle addition, but it works really well, giving the chorus an extra layer. Even though it’s not something you necessarily notice straight away, it’s definitely there and adds to the overall sound.
The vocals also work incredibly well against the heavier instrumentation. There’s no battle between the two, instead, they feel really well balanced, with the vocals staying clear while the guitars, bass and drums provide plenty of weight without tipping the scale.
I also love that you can actually hear the lyrics clearly. I often find with some modern rock that the heavy instrumentation can sometimes do the majority of the work, while the lyrics feel like they’ve been thrown together almost as an afterthought. That’s definitely not the case with Ten Eighty Trees. The lyrics are strong and considered.
Musically, the song is all about momentum. Once it reaches its peak, it doesn’t really let up, keeping that high-energy feel right through to the end. The guitar, bass and drums give the track plenty of punch, and the arrangement keeps everything moving rather than allowing it to settle. This actually suits the subject matter perfectly.
Frontman, Newton, explained that the song was written during a period when he felt unable to switch off, constantly stuck in a fight-or-flight mindset. You can really hear and resonate with that feeling in the music. Rather than simply telling you about that sense of restlessness, the band have managed to build it into the track itself and actually make you feel that way as a listener. It feels tense, urgent and constantly moving, which makes the song feel even more authentic.
For a band already making their mark on the North East grassroots scene, “Always On” feels like a really solid step forward. Ten Eighty Trees manage to bring a heavier edge to their alternative rock sound without losing the melodic factors that keep the track clear and meaningful.
If modern alternative rock is your thing, or you’re simply looking for something new to listen to, “Always On” is definitely worth giving a go. The combination of heavy instrumentation and distinctive vocals makes this a track that grabbed my attention and one I’d definitely recommend.
It’ll certainly be getting a few blasts in the car from me.
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