Held By Trees are an English instrumental post rock project, founded by multi-instrumentalist David Joseph. The group's main influence is Talk Talk and Mark Hollis, specifically the albums The Colour Of Spring (1986), Spirit Of Eden (1988), Laughing Stock (1991), as well as Mark Hollis (1998).
The project was founded by Joseph during the first COVID-19 lockdown, he had previously collaborated with guitarist Tim Renwick who introduced him to Talk Talk audio engineer Phill Brown, who then got him in contact with percussionist Martin Ditcham, another Talk Talk associate. Through studio owner Steve Smith, he was also put in contact with guitarist Robbie McIntosh, an associate of Talk Talk, Paul McCartney and the Pretenders. The two then reached out to pianist Laurence Pendrous, woodwind player Andy Panayi (both of whom played on Mark Hollis), and to late era Talk Talk bassist Simon Edwards. They all agreed to join the project.
The group released their first album, Solace, in April 2022, charting on the indie and physical sales charts in the UK. It featured Joseph, McIntosh, Ditcham, Pendrous, Panayi, Edwards, Renwick, David Knopfler, Eric Bibb and Gary Alesbrook among others.
When the group started touring, they consisted of Joseph, McIntosh, Pendrous and Panayi, as well as bassist James Grant (formerly of David's previous bands BOSH and Chaos Curb) and drummer Paul Beavis (Andy Fairweather-Low and Robbie McIntosh Band). The group has since recorded two live albums, Solace ~ Live at Real World Studios and Live in the Field, featuring the usual touring group.
The group have also released a second EP, Eventide in September 2023, which features pieces written in the rehearsals for their first live dates, as well as improvised compositions, and was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. and features guests Grant Howard (Hammond organ, Wurlitzer piano, synths) and Matt Gainsford (additional guitar pad on "Grow Dark").
In 2024, the group teamed up with vocalist Martin Smith and guitarist Stuart Gerrard, both formerly of Delirious?, and recorded a new self titled EP, also featuring Grant Howard (Hammond organ, synth), Daniel Newberry (saxophone), Ryan Rich (synth bass), Anita Tatlow (vocals). The group also played two live dates with Smith in November 2024.
Held By Trees released their second full LP, Hinterland, in April 2025, returning to their instrumental sound. The album features many of the core musicians from previous releases but includes Charlie Hollis, son of Mark Hollis, on piano on four pieces. Also contributing parts; Rob Coombes of Supergrass, Matt Simms of Wire, Norman Westberg of Swans, Robert Poss of Band of Susans, Simon Scott of Slowdive, Mark Simnett, formerly of Bark Psychosis, and Simone Marie Butler of Primal Scream. The album explores themes of ambiguity and is more ambient and also more heavy than their largely pastoral debut.
Members Core Members and current live band David Joseph – guitar, piano, occasional vocals (2021–present) Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar (2021–present) Laurence Pendrous – piano, keyboards (2021–present) Andy Panayi – flute, saxophone, clarinet (2021–present) James Grant – double bass, bass (2022–present) Paul Beavis – drums (2022–present)
Studio contributors Martin Ditcham – drums, percussion Simon Edwards – bass, double bass Gary Alesbrook - trumpet Eric Bibb - guitar Charlie Hollis - piano Tim Renwick - guitar Ben Taylor - double bass Chris Mears - bowed guitar Steve Smith - Hammond organ David Knopfler - guitar Mike Smith - saxophone Phill Brown - sound effects, mix engineer Grant Howard - keyboards, synths Peter Moon - synthesiser, electric viola, piano, variophon Matt Gainsford - guitar Mary Apperley - cello Oskar Apperley - viola Tristan Apperley - violin Stuart Gerrard - guitar Martin Smith - vocals, guitar Daniel Newberry - saxophone Ryan Rich - synth bass Anita Tatlow - vocals Benjamin Tatlow - programming, keyboards, production Mark Simnett - drums, percussion Jen Macro - guitar Stephen Gilchrist - drums Norman Westberg - guitar Matt Simms - guitar Robert Poss - guitar Rob Coombes - Hammond organ Simon Scott - field recordings Simone Marie Butler - synthesisers, field recordings Chris Pedley - bass Mike Griffiths - guitar Tom Kay - guitar Justin Klienst - guitar James Sharp - guitar David Evans - tape loops, additional mixing Jonnie Walker - percussion, studio engineer Denis Blackham - mastering engineer
Discography
Album Solace (2022) Hinterland (2025)
EPs
Eventide (2023) Solace - Live at Real World Studios (2023) Held By Trees & Martin Smith (2024)
Singles
"Next to Silence" (2021) "In the Trees" (2021) "Lay Your Troubles Down" (2024)
References