Krist Novoselić plays bass and accordion in the group. A founding member of the band Nirvana, Novoselić helped change the face of music in 1991 with the release of Nevermind. Novoselić's strong and melodic bass helped make that one of the best known Rock records of all time. The success of Nirvana allowed Novoselić to move to his home in Wahkiakum County in 1992. Krist loves the environment and culture of the Lower Columbia River.
Novoselić has played in a few bands since Nirvana, but Giants in the Trees is his first real local musical project. How did these locals come together? They all met at the Skamokawa Grange and, after an impromptu acoustic jam, made a call for another, albeit louder, session.
Having the hall to themselves, Novoselić joined musicians Ray Prestegard, Jillian Raye and Erik Friend in wasting no time. This group of players wrote two songs in the first two days of playing, Sasquatch and Center of the Earth.
Feeling they were at home with each other, a new Rock band came together. Giants in the Trees started playing live in the area. Their first show was a benefit for the old Grange hall.
Ray Prestegard was born and raised on the Lower Columbia. He brings accomplished musicianship to the band with electric guitar, lap slide and box guitar.
Jillian Raye does vocals, banjo and guitar for Giants in the Trees. Originally from California, Raye brings a keen sense of vocal phrasing to her strong singing style. She also created and performed all of the rich harmony vocals on the album.
Erik Friend is also a former Californian. Moving to Seattle to work for Microsoft, Friend is a true techie. He too found his home, off the grid, in Wahkiakum. His musical talents go beyond percussion to include mandolin and other acoustic string instruments. He also recorded the band's album at the Murky Slough studio.
It took a year of playing, experimenting, and fun times for Giants in the Trees to compile their twelve-song record. There is definitely an Americana sound - it's fair to hear some classic Country with the banjo, slide and accordion. The band is not offended by the word schmaltz because with their recordings and live performances, the goal is to have as much fun as possible.
There was no idea behind forming the band's sound. Rather, it comes together through the various musical skills individual members bring into the work. Novoselić rocks the accordion and bass. Prestegard brings mastery of six and four string instruments. Raye plays six string banjo, does bass guitar duty, and drives the sound with top vocal chops. Friend loves to lay down a groove. It all comes together for an original sound.
That is just the sound. The group really is a song band. Every tune on the record has its own personality. There are different sounds and rhythms, producing a real mixed bag of songs. One tune can have a waltz accordion and slide, while the next a heavy fuzz bass under a deep Electronica groove. There is melody from start to finish. This is just this writer trying to make an observation, however, there is nothing like listening to the music yourself.
Giants in the Trees have built a sound around old-school Pop music. They follow musical traditions, while at the same time, have their feet firmly rooting in today. Again, the band is fun. There are so many melodies to really stomp your feet to. All the while, you can still sit back and just listen, and you really should!
Currently, Giants in the Trees are playing shows in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Their self-titled album is also self-released and available on your preferred online music service.
Sasquatch
Giants in the Trees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wandered to the outside
No light, and in disguise
Deep in the tall trees
Echos in the pines
I recognized your melody
Wild man
Invisible between... dimensions directions
And I can hear footsteps following
I can feel eyes watching over me
Hiding in the silence
There's giants in the trees
Stride in
Through the thickets to the devil's club
Hard skinned but can you feel the pain?
Swim in the deep seas
Rest on mountain peaks
Your cry thunders the waterfall's... Veins
Wild man
Where do you sleep?
Invisible between... dimensions directions
And I can hear footsteps following
I can feel eyes watching over me
Hiding in the silence
There's giants in the trees.
The lyrics to "Sasquatch" by Giants in the Trees paint a picture of a solitary night walk that takes a strange turn. The singer of the song finds themselves in a forest with no light, and no clear sense of direction. They hear music in the distance, and realize it is a melody they recognize. As they continue to wander, they feel a sense of being followed and watched, and the lyrics speculate that it might be the legendary Sasquatch, a figure of lore in the Pacific Northwest.
The chorus of the song, with its repeated question of "Wild man, where do you sleep?" addresses the mystery of Sasquatch as an elusive creature, inhabiting a world that is both connected to and separate from our own. The lyrics suggest that the Sasquatch may be hiding between "dimensions and directions," echoing the idea that this creature is something more than just a physical entity. The imagery of "giants in the trees" adds to the sense of mystery and wonder that permeates the song, suggesting that there is a presence in nature that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Overall, "Sasquatch" is a haunting and enigmatic song that touches on larger themes of our relationship to the natural world and the unknown. Through its evocative lyrics, it invites the listener to imagine a world that is full of mysteries and beauty, where even the shadows can come alive.
Line by Line Meaning
One night
On a particular night
I wandered to the outside
I strolled out into the open wilderness
No light, and in disguise
The surroundings were pitch-dark, and I was in a disguise
Deep in the tall trees
Far into the height of the trees
Echos in the pines
Sounds reverberating through the pine trees
I recognized your melody
I could identify your tune
Wild man
Untamed creature
Where do you sleep?
Where do you rest?
Invisible between... dimensions directions
Concealed amidst dimensions and directions
And I can hear footsteps following
I perceive a sound of steps approaching
I can feel eyes watching over me
I sense a presence observing me
Hiding in the silence
Concealed within the silence
There's giants in the trees
Colossal beings inhabit the trees
Stride in
Walk boldly towards
Through the thickets to the devil's club
Navigating through thorny bushes to reach a dangerous location
Hard skinned but can you feel the pain?
Despite having a firm exterior, are you capable of feeling hurt?
Swim in the deep seas
Dive into the bottomless oceans
Rest on mountain peaks
Relax on the summits of mountains
Your cry thunders the waterfall's... Veins
Your shout echoes through the streams of waterfalls
Contributed by Avery F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SpyCakes
This sounds great, been a fan for a long time! Can't wait to hear future works.
@sharktheghost
Good music taste man!
@braksandrew3666
This band isn't just Krist. It's a band. Artsy folksy grungy vibe. Incredible stage presence. Keep it coming. Go see 'em.
@frfrfr751
Listen to Ray Prestegard's albums (search for these words on Google and you'll find previews of his songs), he is truly a great artist!
@1joshjosh1
ummmmm...yah it is.
Do you think this schlock-rock(to quote Krist) band that sounds like 1000 other bands would be heard of if it was not for him.
Come on now.
Nope.
@JahBreed
Krist, who? Those vocals, Dawg.
@jasonhalliday7187
@@JahBreed Yeah, I totally agree... her voice is amazing!
@Shayne_Mushin
Thank you Captain Obvious
@JillianRayeSunbean
Thanks for all of your support ! <3 Album coming soon!!!!! Cant wait for you all to hear it .
@NateLinehan666
Great stuff! Great singing!