Branches

Branches is an indie rock group from Los Angeles, United States, active since 2010. It is an independent, self-writing and self-producing collective led by Natalie Nicoles.

Formation and line-up

The band forms in a living room in the suburbs of Los Angeles in 2010. The group begins as a friendship-based project and starts out with members including Natalie, Tyler, Jacob, Mitch and Mike. The verified membership lists Natalie Nicoles as the current member.

Style and recordings

Branches is described as indie/folk rock and also associated with indie-folk-rock. Its early work includes the EPs O, Light!, Cabin and Merry Christmas, followed by the full-length album Thou Art The Dream. The band’s songs cover doubt, faith, loneliness, love and hope, and its recordings use a wider instrumental range than the earlier releases, including ukulele, trombone, trumpet, violin and toy organ.

Live work and media appearances

The band plays venues in Southern California including the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and the Glass House in Pomona, where it first opens for Tyrone Wells. Its songs “Maps of Wars” and “Sleeper” are used in episodes of One Tree Hill, giving the group two television placements.

Release history and development

Branches records and writes its own material, and its early output is presented as an eight-song sample across O, Light! and Cabin. After a year of writing, recording and playing live, it releases Thou Art The Dream, a thirteen-song album. The band also continues to travel and perform along the west coast.

Comparisons

The group’s sound is compared with Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons and Freelance Whales.