THE TREEHOUSE

THE TREEHOUSE

The Treehouse are a quintet from Lincoln formed by guitarist and songwriter Markus Coulson in autumn 2009. The line-up centres on Emma Mersseman on lead vocals and includes Harriet Feaver on violin, Thomas A. Hughes on bass and Casey Howden on percussion. Their sound combines folk and alternative rock, with emphasis on vocal harmonies, layered interplay between the instruments and multiple songwriters.

Style and comparisons

The band’s songs mix Coulson’s songwriting with Mersseman’s soulful, haunting vocal style. Their music is described through references to folk and rock acts including Fleetwood Mac, The Dandy Warhols and Laura Marling, and other comparisons made for the band include Circulus, Mamas & Papas, early Jethro Tull, Pentangle, Tarras, Vertical Horizon, Train and Nickel Creek. Commentary on their work also notes dark, spooky folk elements, unpredictable lyrics and an experimental direction within contemporary folk.

Releases

The Treehouse release their first EP, Ore, shortly after the band is fully formed. It contains five tracks, including “Not a Home” and “What’s Up Now?”, and receives national press attention. Their second EP, There’s a Fear (Part 1), follows in 2011 and presents a darker, more eerie sound while keeping the band’s melodic and harmony-led approach. That release is recorded with producer Maurice Mulligan at BrickBeat Recording Studios in Lincoln.

Performances and support slots

The Treehouse play support slots for Mercury Prize-nominated folk musician Seth Lakeman and for Sunday Driver. They also perform at the national finals of Prezzo Live 2010 and appear at the Lincoln Beer Festival the same year.