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BigBee of the Whitetree's Debut EP 'Fairytale Dust' has charted
#3 at KRNU- Lincoln, NE........#11 at KGAR- Lemoore, CA..... #27 at KRCC- Colorado Springs.
In addition it has received support at over 60 radio stations throughout North America. Check out the maps for stations. - College Radio Report for 2011
A couple of months ago we gave you the good natured, gentle, hippy inspired folk of BigBee of the Whitetree – his debut EP Fairytale Dust (what else?) has been a lovely, calming antidote to the hectic nature of everyday life – a reminder of when things were simpler, more naive even, and when what mattered most of all was getting together, chilling out and having a good time.
We love the EP for its lack of pretension, its willingness to proudly wear heart on sleeve, and an unashamed belief that we can still all get along in easygoing harmony should we so desire. Let yourself be charmed - The Mad Mackerel
In the eyes of the political class the people are seen as little more than pawns to be manipulated with hysterical language. While they’re scaring us you can guarantee they’ve cut back on nothing and their bank accounts have only grown. With all that not in mind, find temporary and relative sanctuary by listening to “Beautiful” (peyote version) from the album, Fairytale Dust. - Parasites & Sycophants
Beautiful by the oddly named Bigbee of the Whitetree is pure, timeless campfire folk. It reminds me of America with the merest hint of Fleet Foxes. - The Devil Has the Best Tuna
Lightly psychedelic folk on the 5-song EP Fairytale Dust from Matthew BigBee, a singer/songwriter from the San Juan Islands in Washington state. Somewhat along the lines of Damien Rice or Denison Witmer. Try "Beautiful (Peyote Version)". - WLUR FM
New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Green Light Go Entertainment) Some songs are perfect for sitting around the campfire, enjoying the company of friends and contemplating the interconnectedness of the universe. "Beautiful," the first song from Bigbee of the Whitetree's upcoming Fairytale Dust, is one of those songs for a good reason. Bigbee has lived in some amazing places, coastal California, a geodesic dome in Joshua Tree National Park and most recently on the San Juan Islands, but the motivating force behind his music is inner realization and harmonizing within the self. BigBee speaking about the title track "I am in a sea of projections observing humanity and the struggle. Alone in the wilderness I find comfort from a friend who reminds me I have the power in what I reflect back." Yes this is "Beautiful" a timeless song of acoustic guitar & simple Native American percussion. The vocal harmonies and bass round out this healing and positive tune. Download "Beautiful" now: http://glgpub.com/file_download/193/BigBee-of-the-Whitetree-Beautiful-peyote-version.mp3
BigBee of the Whitetree is currently hailing from a mountaintop in the San Juan Islands, United States. His brand of indie folk comes way by subjecting himself to a multitude of environments. Following BigBee's path to his new project Fairytale Dust requires taking a look into the adventurous journey that was (is).
In 2007, BigBee embarked on a long recording adventure. Inspired by the high desert he moved into a Geodesic Dome in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park. The recording environment was extreme. After 25 days of round the clock work, the engineer for the project quit due to unworkable and hazardous conditions. This left BigBee alone in the desert to continue. Upon finding a new musical direction, he decided to travel throughout the U.S., living out of a van with his wife and two little girls. With no real plan, the family hit the road for what would turn out to be two years.
During this time, BigBee released two albums under the name Revelatio and played a few dozen obscure shows. He often did work in the summers on an organic farm in Maine and his wife made artisan fruit pies to make ends meet. In April of 2009, BigBee was on a music tour of the Western U.S. when he visited a small island in the Pacific Northwest. Called by the surroundings, the family moved into a wooden structure at the top of a mountain. It was here that BigBee started to write, record and produce Fairytale Dust.
When asked about Fairytale Dust, BigBee stated, "I knew it was time to make a record that reflected the intimacy of a friendship. We gather, eat some good food, share some herb and I sing a few tunes." Joining BigBee on the album is good friend Armando Nunes (bass and vocal harmonies). You can even hear BigBee's little girls joining in the chorus line of the track titled "Because I Can."
In a review of Fairytale Dust, the music was described as "...low and slow, sort of a Kurt Cobain meets Fleet Foxes vibe. ...mellow and sweet with a bit of tang. Like a glass of lemon water on a hot day." - Jango Internet Radio. - T4C Top-40-Charts.com
Discography
Fairytale Dust EP~ released September 2011.........
It has charted #3 at KRNU- Lincoln, Nebraska. Reached #11 at KGAR- Lemoore, California and #27 at KRCC- Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition it has received support at over 60 radio stations throughout North America.
Pajama Session~ Live recording released in November 2011. It is available as a free digital download only. Contains 6 new songs yet to be released.
Photos
Bio
BigBee of the Whitetree is currently hailing from a mountain top in the San Juan Islands. It is there that BigBee crafts folk songs described by AOL music as “an intense trip through American melancholia, Appalachian arrangements and prophetic lyrics”.
Honesty, simplicity and unity are all indelible parts of BigBee of the Whitetree’s music. His study of the natural world and the relationship humankind has to it comes through in the psychedelic subject matters he sings about. In the summer of 2011 BigBee released a debut EP titled ‘Fairytale Dust’. It has charted #3 at KRNU- Lincoln, Nebraska. Reached #11 at KGAR- Lemoore, California and #27 at KRCC- Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition it has received support at over 60 radio stations throughout North America.
BigBee’s belief that a persons environment has a strong influence on the creative process would explain the Northwest references he has been likened to. The music has been described as “....low and slow, sort of a Kurt Cobain meets Fleet Foxes vibe....mellow and sweet with a bit of tang. Like a glass of lemon water on a hot day.’- Jango Internet Radio.
BigBee’s musical influences are recordings that capture the essence and roots of an artist. He seeks out compositions that have a timeless quality devoid of the current trends. Studying these gives BigBee insight to the qualities that can travel through the ages. Just a few examples include Miles Davis, early Jamaican recordings of Bob Marley & the Wailers, and the work of Gustavo Santaolalla.
“To me (BigBee) the creative process involves going into a dark space, like when one closes the eyes, from here I light a lantern with a melody....slowly things start to come into focus and a discovery is made.” BigBee has a passion for the common denominator that is present throughout the various creative mediums of the world. He often experiments with painting to see how the visual can influence the realm of audio. A few of his paintings are on the web site.
Since his early childhood travel and the exploration of America has been a big part of BigBee’s journey. His parents transitory lifestyle and somewhat gypsy approach to movement allowed BigBee to see the cultural difference environment can have on a society. Rather than identifying with any of them he choose to see the common ground that connects humanity. As a young adult, husband and father of 2 he has spent time living in each of the four corners of the U.S (Florida, Maine, California, Washington).
On November 4 of 2011 BigBee released a live album titled ‘Pajama Session’ it was recorded on a Sunday morning with his 8 year old daughter running the controls. “After some oatmeal my little girl got out a video camera and I put on a show for one of the most magical people in my life.” The recording contains 6 new songs yet to be released. It is available as a free digital download only. BigBee hopes to do some touring in 2012 and possibly make a full length studio album with some guest musicians. “I just never know where tomorrow will take me, but singing melodies is sure to be part of my day.”
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