treehouse talk.

“As kids my brother and I would say something inappropriate or vulgar around my mom and she would say, “that’s treehouse talk,” meaning that our words were something boys should talk about away from adults, or on their own,” says Smith. Treehouse talk (Alex Smith – Vocals and Guitar, Grant Wallace - Drums, Kyle Dobbs – Bass, Backing Vocals, and Bryan Carey – Lead Guitar), took on the phrase as their band name, implementing the motto as the foundation for their music.

Treehouse Talk was in the process of being formed when singer/songwriter, Alex Smith, played at an open mic night in Carrollton, GA with drummer, Grant Wallace, in December 2008. The two met that fall, and were both conscious of the other playing music. Wallace played only a kick drum, snare, and a hihat with a single stick due to the lack of equipment at the event. Smith chose to play mainly originals in the set including the song, “O’Child” that appears on their new EP “Nightmare Balloon.” Although, it was loads of fun for them to play with just drums and an acoustic guitar, their creation needed a new element; something bigger to thicken the space in between the guitar and drums.

Kyle Dobbs was playing bass with various local acts around and had played in some of the same spaces as Wallace over the years, while they both played with different bands. Smith approached Dobbs about playing, and Dobbs later approached Smith after he had hung it up with his other band. It seemed as if everyone was in. The band had a range of influences that shifts from person to person.

Smith’s influences ranged from Jeff Buckley, Brett Dennen, Kings of Leon, and Radiohead; Wallace’s list extends to Explosions in the Sky, Pedro the Lion, Company of Thieves, Death Cab for Cutie, Fear Before the March of Flames, Bon Iver, Mirah, and The Early November; and Dobbs’ from 311, Modest Mouse, Incubus, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. These different backgrounds took some time to mold into a direction. Several of Smith’s originals were tossed due to the sound not fitting with the direction that Treehouse Talk was collectively heading toward. As the band began to grow they began looking for another member. During this time Smith replaced his acoustic guitar, and worked a day job to be able to afford the Epiphone Sheraton B that he currently plays. The band acquired a PA for practices from a close friend that up and moved to California.

In the summer of 2009, Treehouse Talk made their debut at one of Alley Cat’s open mic nights. In the month of July, they played numerous times around Adamson Square and a few house parties, one of which they opened up for Atlanta’s own, O’Brother.

In September 2009, Wallace and Smith were visiting a show at the Alley Cat, where they spotted Bryan Carey on stage improvising with the band of the night. Smith and Wallace propositioned Carey that night and a week later they were all practicing. September 18, 2009, Carey made his debut at the Alley Cat as Treehouse talk’s newest member. Carey’s influences ranged from bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Mars Volta, and Tool.

In November 2009, the band made its way to Nashville, TN, bringing along their friend Jessica Sheffield, an aspiring opera singer, for close listening as well as additional vocal harmony. The project was recorded under producer, Nick Spezia (Ocean Way Studios), at his home studio in Nashville. Around a year later, Treehouse Talk has finished their first EP titled, “Nightmare Balloon,” including five tracks; “Come out Sweet Birds, Bloom, Spontaneous! Combustion?, O’Child, and Smile (and let it go).”

Treehouse Talk provides a shared experience with their listener. With influences from the Sixties, modern folk, and indie rock, they create dynamic music accessible to a broad audience. With a blend of dissonance, ambient melodies, and insightful lyrics, their songs are living organisms with often surprising instrumental crescendos. Smith explores topics from nostalgia of the past, the creativity of the present, and the transformative perception we can have toward how we think about ourselves in the world.