Broken Prism Studios

Scattered Trees emerged from Chicago, Illinois, as an American indie rock band that captivated audiences between 2003 and their disbandment in 2012.¹ Their relatively brief but impactful presence in the indie rock scene of the late 2000s and early 2010s was characterized by deeply felt lyrics, often exploring melancholic themes, all delivered through a sound that seamlessly blended indie rock aesthetics with elements of pop and adult alternative music.¹ While the term “scattered trees” might evoke images of sparse woodland landscapes, this report will focus exclusively on the musical journey and artistic contributions of the band known as Scattered Trees.⁴

The story of Scattered Trees began with Nate Eiesland, who relocated from Brainerd, Minnesota, to Chicago in 2003.¹ Initially conceived as a solo endeavor, Eiesland embarked on a unique creative exercise, committing to writing one song each month and naming it after the corresponding month.¹ This early dedication to consistent songwriting likely played a crucial role in shaping Eiesland’s distinctive style and provided a solid foundation for the band’s future sonic direction. As Eiesland became more involved in the Chicago music scene, his solo project gradually transformed into a collaborative ensemble.¹ Key individuals joined the lineup, including Nate Eiesland’s wife, Alissa (who contributed vocals and keyboards), brothers Jason Harper (playing keyboards and guitar, as well as providing vocals) and Baron Harper (the band’s drummer), alongside Ryne Estwing (on bass and vocals) and Justin Eisenbraun (who played guitar and later departed).¹ The presence of two sets of siblings, the Eieslands and the Harpers, fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and a familial atmosphere within the group.¹⁹ These close interpersonal bonds likely contributed to the band’s tight musical interplay and the emotional resonance that often characterized their work.

The musical identity of Scattered Trees primarily resided within the indie rock genre, yet their sonic palette also incorporated notable elements of pop, adult alternative, and a pervasive undercurrent often described as “sadcore”.¹ Their signature sound was marked by Nate Eiesland’s yearning vocal delivery, deeply personal and heartfelt lyrics, intricately layered melodies, and a foundation of traditional rock instrumentation occasionally enhanced by subtle electronic textures.³ The label “sadcore” suggests a deliberate focus on introspective and frequently somber lyrical themes, a characteristic that likely appealed to a specific segment of the indie rock audience. Throughout their career, critics and listeners often drew comparisons between Scattered Trees and other prominent artists in the indie rock landscape, including Wilco, The Lonely Forest, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, Grandaddy, Radiohead, Coldplay, Band of Horses, and The Boxer Rebellion.² These comparisons offer a valuable frame of reference for understanding the band’s sonic territory and their potential appeal to fans of these more established acts. The sheer variety of these comparisons also hints at a multifaceted sound that drew inspiration from various corners of the indie rock spectrum. One distinctive aspect of their musical approach, as noted by Nate Eiesland himself, was their deliberate use of build-ups within their songs.³¹ This dynamic approach to song structure suggests a thoughtful consideration of how to create emotional impact through the arrangement and progression of their music.

Scattered Trees built a discography that reflected their evolving sound and thematic concerns. Their official releases included studio albums and an EP, each contributing to their narrative as a band.

Hollohills, released in 2004, is recognized as Nate Eiesland’s initial debut album, predating the full formation of the band.² Their sophomore effort, Song For My Grandfather, arrived in 2006 following the passing of Eiesland’s grandfather, with the album deeply exploring themes of nostalgia.¹ This early instance of personal loss significantly influencing their music foreshadowed a recurring theme in their later work. In 2007, the band released the Heart of Glass EP through 4AM Records.¹ Sympathy, released in 2011, marked their third studio album and is arguably their most significant work. Conceived as a deeply personal and cathartic response to the death of Nate Eiesland’s father, the album was described as a “labor of love”.³ Notable singles from Sympathy included “A Conversation About Death on New Year’s Eve” and “Love and Leave”.² The album also featured remix versions of the track “Four Days Straight”.³² The profoundly personal context surrounding the creation of Sympathy likely contributed to its strong emotional impact on both listeners and critics. The central themes of grief and loss within the album are crucial to understanding this pivotal period in the band’s artistic trajectory.

Critical reception to Scattered Trees’ music was varied, with their 2011 album Sympathy drawing the most significant attention. The album garnered generally favorable reviews, achieving a Metascore of 69 based on four critical assessments.⁴² Several positive reviews lauded the album’s emotional depth, its evident sincerity, and the quality of its songwriting, with at least one critic placing it among the best records of 2011.²¹ This positive feedback suggests that the band’s intensely personal and emotional approach to their music resonated strongly with many critics, particularly given the weighty themes explored in Sympathy. Some reviews favorably compared their sound to that of established indie rock bands, further solidifying their place within the genre.³ However, not all critical responses were uniformly positive. Some mixed or less enthusiastic reviews pointed to perceived shortcomings in production quality, a lack of distinct originality, or perceived weaknesses in the vocal performances.³⁰ Comparisons to prominent bands like Coldplay and Radiohead were sometimes used in a less complimentary manner.³⁰ These more critical perspectives indicate that while the emotional core of the band’s music was often acknowledged, some critics found aspects of their sonic execution or overall impact to be somewhat lacking or derivative. Specific songs from Sympathy, such as “Love and Leave” and “Four Days Straight,” were frequently highlighted in both positive and mixed reviews.²⁶ The considerable focus on Sympathy in critical discussions underscores its importance within Scattered Trees’ overall body of work and narrative, likely due to the deeply personal circumstances that informed its creation.

Scattered Trees actively engaged in live performances and touring to connect with their audience. They established a strong presence within the Chicago club circuit, honing their live show and building a local following.¹⁹ Their participation in significant music industry events, such as South by Southwest (SXSW) in 2011, and potentially in earlier, unofficial capacities, provided them with crucial opportunities for broader exposure and industry recognition.²⁷ The band embarked on national tours, including a summer tour in 2011, and also toured alongside The Alternate Routes and The Parlotones.⁴⁴ These touring efforts, particularly with more established acts, would have significantly expanded their reach and introduced their music to new audiences. Specific tour dates and venues from their 2011 tours included stops in Iowa City, New York City, Brooklyn, Toronto, Denver, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, West Hollywood, San Diego, Chicago, and Minneapolis.⁴⁶ They also performed at notable venues such as First Avenue in Minneapolis.³⁶ One review of a live performance highlighted the band’s evident musical talent and versatility on stage but also noted a potential lack of a strong interpersonal connection with the audience.²⁰ This suggests a possible contrast between the intense emotionality of their recorded music and their stage presence, which might have affected the overall experience for some concertgoers.

The journey of Scattered Trees concluded in 2012, leading to the formation of a new musical project by its core members.¹ The departure of the Harper brothers, Jason and Baron, from the band in August 2012 marked a significant turning point.¹ Following this change, the remaining members – Nate Eiesland, Alissa Eiesland (who later performed under the name Alissa Ricci), and Ryne Estwing – decided to embark on a new creative venture, establishing a band called On An On.³³ This decision reflected their desire for a fresh start and a shift in their musical direction, with On An On incorporating more prominent electronic elements and drum machines into their sound.³³ The final performances by the group still occurred under the name Scattered Trees, albeit without the participation of the Harper brothers.¹ On An On went on to release two studio albums, Give In (2013) and And the Wave Has Two Sides (2015), before announcing a hiatus in June 2016.⁵⁰ The creation of On An On represents a clear evolution for the central creative forces behind Scattered Trees, driven by a desire to explore new sonic landscapes after the emotionally charged period of their earlier work. The subsequent hiatus of On An On suggests a potential pause, if not conclusion, to this particular lineage of musical exploration.

In retrospect, Scattered Trees made a notable contribution to the indie rock scene during their years of activity. Their music was characterized by its sincere and often melancholic lyrical content, coupled with a sonic blend of indie rock sensibilities and pop-leaning melodies. The emotional depth and intensely personal nature of their songwriting, particularly evident in the album Sympathy, served as a powerful and cathartic outlet for themes of grief and loss. While their time as a band was relatively brief, they cultivated a dedicated fanbase and garnered positive critical attention for their heartfelt approach. Ultimately, Scattered Trees stands as a poignant example of a band that, despite its limited lifespan, left a lasting impression on the indie rock landscape of the early 2010s, and whose music continues to resonate with listeners who value emotional vulnerability and sincerity in songwriting.

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