Tall Tall Trees w/Christopher Paul Stelling

Tall Tall Trees is the musical id of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Savino, a pioneer in the realm of experimental, DIY banjo music. Accompanied by his trusty Banjotron 6500, a highly customized, electrified banjo and effects pedal setup, Savino has wowed audiences since the 2009 debut of his self-titled debut album with his eclectic and innovative blend of psychedelic folk, rock and world music. His work seems to actively evade comfortable definition, upon first listen one will recognize the tenderness of Cat Stevens, the melancholy introspection of Elliott Smith, the anthemic psychedelia of Pink Floyd, and a deep abiding respect for Earl Scruggs. Savino often performs solo, showcasing his fleet-footed loop pedal mastery, as well as alongside long-time collaborator and fellow innovator, Kishi Bashi. Tall Tall Trees latest release, A Wave of Golden Things was released in 2020 on Joyful Noise Recordings.

A Wave of Golden Things, his fourth studio album, opens with the distant crow of a rooster and takes off in a dust cloud of swirling banjo, drums and bass. The lead off track, “The Wind, She Whispers,” quickly evolves from a droning mountain melody into full-blown banjo funk, setting the precedent for an album of unexpected turns. Though the banjo is heavily featured, the influence of Pink Floyd, and Cat Stevens can be felt as much as banjo mavericks Earl Scruggs, and Bela Fleck.

Savino, who self-records and produces his music, abandoned the heavily-layered textures of 2017’s Freedays for a more organic, stripped-down approach, leaving his distinct voice and thoughtful lyrics as the centerpiece. Despite the sparse arrangements, Savino still manages to evoke the sonic imagery and pastoral landscapes that have often been hallmarks of Tall Tall Trees albums. Each of the eight songs that make up A Wave of Golden Things suggest a world unto itself, from the cosmic country-tinged, “Ask Me Again,” to the sprawling underwater lullaby “Deep Feels.”

Opting for an immersive experience over a traditional studio, Savino set up residence and a mobile recording rig on a hemp farm in the Appalachian mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina, where he now resides. Recorded in just under three weeks, with much of it arranged on the spot, the album maintains a sense of immediacy, celebrating raw performance over perfection. “I’m giving up on my expectations, let them go and see where it takes us,” Savino sings on “Expectations,” almost seeming to revel in this experimental process.

Savino’s voice, left unadorned, can be simultaneously gentle and strong, at times sage-like in delivery. On the album’s closing title track “A Wave of Golden Things,” his soft spoken meditations on mental health reflect a new maturity in his song craft and singing. As the song develops, Savino’s voice gains confidence and his whisper becomes a fragile cry, neither full-throated nor fully secure, but at home in a warm bed of upright piano and echoing tape delay. “We all need a little peace and love right now,” he sings as if he’s at the end of his breath.

Reflective of the dark and challenging times of today, Savino’s message is ultimately one of hope and finding peace of mind in the chatter of the modern world. The last chorus reaches towards a transcendent beauty in the darkness, and makes a promise: “a wave of golden things, it waits for you.”

Christopher Paul Stelling: Artist Bio
Christopher Paul Stelling is an American singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist renowned for his intricate
fingerpicking, impassioned vocals, and evocative storytelling. Born on February 19, 1982, in Daytona Beach,
Florida, Stelling has traversed the U.S. and Europe, performing in intimate venues, festivals, and theaters. His
music seamlessly blends elements of folk, blues, and American roots traditions, drawing comparisons to artists
like John Fahey, Mississippi John Hurt, and Bob Dylan.
Over the past decade, Stelling has released seven albums, including Songs of Praise and Scorn (2012), False
Cities (2013), Labor Against Waste (2015), Itinerant Arias (2017), Best of Luck (2020), Forgiving It All (2021), and
his latest double LP, Forgotten But Not Gone & Few and Far Between (2024). His 2020 album, Best of Luck,
produced by Ben Harper, marked a significant milestone in his career.
Stelling's dynamic performances have earned him appearances at prestigious events such as the Newport Folk
Festival and Winnipeg Folk Festival and features in major media outlets. Known for his relentless touring, he has
played thousands of shows across 48 states and 15 countries, solidifying his reputation as a modern-day
troubadour. He is currently based in Atlanta, Georgia