LIAT playing at Muskego for the "Jammin' on Janesville" Festival this Friday, July 5th
LIAT featured in the News Graphic of the North Shore
Life In A Tree is a Grafton alternative rock band made up of, from left, guitarist and vocalist Tyler Miller, vocalist and bass player Molly Lutz, drummer Jimmy Cooper, guitarist and vocalist DJ Underwood, and keyboardist and vocalist Brenden Fugate. Photos by Maggie Quick
Life In A Tree takes five Grafton teens to new musical heights
by Maggie Quick -News Graphic Staff
Grafton — Life In A Tree, a youthful alternative band composed of five rising sophomores at Grafton High School, has only been around for about a year but is ready for the big time. After all, they’re playing Summerfest twice this year.
“Bands would kill to have a shot at Summerfest,” Jimmy Cooper, the band’s drummer, said. “We have two.”
Cooper, along with vocalist and bass player Molly Lutz, guitarist and vocalist Tyler Miller, guitarist and vocalist DJ Underwood and keyboardist and vocalist Brenden Fugate, is proving that age is only a number. Life In A Tree will be at Summerfest Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on the K-Nation/Cascio stage and Tuesday on the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage for the Wisconsin Association for Music Industry Youth Showcase. The band will also be opening for Dot Dot Dot at Cedarburg’s Summer Sounds in Cedar Creek Park on July 19 at 6:30 p.m.Cooper said the band feels “privileged” to open for them.
“I think they were matched really well with these guys,” Terry Lutz, Molly’s father and the band manager, said. “Each guy switches off singing and that’s how these guys do it. (Dot Dot Dot) is extremely talented at their craft.”
Life In A Tree is ranked No. 1 for alternative music in the Milwaukee area onReverbnation.com, a nationally recognized indie music website. The band has been ranked first for about a month, after being in second place since April. The rankings are calculated through video and song plays.
“It shows that people are interested in our music,” Terry Lutz said of the ranking.
The band even won the Milwaukee Battle of the Bands at the Miramar Theatre in May, where it had its own security guard.
“That was pretty epic,” Miller said.
Terry Lutz said the adult competition at the battle wasn’t a concern.
“We don’t want to be in teen stuff,” Terry Lutz said. “We want to look beyond that.”
Much of the band’s success can be contributed to youthful enthusiasm. The band has created songs at sleepovers using Wii Rock Band and harnesses competitive energy for competitions from Cooper, Miller and Fugate, who are all wrestlers. And while most young adults today try to forget the embarrassing email addresses they made in middle school, Life In A Tree took Cooper’s old email address, which included the phrase “I live in a tree,” and turned it into their band name.
The band got its start when Cooper, Miller and Underwood played together in a band for a sixth-grade talent show.
“We thought, ‘Boy, this is a lot of fun! We want to do it for real,’” Cooper said.
The boys brought Fugate on board to play piano so they would have a different sound, according to Cooper. Then, in eighth grade, Cooper went to every show of “Bye Bye Birdie” at Long John Middle School to scout for another vocalist. That’s when he first heard Molly Lutz sing. After the last show, he gave her a rose and asked her if she would be in the band.
“I thought the whole concept of being in a band in middle school was different for a girl,” Molly Lutz said of her initial reaction. “But I’m finding this a lot of fun. I got used to them ... They’ve just become my brothers.”
The boys agree that their first few practices were awkward but they’ve grown close to each other.
“Now she makes fun of us like we make fun of each other,” Fugate said.
The band has about 18 original songs and 30 covers in its repertoire, one album already out (“Trapped in My Treehouse,” March 2013) and another on its way.
“This summer is going to be the big test for (“Trapped”),” Terry Lutz said. “The response has been great for people who have it.”
Fans can buy the CD or MP3 at the band’s website, Lifeinatreeband.com, where a schedule of upcoming shows can also be found. The band created the album at Batcave Recording Studios in Bayview with owner Sam Malaj, who has now become an unofficial part of the team, according to Terry Lutz.
“He really became fond of the guys,” Lutz said. “They really hit it off.”
To the band members’ surprise, they recorded vocals in the bathroom of the studio.
“When we first saw the place we wouldn’t have expected our CD to come out of it,” Fugate said. “(Malaj) is a genius.”
When they got a copy of their final product, the band did what any self-respecting teenagers would do: “We got whiplash from head banging,” Cooper said.
The band also has two music videos, both directed by Brady Palubiski, a friend of the band who hopes to go into the film industry, according to Cooper. The members agree that “Something New,” their first song with a music video, is the highlight of their work.
“It represents us,” Molly Lutz said.
The second video was made for “Josh’s Song,” which is about Josh Davis-Joiner, a senior basketball player at GHS who died last year.
“That was kind of an emotional one,” Underwood said.
Davis-Joiner was in the same grade as Cooper’s sister; Miller’s brother was on the basketball team with him; and he often came over to Underwood’s house.
“We had to do a video for it because of the message we put out,” Miller said.
The band has been practicing every day in the Lutzes’ basement now that school is out. Their rehearsals are usually two to three hours long. Their writing process is spontaneous but doesn’t always include Rock Band.
“A few of us will come up with lyrics and then a few of us will come up with music, or the opposite of that (will happen),” Miller said.
Before Summerfest, the band will be playing at Mequon-Thiensville’s Family Fun Before the 4th Saturday at 3 p.m. The members hope their success continues so they can make a career out of their music.
“It’s something we love,” Miller said. “If you can make a career of it, it’s not really work.”
They are also optimistic about managing their schedule once school starts up again, even though Molly Lutz hopes to be in more GHS theatre productions. For now, the band members are focusing on doing what they love.
“Music is pretty much my life and it’s cool to be able to share that with friends,” Underwood, who has 24 guitars, said.
And of course, it’s still pretty cool to be able to say you have your own CD, according to Miller: “I’m the only kid in school who can play my music and sing along.”
LIAT will be playing in Thiensville/Mequon this Saturday, June 29th at the "Family Fun before the Fourth" Festival at 3:30pm
Molly's uncle Myles and the amazing "Myles Hayes Jazz Quintet" from Chicago will be performing as well. http://familyfunbeforethefourth.com/
Life In A Tree - Summer Tour Schedule
Life In A Tree: playing Summerfest on the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage - July 2nd for the WAMI youth showcase
Greek Fest at State Fair Park - Friday, June 21st at 7:30pm
Official Release of our "JOSH's Song" music video
The full Story that inspired the song & music video:
Grafton basketball player Davis-Joiner dies
By Mark Stewart of the Journal Sentinel
Jan. 16, 2012
Grafton boys basketball coach Kevin McKenna didn't know it at the time, but Josh Davis-Joiner's final play in a game was a fitting one.
"His last play as a high school player was a slam dunk with a ton of emotion and a ton of spirit," McKenna said.
Davis-Joiner, a senior, died Monday evening after collapsing during the early part of practice. He was given CPR immediately and then tended to by a nurse who was in the building. McKenna said Davis-Joiner never regained consciousness.
Greg Kabara, principal of John Long Middle School in Grafton, informed staff of the death through an email Monday night. At the top of the district's website, it asks for prayers for Davis-Joiner's family.
According to Kabara's email, extra counselors will be on staff during the school day Tuesday to help students cope with the death.
Davis-Joiner, a 6-foot-2 guard/forward, was averaging 3.3 points per game. Defense was his forte, and McKenna would use him on the opposing team's top guard or forward.
More than his passion to defend, however, McKenna remembered Davis-Joiner as a hard worker who worked to improve his grades so that he could get to play this season.
"He worked at (his grades) and worked at it and came to every practice. He pushed every player. He pushed himself and this year he didn't have any grade problems. He was a model student.
"He was a great character kid. Unbelievable person. Hard worker in and out of the classroom. When you want a son, it's Josh Davis-Joiner."
"It was impossible not to smile whenever you talked to Josh. We were blessed to have him in our building....a tragic and terrible loss."
According to McKenna, Davis-Joiner attended the Marquette men's basketball game with his family Monday.
The coach fondly recalled how Davis-Joiner teased him about his new haircut at practice.
"He said, 'Coach, you need to do some kind of design in your head,' " McKenna said. "That's Josh. He's got a great personality. Engaging kid. Warm smile. Friend to everybody. This is a tragedy. This is just a tragedy."
http://fox6now.com/tag/josh-davis-joiner/
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/137470413.html
Big Announcement: Life In A Tree will be playing Summerfest on Sunday, June 30th at 1:30pm on the K-Nation/Cascio Music Stage
LIAT wins the Milwaukee "Battle of the Bands" at the Miramar Theatre
Life In A Tree: featured in the Wauwatosa NOW publication by Michael Runyon
Wisconsin School Music Association evaluators rate the band Reckless Abandon from Catholic Memorial and Muskwonago high schools during Launchpad, a competition for 15 area alternative and rock bands hosted by the at Wauwatosa East High School on May 10. Photo By C.T. Kruger
May 15, 2013 7:33 a.m
Blasting guitars, thundering drums and a chorus of voices echoed through Wauwatosa East's halls May 10. The music came from band students, but not your typical band students.
They were rock band students and they played to win. Over 15 area bands performed as part of Launchpad Wisconsin's competition to earn a day in the Summerfest spotlight.
Only three advanced to the state competition, but all who shared the stage walked away with a new understanding.
To be selected to compete in one of the four regional competitions, a band must have demo songs recorded and reviewed by a panel of judges. If they make the cut, they can compete and, if they win top three in their regionals, can move to state.
All who compete at the state competition in Madison on June 8 get to play in Summerfest. The big winner gets a Les Paul award.
Taking it to heart
One band, Grafton High School's Life in a Tree, did not make it to state. While they did not beat the stiff competition from finalists Thief and Rascal of James Madison Memorial, Relatively Blue of Delavan-Darien and Second Time Around of Arrowhead Union / Slinger, they are proud of their performance and took the judge's feedback to heart.
"People think that high schoolers get together in their garage and start playing," Launchpad Program Director Tim Wurgler said. "No. These are very refined performances and they take the comments of the judges very seriously."
Members of Life in a Tree will be taking that feedback into the recording studio for their second album. That's right: The band, composed of high school freshmen, already has a full, six-song album and will be working on their second. Their pianist, Brendon Fugate, said they have over 20 unrecorded originals as well.
Their debut album, "Trapped in My Treehouse," recorded last summer, is nothing to sneeze at either. The recording consists of highly-polished garage rock that can move with tidal waves of ferocious energy one minute and melancholy piano the next. The album provides listeners with a hint of good things to come from the young five-piece.
"They (the judges) had some really cool things to say about everything, just the energy we showed on stage," drummer Jimmy Cooper said, adding that their Launchpad performance was the best the band had put on. "He said he liked how we tried things that were different and risky."
One of the risky things the band tried was approaching the vocals in a very democratic fashion. Each member sings on their album and performances, lending a variety of sound to the band.
Planting seeds
Launchpad will not be their last competition, either. The band is gearing up to play at the Miramar for Battle of the Bands on May 25. Their manager, singer and bassist Molly Lutz's father Terry Lutz, has them playing gigs at least once a month. They will also be playing at the Summerfest grounds for Greek fest later this year.
Terry Lutz is not the only means of support for the band. Nearly every member of the band picks their parents, grandparents or another family member as an inspiration or mentor on their bios on the band's website.
"I'm extremely proud of her and the guys," Terry Lutz said. "They always rise to the occasion no matter how big and I'm really proud for them. Their support network is excellent. All the parents are on board and they really support the kids and their music."
Announcement: Life In A Tree opening for Dot Dot Dot
Summer Sounds Concert board announces that "Life In A Tree" will be opening up for "Dot Dot Dot" on Friday, July 19th @ Cedar Creek Park in Cedarburg , WI.
Life In A Tree - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal Article by Piet Levy
Youthful groups compete for a shot at gigs at Summerfest, VansWarped Tour
Piet Levy | Local Beat May 2, 2013 5:19 p.m.
Members of Life in A Tree rehearse: Tyler Miller (from left, front), Molly Lutz and D.J. Underwood. In back are Jimmy Cooper and Brendan Fugate. Michael Sears - Milwaukee JS photographer
Life in a Tree has top gear, a steady catalog of covers and originals, a flashy website and a solid EP inspired by alt-rock acts like Fall Out Boy, Paramore and blink-182.
But because the band members are 14- and 15-year-old freshmen at Grafton High School, they can't play many clubs in the Milwaukee area, and "it's hard to be taken seriously" by adults, or even by their friends, said drummer Jimmy Cooper, 15.
"A lot of people don't realize how much dedication and work goes into it," added keyboardist Brendan Fugate, also 15.
But the Wisconsin School Music Association, an organization that provides statewide music programming activities and support for school music programs, understands. For the ninth year it's presenting Launchpad, a statewide band competition strictly for high schoolers who are grooming their sound in basements and garages (i.e. marching bands and wind ensembles need not apply).
Sixty bands have been split up to compete in four different battles, with judges sending three bands from each competition to the state finals June 8 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Four additional bands will also advance based on votes generated through Broadjam.com, a Madison-based music community website.
All the finalists will win a performance slot at Summerfest, with the winner receiving a second Summerfest gig, free recording time at Blast House Studios in Madison and a $5,000 Yamaha music package for their school music program. One of the finalists will also be chosen to play the Milwaukee stop of the Vans Warped Tour July 31 at the Summerfest grounds.
"That would be sick, oh, my gosh," Cooper said.
Life in a Tree is among the 15 bands performing at the Milwaukee regionals at 4 p.m. May 10 at Wauwatosa East High School, 7500 Milwaukee Ave. Most of the bands play a variation of rock, but among the competitors is blues group Relatively Blue featuring students from Delavan-Darien High School and Elkhorn Area High School, and the alternative jazz ensemble Blue Sway featuring Hartland Arrowhead High School students. Cover is $7 for adults, $6 for students and $3 for children ages 10 and younger.
"We went to the (Madison) regionals, and it was incredibly fun," said guitarist Tyler Miller, 15. "We can relate to all the bands in a way because they're younger. We're really, really psyched."
Contact Piet Levy at plevy@journalsentinel.com.
Life In A Tree - "Benefit Concert"
LIAT benefit Concert on April 13th at Grace Lutheran Church in Grafton. It starts at 6:30pm and is open to the public. Come support Meg's Mission to Nicaragua, helping people that need our help!!
NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT: Official release of their debut Album "Trapped in my Treehouse"
We recorded our album at the Batcave Recording studios in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was engineered and mixed by sound guru, Sam Malaj. We spent the weekend enclosed in the Batcave, only to come out to eat. The environment and vibe was ripe for the creation of something special. We feel the album captured our vocal and musical diversity, weaved with flowing and meaningful lyrics. We put our love and passion for music into every song, we hope you enjoy it!
Track listing:
1. Something New
2. JOSH's Song
3. Waste Of Thought
4. Free
5. Skaa Nation
6. Last Apology
Premier of our first Music Video "Something New"
This music video is for the song "Something New" off of our debut album "Trapped in my Treehouse" . Local director Brady Palubiski fought the freezing cold temperatures with us to film our first music video at an undisclosed location. The location resembled parts of Antarctica at times, it challenged our ability to sing or even move, but if Molly could tough it out the guys were forced to. It was so cold Tyler’s rubber bands on his braces almost seized up and froze, that could have spelled trouble for him singing the bridge of the song, however he pressed on. Even with how cold it was during the shoot, we are extremely excited about how it turned out and how much fun it really was. So we hope you enjoy our first of many music videos, but possibly our last filmed in a desolate cold Wisconsin location.
Trek Bicycles Corp. (Ray’s MTB) pro-biking event
Ray's MTB is part of the world's first multi-terrain indoor biking park. They will be inviting two of the most popular extreme mountain bikers in the sport for a meet, greet and ride event for the public and seasoned members. Come and join us for some unbelievable biking and music.
Playing at The River Club of Mequon
We were honored to be invited to play at the first annual River Club Winter Fest 2013. We had a lot of fun playing with all the other bands/musicians. For those that have not been to this fabulous location please go check it out. The food is amazing and the restaurants and country club facilities are fantastic.
North Branch Music Festival – July 2012
We were blessed to be invited to play at one of the most majestic places on earth, in the heart of the pristine Nicolet National Forest for the Fifth annual "North Branch Music Festival". We were the youngest group ever to be invited to play this event, which is such an honor. We had the most wonderful time meeting all the other musicians and it was such a peaceful place to play our music. We thank the LaRoque family for providing such a wonderful experience for us all!!