OLIVER TREE: Ugly is Beautiful vs Cowboy Tears Era

 Some people asked why I changed the clothes… why I changed the hair. And you gotta know that I’m just a person. I change just like all of you. And you also had five years… so if you didn’t catch me anytime then, you missed out.

~ Oliver Tree

The last couple of years have been huge for rising alternative artist, Oliver Tree. After releasing his debut album, Ugly Is Beautiful, in the middle of the pandemic, his deluxe edition, Shorter, Thicker & Uglier, a seven track addition to the album, rose in the ranks quickly after “Life Goes On” went viral on social media platforms. He’s worked with artists around the globe, including Russian super star Little Big on a collaborative EP, Welcome to The Internet. Amassing millions of streams and viral success, fans are always excited to see what this artist has next to offer, especially in how he may continue to defy the commonly seen rules of genre.

We had the rare treat to capture him in his hometown element at a charity benefit show in Santa Cruz, where the devoted crowd shared an experience unmatched by many. Located at The Rio Theater, just a couple of blocks away from his childhood neighborhood, fans gathered around the building in wait to witness the intimate performance, for just the cost of a cash donation or some canned goods.