Meet Tree Standing

What’s your artist name and where are you from?

My artist name is Tree Standing. I am from Panama City, Florida.

Why do you love music?

I love music because it is a universal method for healing and connection. Music, more than most other things, allows us to feel and understand the deeper things that make us human and help us to relate to each other. I try to live by the ancient wisdom of many indigenous cultures, utilizing music as medicine, for healing.

What makes you different as a music artist?

I have a heart and truth and realness to my lyrics which break through the fog of mainstream/overdone materialistic themes. It comes from my struggle, and where I am at in my life. I've been recording my whole first album in my van while I live in it. I've got a lot of real stuff to say that I feel many people will relate to. My craft is still a work in progress, as all things are, but I also realize I've come a long way. I've been creating music since I was 16, and I'm 25 now. My favorite genre of music has been hip-hop since I was like 12 years old, but I only started free-styling when I was 18, and only started writing around then too... Life circumstances have pushed me deeply to put most of my energy into my music craft... So whatever I do, it won't be halfway done.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself living in a modest but comfortable home in an Eco-village style community, staying on my music grind but also balancing that with family time and other fulfilling work. Traveling, touring, sharing my music and plant knowledge, and growing a lot of food. Being even deeper in the disciplinary practices that strengthen my spirit, like exercise, meditation, martial arts, yoga, and daily creative expression...

What do you want to accomplish in life?

I want to bring more awareness to the Earth that is our home and the wisdom of living in respect and harmony with nature. One of my missions is to plant millions of trees in my life. Imagine if even 10% of the human population did that. I want to bring sustainable edible food forest gardens to impoverished communities lacking access to healthy, fresh food. I also want to raise awareness for protecting our waters - the lifeblood of the planet that we all rely on, and a lot of societal changes need to take place to restore balance with the ecosystems for future generations. My music career is largely inspired by my desire to give that vision a voice and to bring a sense of spiritual/emotional connection or healing to the billions of people feeling the pain and struggle of life. What do you bring to the music world? I bring my unique truth and expression fully. I'm not trying to follow anyone else's style or do what everyone else does. I have my path and I know that my vision is pure and my intentions are sacred.

What do you want to be remembered by?

I want to be remembered for the way that my words/music help people through difficult times in life. I want to leave a legacy of clarity about our place as people here on this Earth, and what it means to be in good relations with the Earth as well as with our fellow humans, animals, plants, and all of life. I pray that I can help someone keep going and push through, finding the strength to make it through one more day when they're feeling completely out of gas, giving up. Because there's a light on the other side of that darkness, and there's a strength that comes from deep within from that type of experience. People don't always make it through to the other side. I give thanks for my ability to express my art and for it to be received, and in this spirit of gratitude, I won't waste the fire inside that drives me through my laziness or lack of focus. The time is now, and it always is.