On December 25, 2001, Oliver Tree wasn't just a child for Christmas. Instead, he suddenly had the key to his future in his hand, once gifted with his first Razor scooter.
Two decades later, the artist has gained nearly 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify and half a billion lifetime streams. He even has over 11 million followers on TikTok, a platform practically tailored to his signature brand of quirky comedic bullshit – just look at his badass platinum blonde haircut. Half bowl, half mullet, he called it "Bowlet".
Always on the go, Tree is now working hard on Cowboy Tears, a full blown country album whose release will reportedly mark his retreat from music. It's a far cry from the funky mixes of pop, hip-hop, and electronica he's put his name on – and his fans aren't exactly on board, according to a recent interview with Bru from Audacy Check In.
Unsurprisingly, Tree didn't care.
“That's the only thing I hear. I only hear the new, ”he said to Bru. "I think this is the greatest album I've ever heard in my entire life. If you don't want it, I might not care because I listen to this thing 24/7."
Holding onto guns is an exercise Tree knows well. His debut album Ugly Is Beautiful was an imaginative ode to self-love and acceptance. With Cowboy Tears, he's now switching gears to explore vulnerabilities, especially among his male colleagues.
“Cowboys are the toughest guys. It's okay for us tough guys to cry, and the thing is, it's okay for everyone to cry, ”Tree explained. “Holding on to your emotions creates a lot of anger, and that's very popular with men. Cowboy Tears teaches people how to let them out and be able to put them out in a way that isn't violent or self-destructive . "
Tree and Bru discussed everything from his dream of visiting 100 countries by next year to the 17 documentaries he has made in the past four years. He's even hoping to play a show in Antarctica one day – “It's harder than you think vault.
And after Cowboy Tears, he plans to work hard on a career as a feature filmmaker and delve into the world of visual storytelling behind the camera. Two completed scripts, he revealed, are already in his back pocket.
"I did. People just didn't see it," remarked Tree. "I do things. That's all that matters. I get my hands dirty and I create every day."
Until then you can see Oliver Tree on his farewell tour “Cowboy Tears” next spring, which starts on February 19th in Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale now.
FOLLOW OLIVER BAUM:
Facebook: facebook.com/OliverTreemusic
Twitter: twitter.com/olivertree
Instagram: instagram.com/olivertree
Spotify: spoti.fi/3k2jSQ9
