The holidays are usually a time when families reunite to spend time together before eventually heading their separate ways. In a sense, that is what is happening for Jack Buck, and Rev Whiskey Richard and the Buster Hymen Band, both of which are disbanding after final shows this month. And Union Tree Review beat those groups to the punch by playing its final concert in November. All of the splits appear to be fairly amicable, meaning potential reunion shows haven't been ruled out in the distant future, but each of the three acts will be officially inactive by the end of the year.
Folk-rock ensemble Union Tree Review emerged from hibernation earlier this year with a new lineup and a new EP, Enjoy the Weather, in September. The momentum of a fresh start was short-lived, however. Band leader Tawaine Noah told Kevin Johnson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he felt he was working by himself during the making of the EP. "I wrote all those songs by myself and recorded and produced this record by myself," reads one quote. Communication problems and varying levels of enthusiasm eventually caused Noah to pull the plug on Union Tree Review, but not before a final performance which took place on November 12.
Noah says that "everybody was in a good mood" during that set, and I Went To A Show's coverage of the night backs his claim. Jess Luther's photos capture members from various UTR lineups smiling and embracing.
Noah and violist Jennifer Rudisill now play in folk quintet Amen, Lucy, Amen. That band also features Zach Schwartz, who engineered Enjoy the Weather and runs startup label Brave New Records with Noah. Amen, Lucy, Amen is set to release its debut album, Ashore for the End, on January 17. Union Tree Review bassist Stephen Baier is continuing his work with his other band, Dots Not Feathers.
