Lost in the Trees Eyeing Quick Follow-Up to 'Empty House'

Though Chapel Hill, N.C.'s Lost in the Trees are in the middle stages of promoting their debut album, 'All Alone in an Empty House,' leader Ari Picker tells Spinner that he's hoping to start work on the group's follow-up soon. "I'd love to have something out by late next year," he says. From what it sounds like, he already has a whole lot of ideas on where it'll go.

"It's a bit of an extension of what ['Empty House'] is. While this record was being reworked, my mom's death happened and it'll touch on that a bit," he says. "The music will lean towards the classical, romantic style. The songs are a little more energetic, but we'll find out. That's my read, for sure. ['Empty House'] was more baroque music, because that's where I was in class. What I listen to know is more modern and the new record will represent that more."

For those unfamiliar with Lost in the Trees' sound, Picker told us that his music grew out of an appreciation of bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and Bowerbirds alongside the classical teachings he was getting at Berklee College of Music. If that sounds a bit convoluted, rest assured that Picker's formula works. The record is warm, intricate and deeply personal at times, but whether one's tastes drift into classical or not, it's apparent that Lost in the Trees' willingness to tap many different forms should work for their longevity. In other words, you're not going to hear the same old chord progressions from Picker and company.

Yet a question remains, to which we couldn't help but ask: what's with their band name? "I was listening to a lot of film music and was interested in things that told stories," Picker explains. "I wanted a band name that put a visual or a little story in your head."

Lost in the Trees recently announced a hefty fall tour, which begins Sept. 21 at Pittsburgh's Thunderbird Café.