Following a seven-year hiatus, internationally-renowned South African rock band Tree63 released their seventh album, Land, in 2015.
Formed in late 1996, the three-piece band, consisting of John Ellis (vocals and guitar), Darryl Swart (drums) and Daniel Ornellas (bass), first came to international attention with the release of their second album, 63 (Survivor Records), in 1999.
US success began with the band signing to InPop Records and releasing a debut US album which contained the CCM radio hits “Treasure” and “Look What You’ve Done”. Support tours with Sonicflood and Rebecca St James, as well as a Dove Award in 2001 for Rock Album of the Year, helped to further cement the band’s US appeal.
2002’s The Life & Times Of Absolute Truth spawned no less than 8 radio singles in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the UK and garnered the band a coveted slot on 2002’s Festival Con Dios tour of the US. This album was followed by 2004’s The Answer To The Question, which contained the band’s seminal version of “Blessed Be Your Name”, Billboard’s Song Of The Year for 2004.
Tree63’s ongoing success was followed by a live worship album, I Stand For You: Worship Volume One, major tours of South Africa and US support slots for Jeremy Camp, a US tour with the UK’s Delirious? and further radio success with the title track from 2007’s Sunday! album.
After numerous appearances with the Billy Graham organization, headline slots at Canada’s YC event and a UK tour in support of Delirious?, Tree63 went on what became a seven-year sabbatical, with each member pursuing their own musical pursuits.
After reconvening in 2014 for a series of celebratory South African concerts, talk of a new album and resumed live work resurfaced and the band began work on their new album in Nashville in November 2014.