Oliver Tree

Early Life

Oliver Tree Nickell was born on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, to Jesse Louis Nickell III and Christine Marie, both of whom were traveling circus performers. This unique upbringing saw Tree living in a mobile motor home, which fostered his creativity as he was surrounded by musical instruments from a young age. He began taking classical piano lessons at just three years old and was composing original music by four. By the age of six, he claimed to have written a full album. Despite the unconventional lifestyle, his parents provided a structured environment that allowed him to explore his artistic interests.

Career

Tree's music career began in 2010 when he launched his solo project under the name "Tree." He gained early recognition by opening for prominent DJs like Skrillex and Zedd. After signing with R&S Records in 2013, he released his debut EP, "Demons," which garnered attention after Radiohead's Thom Yorke praised his cover of "Karma Police." Following a brief hiatus to study music technology at the California Institute of the Arts, Tree returned to the music scene in 2016, releasing the viral hit "When I'm Down" and signing with Atlantic Records. His debut studio album, "Ugly Is Beautiful," was released in July 2020, featuring several RIAA-certified singles. Tree continued to evolve as an artist, releasing his second album, "Cowboy Tears," in February 2022, and his third album, "Alone in a Crowd," in September 2023.

Personal Life

In his personal life, Tree has been open about his relationships, dating singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez from 2019 until their amicable split in June 2020. He has expressed interest in exploring polyamory and maintains multiple open relationships, while also being open to traditional monogamy if he finds the right partner. Tree's eclectic style and genre-defying music have made him a notable figure in the contemporary music scene, blending elements of indie pop, hip-hop, and dance music.