New video release from Abrasive Trees

Hailing from the artistic enclave of Totnes in the south west of the UK, Abrasive Trees rises as a collaborative project led by Matthew Rochford, blending a mix of psychedelic, post punk, rock and folk influences. Part of the local creative scene, Abrasive Trees has not only made an impact in their community but has also collaborated with artists such as members of Fields of The Nephilim, Rothko, Pulled By Magnets and Jo Beth Young.

Since the introduction of their distinctive sound in 2020 with the debut single “Bound For An Infinite Sea,” Abrasive Trees has been on an expansive musical journey. The band’s repertoire includes a diverse array of singles, remixes, a live album and an EP produced by Lucy and Matthew Board from Pale Blue Eyes.

Now, the experimental post rock quintet brings us their latest work with “Mill Session,” a short film that stitches together new songs, insightful interviews and visual art, all set against the backdrop of an ancient mill. The band, featuring Matthew Rochford and Ben Roberts from the Bella Union project Silver Moth, collaborated with a team of local professionals and producer Pete Fletcher from the Isle of Lewis to bring “Mill Session” to life.

The twenty minute film introduces two unreleased tracks, “Star Sapphire” and “Tao To Earth,” while also featuring a live version of the previously released “Kali Sends Sunflowers.” Guided by the questions of music journalist Andy Hill, the film provides a unique glimpse into the band’s creative process and philosophy.

“Mill Session” delivers a carefully curated visual experience that goes beyond the offerings of a traditional music video, with the ancient mill in Totnes serving as a captivating backdrop, lending an intimate and atmospheric setting to the film. The film is a thrilling exploration of Abrasive Trees’ sonic universe, offering personal insights from the band about their writing and production processes.

The live performances, captured in the intimate setting of the old mill, are cut with abstract animations and overlays, creating a visually dynamic and immersive experience. As the band shares their creative direction, visual artist Jess Wooller’s work contributes to the documentation of Abrasive Trees’ current artistic output. The innovative approach of combining music, visuals and interviews provides an engaging platform for the band to connect with fans on a deeper level, offering a superb artistic work from a band that continues to evolve.

Commenting on “Mill Session,” Matthew shares, “We’d aspired to create this film after meeting earlier this year to discuss what we could and couldn’t do – given our commitments to all of our other creative projects. We had considered going into a recording studio but decided to do something completely different and release some of our new material in this way. Somehow it all came together with the right people at the right time and the right place. We received financial and practical backing from the Abrasive Trees community – so it’s a genuinely crowdfunded project.”

Watch the video for Mill Session below