Leaning Trees is an eclectic, roots rock band that was originally formed in 2017 by vocalist and rhythm guitarist, John Weeks. Early members included John Weeks, Andrew Sullivan, Mike Gross, and Aaron Jammes. The band was based in the Northeast Florida region, and considered Gainesville its home. Over the years, Leaning Trees has become a moniker or music project, primarily led by John Weeks, who continues to record music under the name.
Leaning Trees began rehersing and playing local open mics in the summer of 2017. Original contributing members included Andrew Sullivan and Mike Gross. By 2018, the band began frequently playing gigs in the Gainesville area, including venues such as The Hardback, Loosey's, and Satchels. Leaning Trees released the Bittersweet Nostalgia EP in early 2018, and then a full length album called A Setting Sun, in the spring of 2018.
During this time, additional members joined the band, including Aaron Jammes (percussion) and Kyle Keller (bass). Mike Gross continued to play lead guitar, and Andrew Sullivan acted as an auxiliary guitarist and synth player. In January, 2020, Leaning Trees released their second LP record, called Time Will Tell. In March of 2020 the original lineup played its final show at The Hardback, before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, John Weeks continued to write and record music under the Leaning Trees name, releasing Your Beating Heart and the Light Within in 2021, and Idlewild Rose in 2022. Contributors to those albums included Mike Gross (lead guitar), Andrew Sullivan (lead guitar, bass, slide guitar), David Golden (piano), and Matthew Bergen (guitar, and bass). John Weeks also continued to play live shows as a solo artist, often performing Leaning Trees songs. More recently Leaning Trees has released a fifth LP record called Wherever You Go, as well as an EP titled Rain Washed Sun. These albums were the first to be written, performed, and recorded entirely by John Weeks.
It's safe to say that Leaning Trees will continue to evolve and adapt much as it has in the past. Leaning Trees, whether a band or a songwriting and recording project, will always be about exploration of the human experience through the medium of music.