ADVENT CHRISTMAS, VOLUME 2 by Future of Forestry, releases today, November 2, 2010, through iTunes and on the www.futureofforestry.com website.  Over the coming weeks the EP will appear on additional online music sites and at live events during the band’s holiday tour.
 
The EP features the holiday classics Joy To The World, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Angels We Have Heard On High, and Pie Jesu, as well the original song The Earth Stood Still, and an instrumental interlude.

Early reviews for the project are coming in:
•   “…a stunning album. 8.5 out of 10.”  – Soul Audio
•   “This will certainly be a Christmas goodie that has one original song, as well as an instrumental interlude, along with four covers that amazingly don’t sound like the re-treads that we’re so used to ’round these parts. Grade: A” – Christian Music Zine
•   “With plenty of influence from across the board and enough unexpected turns to keep one's interest throughout, Advent Christmas EP, Volume 2 is yet another winning project from Owyoung and his rotating set of musicians. Four and a half stars. “ – Jesus Freak Hideout
Advent Christmas 2 is designed to be a cohesive piece that merges effortlessly with the original Advent Christmas EP.  After touring on the first EP, the band realized that these Advent CDs had become a large part of the makeup of the band, and the desire for a second was evident.   With it’s epic sound, creative instrumentation and traditional values, the Advent EPs hope to honor and enhance this most holy of seasons.
 
Future of Forestry Christmas tour dates to be announced in the upcoming weeks. Current schedule can be viewed at http://events.myspace.com/72475801/Events/1 or at
www.futureofforestry.com

Thousand Oaks, CA - ADVENT CHRISTMAS, VOLUME 2, by Future of Forestry, is set to release to digital outlets November 2, 2010 and in select stores nationwide.   The EP will feature 6 songs, including 4 traditional holiday classics, one original song, and an instrumental interlude.
 
“The Advent series started as a side project, but after hearing the first EP and touring on the project, it was evident that this music was becoming an important part of the band,” explains Eric Owyoung, the driving force behind Future of Forestry.  “When we started hearing a similar response from our friends and fans, we couldn’t wait to get in the studio and continue the series.”

This project is in a very similar style Future of Forestry fans are familiar with: epic in sound, using a wide pallet of instrumentation, while managing to keep a sentimental feel that honors the season it celebrates.
 
“We really wanted these two Christmas albums to be cohesive, so you can listen to the EPs together and have it seem like one experience,” continues Owyoung.
 
Much like the other Future of Forestry projects, the make up of the band is more about the music, than the band itself.   Owyoung enlisted a community of musicians to play on the project, including longtime bandmate TJ Hill, cellist Elizabeth Lee, and vocalist Olga Yagolnikov from the band Paper Rings.
 
Future of Forestry Christmas tour dates to be announced in the upcoming weeks.
 
Track listing:
Joy to the World
Do You Hear What I Hear
The Earth Stood Still
Angels We Have Heard On High
Instrumental
Pie Jesu
 

ontinuing an already acclaimed musical and spiritual journey that launched in May, ethereal San Diego rock band Future of Forestry will release Travel II, the second six-song EP in its unique three-part Travel series, on September 8, 2009 via Credential Recordings (Switchfoot).

“The last few years of my life brought so many unexpected changes, some of them painful and some of them beautiful,” explains Future of Forestry front man Eric Owyoung. “The Travel series is my poetic narrative of learning how to listen to my heart and embracing what really matters.”

Listeners instantly embraced the first Travel set. StereoTruth.net called it “a musical masterpiece,” while ChristianityToday.com hailed Future of Forestry’s “lovely songs that build to triumphal climaxes and are filled with the confidence that many bands strive for, but few actually achieve.” Indie Vision Music dubbed it “beautiful indie rock . . . some of the finest singing I’ve heard in some time,” and Jesus Freak Hideout was simply “blown away by the single, ‘Traveler’s Song.’”
 
Travel II further showcases the compelling Future of Forestry blend of contemplative lyrics with uncommonly creative, melody-rich alternative rock performances, this time adding standout World Music percussion flourishes on cuts like “Hills of Indigo Blue” and “So Close So Far.” The travel concept resounds with European-flavored sing-song immediacy on “Set Your Sails” and the harder biting “Holiday.” Other tunes include “Slow Your Breath Down” and “Someday.”

Future of Forestry took its name from a C. S. Lewis poem and released the debut album Twilight in 2007. Songs from that project were featured on Oprah’s Big Give and ABC Family Channel’s Wildfire. For more information about the band and Travel II, visit http://www.futureofforestry.com/.

Artist: Future of Forestry
Album: Travel
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
 
As a kid I was rounded up with my brother and sister for the family trip every year, and we were treated to a soundtrack of southern gospel and Kenny Rogers. If only I could’ve had an ipod and Future of Forestry’s Travel, the first of three 6-song travel themed collections coming this year from the band.
 
Each sweeping sonic touch is purposefully placed, and Eric Owyoung’s study of conducting and voice leading at Boston University is put to good use. The songs are written in an accessible structure, with the verses and choruses coming when you should hear them. Yet, this does not confine them. The listener is taken somewhere else, to a place where there is room to think and reflect, and even hope.
 
Fittingly so, the opening track ‘Traveler’s Song’ speaks to the challenge of taking the road less traveled. This path is full of reward, yet knowing that “you will feel it all, the brightest and the darkest.” It shuffles along with a nice melody perfectly suited for glancing out the window. You’ll be hard pressed to do anything but sit up and take notice of the melodic beauty of “Colors In Array,” with its sweeping strings and ambient guitars. Or am I hearing vocals make those sounds? Brilliant.
 
A natural and melancholy acoustic guitar opens “Close Your Eyes,” and is married with a thoughtful, dry vocal. The listener is encouraged and assured this too will pass, and “trust will be your light tonight.” The EP closes with “Halleluiah,” an atmospheric anthem that is at one moment still and quiet, then quickly transforms into an epic chorus of praise.
 
With this first EP of the series, I am left excitedly anticipating what’s to come. The project is experimental and outside-the-box while at the same time being completely accessible.

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) May 5, 2009 – Credential Recordings artist Future of Forestry announces its Travel EP, a six-song collection releasing today. The first of a three-part series, Travel will be followed by Travel II and Travel III over the next twelve months.

Future of Forestry debuts the series with Travel, songs that will provoke contemplation, encourage daydreaming, and deepen perspective on all things beautiful. The project combines both the intelligent rock ’n’ roll and thought-provoking lyrics that fans of Future of Forestry have come to love. Band founder and frontman Eric Owyoung wrote, played, recorded and produced all songs on the EP.

A free download of “Traveler’s Song” will be available on the band’s Myspace page at www.myspace.com/futureofforestry.

“The last few years of my life brought so many unexpected changes, some of them painful and some of them beautiful,” says Owyoung.  “The album ‘Travel’ is my poetic narrative of learning how to listen to my heart and embrace what really matters.”

Future of Forestry quickly made a name for itself following the release of its 2007 debut album Twilight. Taking listeners on a musical journey with its bright optimism and epic, sweeping euro-rock sound, the band left fans wanting more. Future of Forestry’s song “Open Wide” appeared on “Oprah’s Big Give” on ABC in April 2008 and songs “Twilight” and “Speak to Me Gently” were both featured in the ABC Family series “Wildfire.”