Held By Trees

Held By Trees is an instrumental post-rock project led by composer/producer David Joseph.
Working with some of the greatest session musicians in the history of rock music, Joseph digs deep into the influence of Talk Talk’s seminal records, ‘Spirit of Eden’ and ‘Laughing Stock’ as well as Mark Hollis’ 1998 solo album. A total of seven veterans of those albums are part of the project, including Robbie McIntosh on guitar, and mix from Phill Brown.

Other contributors include Tim Renwick, Pink Floyd touring guitarist, blues/roots icon Eric Bibb, David Knopfler formerly of Dire Straits, Mike Smith who plays with Blur, Gorillaz and Damon Albarn, trumpet virtuoso Gary Alesbrook.

Debut album, Solace, received critical acclaim from music press across the world including Mojo, Classic Pop, Classic Rock, Prog Magazines and BBC Introducing, Radio 3 and 6 Music at the hands of @Elbow’s Guy Garvey.

Live versions of several tracks from Solace were made at Peter Gabriel ‘s Real World Studios, alongside a suite of five new pieces themed on the transition from day to night; Eventide, followed in 2023.

2024 brought a first vocal collab with Martin Smith also recorded at Real World; Held By Trees & Martin Smith

Second LP ‘Hinterland’ was released in April 2025 and alongside returning Talk Talk alumni, features musicians from Wire, Supergrass, Swans, Bark Psychosis, Slowdive, Band Of Susans, Primal Scream and Mark Hollis’ son Charlie making his recording debut.