Oliver Tree (Music BFA 17), a singer-songwriter, producer, filmmaker, and CalArts alum was one of six people killed in a helicopter collision on Sunday morning in Rio de Janeiro. He was on the cusp of his largest world tour, billed as The World’s First World Tour, playing more than 70 shows on all seven continents.
Tree, known for his signature bowl cut, humor, and genre-defying music style that matched his personality, is remembered at CalArts an original in a sea of singular personalities. He could often be seen zipping through campus on his trusted scooter—and even rode it during his graduation.
Hailing from Santa Cruz, California, Tree, 32, is best remembered for his most popular songs “Life Goes On” (2021) and “Miss You” (2022). But even by the time those tunes were released, Oliver Tree was already a name in the electronic music scene, collaborating with internationally renowned artists Skrillex, Zeds Dead, and Diplo. A prolific artist, he also caught the attention of Tom Yorke of Radiohead when he released a cover of “Karma Police” at age 19.
Music Faculty John Baffa worked with Tree in his Concert Production class and the Advanced Production Techniques class. “He was definitively Oliver Tree by the time our paths crossed. He had the vision and his vibe happening already!” Baffa added: “His scooter was always by his side.”
Before his passing, Oliver Tree had already performed some of the country’s largest festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, and the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas.
Ever the marketer, Tree wrote a thesis on how to turn yourself into a meme, and used the internet for over a decade to reach more followers and listeners. We found this meme generator on Oliver Tree’s website.
Please feel free to add your own memories in the comments below.
