Acclaimed for their high-energy, acoustic Americana music played with passion, skill, and humor, the Los Angeles-based band The Hollow Trees is set to launch their fourth album of upbeat, top-tapping folk music for families, Hello Friend! This was released  on July 1st.

Blending an Americana cornucopia of musical styles that includes folk, bluegrass, jug band, Western swing, country, blues, and jazz, The Hollow Trees offer a great mix of old-time chestnuts, obscure gems, and fun, new original songs. The band, noted for tossing off clever wordplay combined with excellent musicianship, has been compared to Asleep at the Wheel, the Jim Kweskin jug band, and even The Hoosier Hotshots.

“What Do You Want on Your Taco?” is not only a spirited opening number with clever rhyming lyrics and a delightful sing-along chorus, but the band also manages to imbue a list of taco ingredients with the empowering idea that in creating a life for oneself, “the choice is up to you.”

An album high spot is the jazz novelty song “I Can’t Dance (I’ve Got Ants in My Pants),” which can be previewed HERE. Also noteworthy is “My Dog Has Fleas,” whose lyrics and music fit The Hollow Trees like a glove and will bring a smile to those caught up in the current ukulele craze.

The Hollow Trees are: Gregory Hollow Tree (a.k.a. Greg McIlvaine, guitar, vocals, kazoo), Traci Hollow Tree (a.k.a.Traci Green, vocals, jug), David Green (drums), Adam Levy (bass, vocals), Mike Flanagan (mandolin, bouzouki, vocals),Katie Cavera (plectrum banjo, ukulele, vocals), Phil Parlapiano (accordion, vocals), Leah Ashton, Tia Simone, Nina Kasuya (vocals), and Matt Witler (mandolin, guitar).

Previous albums by The Hollow Trees include Wacky’s Tackle (2010), Welcome to Nelsonville (2008), and The Hollow Trees (2005).

Hello Friend! will be available at iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, The Green Bean in L.A.’s Eagle Rock neighborhood, Grow Kid Grow in L.A.’s Silver Lake neighborhood, and at all Hollow Trees shows.