The Fruit Tree Foundation
| Company type | Music initiative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Mental health awareness |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Rod Jones, Emma Pollock |
Area served | Scotland |
| Products | First Edition (2011) |
| Parent | Mental Health Foundation |
The Fruit Tree Foundation was a Scottish music initiative established in 2010 by Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones and ex-Delgados singer and guitarist Emma Pollock. Developed in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation, the project sought to "increase mental health awareness and challenge stigmas surrounding mental health issues through the creation of exceptional art."
This initiative organized multiple live performances and produced a single studio album, First Edition (2011), which featured contributions from prominent Scottish artists, including members of Frightened Rabbit, The Twilight Sad, Sparrow and the Workshop, and Take a Worm for a Walk Week, as well as musicians like Karine Polwart, Alasdair Roberts, and James Yorkston.
Origins (2008–2009)
During 2008 and 2009, Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones and former Delgados vocalist Emma Pollock curated a series of concerts named 'Music Like a Vitamin' for the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival. These shows showcased leading Scottish indie bands such as Frightened Rabbit, The Twilight Sad, Sons and Daughters, and Attic Lights, alongside folk artists including Karine Polwart, James Yorkston, and Alasdair Roberts. Pollock observed that the events attracted substantial audiences, partly due to affordable ticket pricing.
First Edition and mentorship programme (2010–2011)
Prior to the 2009 'Music Like a Vitamin' concerts, Jones had envisioned producing a full-length album featuring various artists to maintain momentum between festival events, contingent on securing funding.
In 2010, this vision materialized into The Fruit Tree Foundation, aiming to broaden the scope of the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival's musical offerings while promoting the Mental Health Foundation's mission through new compositions for live performances. Supported by Breathing Space Scotland, a group of musicians gathered in a house in Perthshire for five days to develop material for First Edition. Pollock recalled that conceptual work began around mid-2009.
The album launch included two live shows, with Jones reflecting on the mix of creative tension and camaraderie experienced during production. First Edition was released under Chemikal Underground records.
In 2011, the Foundation introduced 'New Branch', a mentorship programme designed to support emerging musicians. Jones mentioned receiving 170 applications within seven days, highlighting a selection process that balanced subjective preferences with wider objectives.
Prospects
Jones stressed that The Fruit Tree Foundation intends to go beyond being merely another indie collective, aiming to incorporate a variety of musical genres and contributors that extend beyond his own tastes.
Discography
- First Edition (2011)