“Climb up to the highest branch to enjoy the view.” For Capital Region band Tops of Trees, the phrase is more than just a tagline. It’s a driving principle.
In a band where each member brings their own voice, instrument, and soul to the process, the result is a sound that invites listeners upwards: layering, welcoming and collective.
While the name was originally chosen through a rank-voting system, it turned out to be a fitting metaphor. Treetops represent elevation and clarity– where you can take in the whole view from above. Even their name, Tops of Trees holds true to this idea of reaching a place where perspective expands. It’s about getting high enough to experience something in its fullest potential and even more.
Their logo, an octopus, is a nod to a unique story one of the members heard on the Radiolab podcast. The episode explored a theory by ecologist Nalini Nadkarni– dismissed by other scientists– that a new biosphere might exist above the forests. What they found was shocking: aquatic features above the forest canopies. The discovery reshaped our understanding of forests as layered ecosystems. Similar to how the band continues to reshape musical expectations. The octopus is a symbol of the unexpected: life and creativity thrives where you least expect it.
Tops of Trees is a rock and soul ensemble from upstate New York, making a name for themselves in the Capital Region. Their sound is rooted in drums and bass, layered with classic organ, and a strong vocal and horn section. With a mission to inspire and move audiences, their modern interpretation of soulful music intertwines with remnants of early R&B, funk, and soul, creating an entrancing sound for listeners.
At its core, Tops of Trees is a group of musicians who deeply understand the art of music-making. Each of its six musicians brings a distinct musical background, yet what sets them apart is their collective mindset. The band stays humble, focused less on standing out individually, but more on building something together. Their process involves taking pieces from each other and arranging songs that encompass their shared sound.
The creative force behind the band, Damian Ubriaco, leads with soulful vocals that explore introspective songwriting with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. His guitar playing provides resonance for many of the band’s songs. Drummer Troy Helmer anchors the rhythm with his energetic, genre-bending drumming style that forms the backbone of Tops of Trees’ “Trunk Funk” sound. Ken Juhas’ bass work blends elements of funk, jazz, and R&B into a rich textured sound, adding depth to the band’s music. Lead guitarist Aaron Profitt weaves melodic color and grit to the band’s arrangements, weaving expressive guitar work through each track and giving each one a strong emotional undercut. Ashley Cross brings powerful and effortless vocals, a blend of soul, grit and groove that fits right into the band’s palette. She bridges the depth of the lyrics with the band’s rhythmic drive. Alex Miller rounds out the group with both bright brass melodies and smooth keyboard textures. His horn arrangements add flair, while his keyboard playing adds warmth and depth.
Together, they create a sound that is both compelling and cohesive.
Tops of Trees began as a creative project during the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world slowly reopened with uncertainty, Helmer and Ubriaco started covering songs in a garage just for the joy of playing together. “It felt great to be playing music,” Ubriaco recalls. Music remained a constant despite the ever-changing world around them. The jam sessions soon grew into a more focused creative project, as friends both new and old joined.
In 2023, Tops of Trees released their debut EP, The Treehouse Sessions, which marked a major milestone that introduced their newfound sound. The EP was released in two parts: a “coolside” and a “hotside,” with each track reflecting the contrasting moods. Since then, the band has released several singles that highlight their continued evolution. “Light On,” released in 2024, is filled with spirit, energy, and power, especially during the band’s live performances. More recent singles like “Warmth” and “Mad Love” showcase the band’s range and confidence, blending experimental beats and melodies. Their sound has become increasingly refined, and prominent in all of their songs.
Live shows have played a key factor in the band’s growth. This summer, they have kept busy with performances all around the Capital Region. It gives them the “freedom to play around,” says Miller. The band experiments while on stage, and enjoys interactions with audience members. At one show, nearly the entire crowd joined in to sing “Light On.” The energy from their audience was unmatched. The band truly felt the impact their music can have on others. Each performance draws loved ones from different parts of the members’ lives, creating a space that feels joyful and connected. No matter the audience or when they perform, the same spirit comes about as the band just does what they love: playing music.
While Tops of Trees continues with their summer performances, they’ve released a brand new single, “Upstate.” The single is a heartfelt letter to upstate New York from Ubriaco himself, a Long Island native who moved north. The track opens with a drum lead in, quickly layered with a rich guitar melody. As the song builds, so does each musical section– clear and soulful vocals tell a story and horns and keys add warmth, giving the song its traditional Tops of Trees feel. “We traded the concrete for a little more green,” speaks to a universal experience of leaving familiarity behind for something more grounded. The guitar break adds texture and the drums provide a steady backbone throughout the song. The song offers reassurance through change with the repeated mantra, “It’s alright.”
Like much of their work, “Upstate” highlights each member’s strength without overpowering one another, blending together in a way that feels effortless.
For the music video for “Upstate,” the band kept their community-first spirit and invited fans to participate in the video. Through social media and their mailing list, they asked listeners to submit clips of themselves doing what they love to be included in the video. The project reflects what Tops of Trees does best: creating music that makes people feel seen and included.
Tops of Trees is on a steady pace as they continue to climb. They plan to keep making music that only they can make. Their sound is not made by one person; it’s a shared creation born from friendship, musicianship, and trust.
“Upstate” is available now to stream on all major platforms. To stay updated on Tops of Trees, follow the band on Instagram or join their mailing list. Tickets for upcoming shows can be found at their website. Whether you listen to them live or from afar, the view from the top is worth the climb.
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