I discovered Oliver Tree sometime in middle school, saw his music video for his song 'Hurt', where he is nailed to a gigantic scooter and thought it was so absurd and unlike any thing I've ever seen, fell down the rabbit hole and I follow everything he's doing since.
I remember having a blast watching his outburst in an interview with Fantano, or when he brings his comically large vape to H3 Podcast.
he was playing a character, the character is a loud, short-tempered and annoying man child.
You might hate it or love it but the way he market himself is unique and one of a kind. I myself even had a hard time distinguishing when he is in character and when he is sincere, and I suppose that's where the "magic" is.
If I were to discover him now I don't think I would like him as an artist. I would only see the surface and think he's an obnoxious cornball who makes bland pop music. But I'm so glad that's not the case and I instead discovered him when I was a middle schooler who was very new to internet culture and less judgemental as I am now.
One of the downside of growing up is how much more aware you are with other peoples opinion on something and how much that affect yours.
People can be so judgemental over trivial things to the point that you're too scared to get judged and the next thing you know you've become just as judgemental as them... but 13 years old me couldn't care less about that, what others might seen as obnoxious marketing gimmick, to my middle school self it's just a guy trying to have fun and entertain others.
What others might seen as cringe and cliche lyrics, to my middle school self feels sincere and relatable.
Sometimes things are special to you not because it was mind-blowingly perfect but more so because you happened to discover it in a special time in your life.
I still listen to his music every now and again, huge part of it is because nostalgia I will admit, but I also still do find it sonically beautiful, especially his album 'Splitting Branches', before he even goes by Oliver Tree. his early singles and debut album is catchy and fun. The later releases, frankly I no longer paid attention too much to them... but still, his music will always holds a special place in my heart.
When you love something you kinda don't care for its' flaws, if anything the flaws makes you love it more.
"All good things come to an end, that's just the way it's always been
It might not seem that fair to you but its the start of something new"
Rest In Peace Oliver Tree, thank you for bringing joy to me and many others.