Parks Department - “Money Tree”

Words by Zach Romano

Look At My Records is thrilled to premiere “Money Tree”, the latest single from Brooklyn alt-folk trio Parks Department’s debut album, to be released this summer. The track offers a heartfelt examination of the comedown of a couple of weeks alone after the excitement of moving in with a new partner.

Parks Department started off quite literally: the band was founded by songwriter Woody Thomas while he was working for the NYC Parks Department. The band was initially filled out by his coworkers and is now staffed by a rotating roster of friends.

“Money Tree” is on the slower, more contemplative end of the band’s spectrum. The track explores how a partner’s absence can create an introspective mood that’s sort of out of proportion with the actual scale of the solitude: “It’s only a couple weeks without your company. I wander aimlessly,” sings Thomas. The song addresses how new partners can become the prism through which we view even the most mundane task, but even in this state, the outside world is still moving on and unfortunately, exasperatingly needs to be addressed.

“[My partner] went out of town to see their brother—a trip I couldn’t go on because of my job—and I noticed how upended I felt in their absence,” says Thomas. “The song's not about wanting to spend every moment with someone — space is necessary in any relationship— but more about realizing how much you’ve started to build a routine and life with someone.”

Sonically the track recalls aughts The National, or maybe a less hangdog version of Philly Lendermancore quartet Friendship.  Thomas’s baritone delivery immediately brings Matt Berninger to mind, especially when he goes so low that his voice cracks a little. The backing vocals that join on the chorus could be a Dessner.  “Money Tree” is a gorgeous, rewarding track, and its pace and introspection make it an unconventional but completely warranted choice for a single.

Stream “Money Tree” on Spotify here (or wherever else you listen to music). Also check out the band’s Instagram and Youtube.

Parks Department is playing a release show for “Money Tree” TOMORROW May 2 at The Gutter. They’ll be joined by Sweetbreads, Ava Trepeck, and Birdie Wren. You (yes you) should go!