The seed of Midwestern Trees, another Coons collaboration, inspired by artist’s apple orchard upbringing

Tim and Betony Coons collaborate on and release fourth project, “Midwestern Trees.” Courtesy photo.

By Dan England

When Tim and Betony Coons collaborate on a project as Giants and Pilgrims, more than half the time, the seed of the idea starts with Tim. 

The Coons, perhaps Greeley’s most creative married couple, have made their own mark in the local art scene. Tim, a musician, has several folk and spiritual recordings, and Betony is easily one of Greeley’s most viewed artists, whether that’s residents’ choice or not, as you can’t drive down 8th Street or visit downtown without seeing one of her murals.

But this is the fourth project they’ve collaborated on, and this one, called “Midwestern Trees,” was mostly Betony’s show. 

“It really was her idea,” Tim said, “but I really resonated with it.” 

Betony grew up on an apple orchard in western Kansas, with a father who can identify birds by their call and trees as you walk by them. Midwestern Trees began as a tribute to her upbringing. 

“Naming a tree can connect you through it,” Tim said. “It makes you feel connected to the area you live in. Betony took that universal experience and blended it with really personal stuff.” 

Tim brought his own thoughts to trees with his songs, writing nearly a dozen and recording seven of them. He believes the album is a bit of a departure, though his fans will still recognize his folk elements and eclectic sounds and feel. 

Tim and Betony Coons work together in the studio. Courtesy photo.

“I’ve done the indie folk vibe, and I’ve loved that,” Tim said, “but I’ve been a musician long enough to know that you are in danger of parodying yourself.”

Some of the newer sounds include vintage synth, real drums and other “old 80s sounds,” Tim said. 

“Vintage sounds make me feel like a kid again,” Tim said. “They connect me to the freedom of play. I feel like on this album I worked a long time to create a new sound for me. I’m really proud of that aspect of the album.” 

It’s tricky, even frustrating, to work with Betony on these projects, especially one as intensely personal as Midwestern Trees, Tim said, because he needs to connect to it as well. 

“It tends to work even when you feel like you’re faking it,” Tim said. “But for the song ‘Apple,’ I wrote a little story about Betony, and she said to me, ‘Those lyrics are cool but they don’t mean anything to you.’ So I had to bring more of myself to the song. It had to be something that meant something to me and wasn’t just led by her.” 

Still, he finds “great joy” in these projects with her, ones he started eight years ago, because of the connection he feels through them, to his friends and his community and, ultimately, to Betony. 

“When it is at the end,” Tim said, “we look at each other and say, ‘Proud of you.’”