Pillbook, Circus Trees earn BMA nominations

Aaron Garcia of Pillbook poses in downtown Marlborough, Mass. | Photo via Pillbook, Instagram

It took six years, but, finally, Aaron Garcia is a new artist. 

 He laughs at that concept. 

 The artist behind Five By Two Records’ Pillbook, Garcia just got nominated for three Boston Music Awards, including “Best New Artist." Whether the awards show goes forward in person or remotely, he’ll be hoping, at long last, for a win alongside his adoptive sisters, who are also nominated for their work as Circus Trees. 

 “I’m not a new artist,” Garcia said after the nominations. “I’m just new to other people.” 

 Garcia started performing as Pillbook when he was 15. The band started as a three-piece rock outfit, settling into a sludgy bass sound akin to Royal Blood or Death From Above 1975.

 With little recognition, though, the original lineup splintered, and Garcia eventually struck off on his own. 

 He joined the Five By Two family. He adapted his sound from one of rock and roll, to synth driven, high production value pop. Now, he says he’s finally getting recognition. 

 Garcia is nominated in the categories “New Artist of the Year,” “Pop Artist of the Year” and “Vocalist of the Year.” 

 That makes four total Five By Two nominations as Circus Trees earned a nod in the “Rock Artist of the Year” category. 

 “I don’t always want to do rock music,” Garcia said of his reaction to the pop nomination in particular. “The fact that the outside world is acknowledging me in that genre is awesome.” 

 A year ago, Garcia was at the BMAs as a supporter. 

 Circus Trees had been nominated for “Metal Artist of the Year.” Garcia stood with Five By Two head Robert McCarthy and Circus Trees bassist Edmee at Boston’s House of Blues as they all watched live performances.

 “I was like man, I want my name to be up there,” Garcia said of thinking at the time. “I didn’t think I could get it. But, now, here we are.” 

 Garcia got the good news about his nominations the day after his 21st birthday. 

 He was in his hometown of Chelsea eating breakfast at a favorite Columbian restaurant with his mother. His phone lit up with excitement and congratulations from the rest of the Five By Two family. 

 Garcia, in turn, sent his praise back to Circus Trees, who made the move this year from the aforementioned “Metal Artist of the Year” category, to the rock category that band members feel fits them much better.

 “I’m super excited that we have another opportunity,” vocalist and guitarist Finola McCarthy said. 

Circus Trees poses with Carissa Johnson (right) in 2018. | Photo via Circus Trees, Facebook

 Overjoyed to be nominated alongside Garcia, the Circus Trees squad says its independently honored to go up against longtime mentor Carissa Johnson in the rock category this year.

 Johnson helped Circus Trees record its first song, Impermanence. She later helped promote the trio and has cheered them on as they’ve risen through the regional post rock ranks. 

“Going all the way back from our start where we were literally recording with Carissa…and now being put in a category for something this big, it’s pretty cool,” drummer Giuliana McCarthy said. 

Voting for the 2020 BMAs is now open. Vote for Pillbook and Circus Trees using the following link...https://bostonmusicawards.com/vote/