Who Is Oliver Tree? From Santa Cruz to Alien Boy
Bowl cut, red shades, a windbreaker and jeans wide enough to hide a small car: once you have seen Oliver Tree, you don't forget him. Here is the story behind the look and the designs in our shop, in a few short steps.
Where does Oliver Tree come from?
Santa Cruz, California. Oliver Tree Nickell was born there on June 29, 1993, and made music as Oliver Tree.
What kind of music did he make?
All kinds, on purpose. He was a singer-songwriter, rapper, producer, filmmaker and comedian, and his songs mix alternative rock, indie pop, hip-hop and dance. Wikipedia calls him "genre-defying", and that fits.
How did it start?
With "When I'm Down". The song came out in October 2016, made with Whethan, and after it he signed to Atlantic Records.
Then came Alien Boy. The Alien Boy EP followed in 2018, after an earlier EP, Demons, in 2013.
What came after that?
Four studio albums. Ugly Is Beautiful (2020), Cowboy Tears (2022), Alone in a Crowd (2023) and Love You Madly Hate You Badly (2026). The last one came out on his own label, Alien Boy Records, after he left Atlantic in April 2026.
Why the bowl cut?
It's the signature. The bowl cut is the look everyone knows, and his photos pair it with red sunglasses, bright windbreakers and huge jeans. You'll find it all over our designs, from the Ugly Is Beautiful trading card to the jet ski.
Where do I start?
Pick an era. Love the first album? Go for Ugly Is Beautiful. Into cowboy hats? Try Cowboys Don't Cry. Want to know more about each album first? Read the albums behind our designs.