We’re quite not a raging winter

Gardens & Villa rocked the Empty Bottle last Friday, exceeding my expectations for such a young band. Known for always playing live (even in studio), these guys have a natural talent for getting the crowd moving and they will definitely continue to gain notoriety, so catch them while they are still playing small venues.

As a Los Angeles expatriate, I generally don't have much taste for the glitzy glam rock that seems to emanate from Southern California, but occasionally there is a unique group that breaks that mold and deserves some attention. Fool's Gold is one such band, and their sound is definitely unique enough to qualify. The blend of Caribbean/Afrobeats and indie dance riffs provides a solid rhythmic framework for Luke Top's crooning vocals, and the combination is simultaneously catchy and deep enough to fill a stadium (or your best circumaural headphones). After their self-titled debut LP release in 2009, which employed mainly Hebrew lyrics, they tightened up their sound and moved on to a more accessible style and primarily English vocalization (with just an occasional verse or two in a Hebrew) for this August's release of their stellar sophomore album, Leave No Trace. I dare you not to tap your toes and nod your head to these:

Fool's Gold - Street Clothes by iamsoundrecords

Fool's Gold - Wild Window by iamsoundrecords

How the leaves hang over the street

A young emerging act from Santa Barbara, Gardens & Villa introduced themselves into the summer indie rock scene with the release of their two most popular tracks, "Black Hills" and "Orange Blossom," followed by the release of their full eponymous LP this fourth of July. The album makes a somewhat successful attempt to fit in with current trends, but only a handful of songs really stand out. The two tracks listed above establish the band's sound as something promising and unique, especially with their stated oath to "always play all parts live," a bold move amongst an increasingly synthesized indie scene. Upbeat and layered, the style of each track changes with a chameleon-like effect that has not earned rave reviews from the tough critics of the internet music world. Nonetheless, based on their standout songs they are still an emerging act to follow, so hit up their popular tracks and then check out these two that also promise big things:

Gardens & Villa - Thorn Castles by Sound Thinking

Gardens & Villa - Neon Dove by pilwo

They are also playing in Chicago at the Empty Bottle on October 7 along with Youth Lagoon, so get your tickets NOW.