Gardens & Villa: Artist You Should Know

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From KCRW DJ Chris Douridas:

As you might guess, I’m always on the hunt for exhilarating new artists and bands. It’s the life blood of my work here at KCRW. Often it happens in the mail, on a stage somewhere, through a trusted friend…I stumble across something that captivates.

It happened again this past Monday. Each week, I host School Night — a club night at Bardot in Hollywood that features live performances and sets from guest DJs. I had booked two LA up-and-comers Obi Best and Hands, and a brand new band called Gardens & Villa.

The latter i booked largely at the behest of my assistant, who has great ears. She had heard about the band from a friend of ours, Alex who books The Bootleg. Coincidentally, Gardens & Villa were friends with Hands, who spoke very highly of them as well.

Beyond a couple of songs I heard from an album in the works, all I really knew about them was that they were from Santa Barbara, and that they recently signed with the stalwart indie label, Secretly Canadian (another good sign).

Their set this past Monday was one of those moments that seemed to slow down somehow. A time-stretch. I got the feeling that someday I’d look back on this evening with fond recollection.

I mean, when’s the last time you saw a lead singer armed with a quiver of flutes and reeds? That in itself is worth seeking these guys out.

For starters, stream their song “Black Hills.

Stream “Black Hills”

Their debut LP will be out on July 5 and they’ll be touring this June as support for Foster the People.

Gardens & Villa Tour dates

Jun 8 Denver CO – Bluebird Theater ^

Jun 10 Lawrence KS – The Bottleneck ^

Jun 11 Minneapolis MN – Fine Line Music ^

Jun 12 Chicago IL – Lincoln Hall ^

Jun 13 Cleveland Heights OH – Grog Shop ^

Jun 14 Columbus OH – Newport Music Hall ^

Jun 17 Montreal QC – Club Lambi ^

Jun 18 Toronto ON – The Mod Club ^

Jun 20 Brooklyn NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg ^

Jun 22 Washington DC – 9:30 Club ^

Jun 24 Brooklyn NY – Glasslands

Jun 28 Philadelphia PA – Theatre of Living Arts ^

Jun 30 Atlanta GA – Masquerade: Hell Stage ^

Jul 1 Houston TX – Warehouse Live ^

Jul 2 Austin TX – Emo’s ^

Jul 3 Dallas TX – The Loft ^

Jul 5 Tucson AZ – Club Congress ^

Jul 6 San Diego CA – House of Blues ^

Jul 7 Los Angeles CA – El Rey ^

Jul 8 Tempe AZ – The Sail Inn *

Jul 9 Tucson AZ – Club Congress *

Jul 10 San Diego CA – Casbah *

Jul 14 Los Angeles CA – The Echo *

Jul 15 San Francisco CA – Café Du Nord *

Jul 16 Davis CA – Sophia’s *

Jul 17 Portland OR – Mississippi Studios *

Jul 19 Seattle WA – Tractor Tavern *

Jul 20 Boise ID – Neurolux *

Jul 21 Salt Lake City UT – Kilby Court *

Jul 23 Santa Fe NM – Corazon *

Jul 24 Oklahoma City OK – The Conservatory *

Jul 26 Chicago IL – The Empty Bottle #

Jul 27 Cleveland OH – Happy Dog #

Jul 28 Washington DC – Black Cat Backstage #

Jul 29 Philadelphia PA – Kung Fu Necktie #

Jul 30 New York NY – Mercury Lounge #

Jul 31 Allston MA – Great Scott *

Aug 1 Montreal QC – Casa del Popolo *

Aug 3 Pontiac MI – Vernors Room at the Crofoot

Aug 8 Wichita KS – Rock Island Live

Aug 9 Fort Worth TX – Lola’s Saloon Sixth

Aug 10 Austin TX – The Mohawk

^ w/ Foster the People

* w/ Generationals

# w/ Craft Spells