Quilt

Review: Love Garden's 24th Anniversary Show

 Love Garden Sounds celebrated its 24th anniversary this past Sunday at The Granada, with an impressive lineup of local and national acts.

 
1. Oils - Oils kicked off the anniversary party with a bang, bringing the people a composed set of upbeat and rhythmic progression, a build-up style characteristic of the crew. So it was no surprise Taryn Blake Miller of Your Friend joined in playing some extra percussion for the group. They really set a comfort zone for the rest of the evening as people started showing up for the event.
 
 
2. No Magic - No Magic's solo act followed Oils opening set, introducing the side stage where 3 other bands would later play. His crispy vocals and folky guitar tone drew the main stage crowd toward him but may not have kept their attention. Though you've got to give him kudos for playing the second slot amongst such an ambitious local lineup. 
 
 
3. CS Luxem (solo) - After a thirty-minute halftime, Chris Luxem took the main stage again with his solo act, taking control of the crowd almost immediately with his light and harmonic guitar melody. His undeniable energy and, at times, gritty and gut-wrenching vocals, ring genuine and heartfelt. He really hit the mark ending his set by looping and layering his guitar and vocals, allowing him to put down his instrument and keel over with the microphone nearly to his knees while belting out his final few verses. 
 
 
4. Psychic Heat - There's nothing really more capturing and exciting than a band comprised of a bunch of best dude friends, and this foursome rings tried and true in that department. Like a starter pistol at a footrace, Psychic Heat took off in full speed with no intention of looking back to see who they'd left in the dust. The foursome's set was made up of drum-drilling, back-to-back hits with heavy reverb on the guitar. They showed up, they played, they kind of left you wanting more and they liked it. 
 
 
5. Brooke Tuley - Brooke Tuley of Bloodbirds was the second artist to take the side stage on Sunday, celebrating the record release of her debut solo album, First Midnight. One of the only acts representing Kansas City, husband Mike Tuley accompanied Brooke as she serenaded the crowd with stripped down, lo-fi melodies and haunting, youthful vocals. First Midnight is a collection of songs she's recorded over the years, a side project she's pulled to the forefront now that Bloodbirds is on temporary hiatus. 
 
 
 
6. Your Friend - Taryn Blake Miller, better known as Your Friend, has more or less become the unofficial sweetheart of Lawrence. After signing with Domino Records last year, Miller's performance and confidence level have been on the rise, bringing in bigger and bigger audiences. Playing with her full band, Miller ended her rather quick set writhing and lashing on the floor with guitar in hand, losing her chunky black frames on the way down. She still managed to thank the crowd as the lights went up, out of breath and still not recovering her glasses. 
 
 
7. Gnarly Davidson - Gnarly Davidson could really give a shit, but in the best way. This trio took back the side stage with a vengeance, explaining to the crowd that they played "beer rock." Beer rock, motorcycle metal, whatever the case may be, they prefaced their radical set with, "We're Gnarly Davidson, and this is our last song!" The crowd either watched with dropped jaws or gave in to the madness and moshed/danced their set away. 
 
 
8. Quilt - Quilt from Boston was the first touring band to see the stage that evening. Their light and harmonic tone with a tinge of psychedelia hinted at some definite Fleetwood Mac influences. The lead singer told the crowd that she and the drummer had officially visited all 50 states now that they were in Lawrence. "We saved the best for last," she said. In hindsight, the band could have been lined up behind Woods rather than squeezed between Gnarly Davidson and Blood On The Wall to give them a better transition. 
 
 
9. Blood On The Wall - It was pretty clear who showed up for Blood On The Wall reunion, even more so where their best friends were in the crowd based on the amount of head banging, hollering and beer cheers-ing in air. The drummer of Gnarly Davidson could be found behind the stage, hugging a friend and fist pumping through the entirety of the set. It truly was one of those Lawrence throwback shows, like a high school reunion. Brad and Courtney Shanks took the crowd by storm with shrieking vocals and a commanding stage presence. 
 
 
10. Woods - Based out of New York and Vermont, Woods headlined the show as the big wig touring band, but they honestly had some work cut out for them, considering the local theme of the evening. Kevin Morby's name was being dropped and overheard all over the venue but was a surprising no-show as Woods took the stage, seeing that he would be the Kansas City connection to the show. Morby or no Morby, the band performed a pretty solid set but were ultimately a little somber toward the crowd. 
 
 
--Leslie Kinsman 
 
Leslie is a freelance writer and blogger. A founding member of the music venue FOKL Center, Kinsman also runs her own blog wunderhub, where she features local fashion, music, and art pieces. Keep your eye out for wunderhub Radio, a weekly collaborated playlist released for free by Rory Cameron of The Conquerors.
 

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May 08, 2014    

Quilt "ties up" album promotion with new video

Fresh off the release of its latest album, Held in Splendor, Quilt has unveiled the video for the track “Tie up the Tides.” The clip is a trippy accompaniment to the catchy indie pop number, with shots that slowly fade into one another and a full array of color. Feathers, strings of confetti and colored sand fall as Anna Rochinski sings amidst a sea of guitar stabs and restrained drums. Take a look at “Tie up the Tides” now and catch the band at the Great Scott in Boston on March 1 before they head to Europe for a spring tour. – Jake Reed

February 18, 2014    

The Spyrals Wymond Miles and Quilt Play Bottom of the Hill TONIGHT

Two solo albums deep, Wymond Miles has risen as an ardent songwriter and performer who stands confidently as a separate entity from his long-time band, The Fresh & Onlys. Though threads of his band's garage rock sound can be heard throughout his own work, he uses his solo project to weave a decidedly prettier, poppier and more outwardly emotional sonic tapestry. Despite its pristine packaging, his sound is also darker than Fresh & Onlys' music and still driven by his characteristic guitar textures. Miles is playing a rare solo set tonight at Bottom of the Hill, and he has promised, via his Facebook page, that there will be roses, so get ready for some romantic, post punk vibes.

Joining Miles is San Francisco's own burgeoning rock and roll band, The Spyrals, who have been spreading their jangly, psych-tinged and blues-rooted music around The Bay Area since the late 2000s. Though the band initially established a wandering, sinister sound with its eponymous debut LP, the three-piece outfit injected its music with a fresh sense of urgency to create the tighter, faster compositions of its sophomore record, Out of Sight, which was released last year with Mock Records.

Rounding out the night will be Boston-based outfit Quilt. Currently on a North American Tour that will eventually become a European excursion, this dreamy pop band has captured the hearts of indie and psychedelic audiences alike with its surfy riffs, psychedelic fuzz and three-part harmonies. - Lauren Espina

February 14, 2014    

Quilt Builds Buzz for New Album

Boston three-piece Quilt first took the scene with their first demo back in 2009, and John Andrews, Anna Rochinski, and Shane Butler have been touring the northeast and building their fanbase almost nonstop, and fans are starting to itch for their new release. Their self-titled debut on the Mexican Summer label in 2011 was recorded and released all within a T's ride distance along with new material has gotten them attention in Paste, Stereogum, and every local publication you can shake a stick at. With a sound that fits a basement party as well as it does a rainy afternoon walk, they've been teasing fans with new tracks and a music video for "Open Eyes", but no release date to speak of (their cryptic Facebook answer: "soooon").

Where does that leave their loyal devotees? Following them around, more or less-- Quilt has played everything from a free Middle East show to Northside festival in Brooklyn to a New Hampshire wedding, and an upcoming date on August 2nd at Montague Bookmill. Until then, friends, join hands with us in embracing the wait.

--Jamie Loftus (@hamburgerphone)

July 29, 2013