Interview with Gardenia
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Interview with Gardenia
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
Ry: I got into music because of Guitar Hero! I wanted to get better at the game, and my 8-year-old brain thought I could get better by learning actual guitar. If we weren't in a band, we would definitely be working at Home Depot together, probably in the lumber section
Tamir: There was always music playing in the house growing up. If I wasn’t doing music today I would like to think I’ll be a film director.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
Ry: I love reading, and a lot of the time I find little nuggets of wisdom or quotes in a book that become full-blown songs
Tamir: I like to watch movies/tv, and play video games. Sometimes the music from these platforms gives me different ideas
How long has your band been around? Also, please tell me about the dynamic of the band and what brought you all together.
Ry: The band has been going strong for a minute! We were co-workers at a music rehearsal studio and started jamming together on our lunch breaks. The rest was history!
Tamir: Between the two of us, you’ll get a ton of noise and different influences that comes together into something we both like. I met Ry at a music studio we’re both working at. We jammed a couple of months later, and here we are today releasing our debut album
Where are you based and how did that influence your music?
Ry: We're based out of New York, and I think it really shows in our work. It's loud, it's chaotic, it's fast-paced.
Tamir: Growing up in NYC there are a lot of different types of energies and there’s always something going on.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
Ry: I was playing the song "Gardenia" by Kyuss at the studio one night, and we decided that was a sick band name. Probably the easiest naming process ever.
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
Ry: The most memorable shows are the ones where people sing the words back to us, there's no better feeling than that.
Tamir: Between playing at Arlene’s Grocery & Rockwood Music Hall the energy was always crazy there.
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
Ry: Would love to play the Troubador in LA one day!
Tamir: My favorites were Our Wicked Lady & Arlene’s Grocery
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Ry: It would be us going first, followed by an Oasis reunion. We'd go first cuz I can't follow that up.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Ry: To both I would say, don't worry about nepo babies. They're not that talented.
Tamir: To my younger self; Good communication, listening & practicing.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
Ry: "Believe Me (Or Don't)", because it was one of the songs that really helped steer the direction of this new album. It helped us start to form our sound, and I'm grateful for that.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
Ry: 'Black Perfume' is one of my favorites to play, cuz it really challenges me but in a good way. 'Mattress Actress' is definitely the most requested at shows.
Tamir: 'Hall Pass' and 'Believe Me (Or Don't)'
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
Ry: We have lots of friends with lots of weird and crazy stories. Most of our songs derive from hearing these out and finding our own interpretation of the stories.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Tamir: There isn't always a happy ending, but that's ok.
Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?
Ry: Yes, our new album, 'Knowing You Know Nothing', is out now!!!
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Ry: Ruling the world and such. That's about it.
How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?