The Garden Talks Touring, Inspiration, and Identity
The Garden is an experimental punk duo formed by twin brothers Fletcher and Wyatt Shears. Their fourth studio album, Kiss My Super Bowl Ring, was released March 13. They classify their sound as “vada vada”: pure creative expression, art without expectation, disregard of ideals and limitations. Upon listening you can hear their drum and bass music blend, hop, and disintegrate genres to produce an energy unlike anyone else.
Kiss My Super Bowl Ring is perhaps their most unorthodox album to date. It pulls influence from eclectic 80’s punk, mixes it with modern rap, and sprinkles it with piercing screams. The experimental electronic sounds showcase collaboration from producers such as Dylan Brady of 100 gecs and WHARFWIT of Kero Kero Bonito. While the electronic tunes emulate a more danceable feel, songs like “Sneaky Devil” channel a twisted sound I can only describe as industrial anxiety.
The absurdity that tints their previous releases is still evident throughout, though this particular album seems to channel more targeted emotions of distress and frustration. Yet The Garden remains as playful and upbeat as ever, unapologetic and wholly explosive.
I had the pleasure of picking their brains in the back of an airstream before their show with Mannequin Pussy back in October. Check out the interview to find out more and give a listen to their new album below!
Olivia Peluso is a Cal Poly English senior and a KCPR staff member.
