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.