During a period of political upheaval and uncertainty, Gardenia found themselves translating national disillusionment into "Lana Del Rey," a track that cleverly disguises social commentary as a breakup anthem.
Balancing raw energy in their notoriously unpredictable live shows with thoughtful storytelling, the band moves seamlessly between suit-wearing composure and chaotic performances.
Working with rock producer Jack Shirley to capture their "punchy and thrashy wall of sound," Gardenia creates songs in the tradition of Outkast's deceptively upbeat "Hey Ya!"—music that rewards both casual listeners and those paying closer attention.
We sat down to talk about American nostalgia as propaganda, improvised setlists, and finding warmth amid the noise.
"Lana Del Rey" is a song that explores the complicated relationship with a country that has let you down. Can you talk about the moment or realization that sparked the idea for this track?
Was there a specific event or personal experience that influenced the lyrics? - I wrote this song in the lead-up to the election. One candidate for president had been shot, and the other one stepped down from running again. Things felt super unstable. All I really wanted to say was, "You really like this place? Okay I guess."
So many are disenfranchised right now, and I wanted to write about how they're being beaten down by this stuff, but I didn't want it to sound too preachy. That's why I went the route of writing the song as though it were about a toxic relationship. That's a little easier to get into for most people I think, including myself.
Your music blends raw, improvised energy with deeply introspective storytelling. How do you strike a balance between chaotic, high-energy performances and crafting thoughtful, emotionally driven lyrics?
I've always liked the idea of there being two shows going on at the same time. There's like the surface-level show of seeing what we do at face value, like screaming and throwing our instruments around, and the ferocity of all that. But then I think there's another show within where we're actually telling stories that aren't hidden in any kind of difficult way. I wanted to make songs that you can just hear AND listen closer to.
Outkast's 'Hey Ya!' always comes to mind as a reference. It was this super fun track from my childhood that everybody would dance to. Meanwhile, it's all about feeling eternally stuck in an unhealthy relationship.
The song draws inspiration from Lana Del Rey’s depiction of Americana—both its beauty and its contradictions. How do you think nostalgia shapes the way people perceive and critique the present?
The past always looks cleaner than it actually was. We're always using this idealized version of the past (and even the future) to shape how we handle the present, as opposed to just appreciating it for how it is. Nostalgia can be propaganda too though, and it's been weaponized for quite a while now in this country. The idea that somehow, things will revert back to this idealized point in time that never existed. Yet, it gives people peace of mind. I think we should actually be less sentimental about things, it sucks to dwell.
Working with producer Jack Shirley, who’s well known for his work in rock music, must have brought a unique dynamic to your sound. What was the recording process like, and how did he help shape the vision for ‘Lana Del Rey’?
Working with Jack was so exciting for us. When we were in the studio recording, we didn't have anyone lined up yet to mix the songs. However, we kept referencing songs from Jeff Rosenstock that he worked on, like 'We Begged 2 Explode' and 'Nausea'. Separately, I also heard his work on Gouge Away and was like, "wow, this is exactly how I want us to sound.". Jack has a really signature style, he makes you feel like you're in the room as the listener.
He and our engineer DJ O'Loane really helped capture the essence of our dynamic and lay it on the track. We've always had this punchy and thrashy wall of sound, and yet they make it sound so warm and full.
Your live shows are described as unpredictable and very high-energy, with elements like suit-clad performances and instrument destruction. How does your stage presence reflect the themes in your music, and what do you want audiences to take away from your shows?
Our live shows do get dicey sometimes! We improvise every setlist in real time, so every show is a truly unique performance. Tamir and I are always having so much fun onstage, and my favorite thing to see is when people go from looking too cool to care to fully losing their minds. The suits are fun because they make us look more put-together, so when the chaos kicks in, it looks even more messy.