Song of the Day: Golden Gardens - Transparent Things

Local Music, Song of the Day
02/01/2013
Ian Robinson

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Every Friday we spotlight a Northwest artist. Today’s selection, featured on the Mornging Show with John Richards, is “Transparent Things” by the aptly named Seattle band Golden Gardens off their 2012 album, How Brave The Hunted Wolves, on Neon Sigh.

Golden Gardens – Transparent Things (MP3)

With an eclectic list of influences ranging from "Music boxes and icicles," to Greek mythology and Marcel Duchamp it's not really a surprise Seattle dreamgaze duo Golden Gardens are able to find their own captivating sound in a genre often brushed aside for being dull and boring. Instrumentalist Gregg Alexander Joseph Neville and Aubrey Rachel Violet Bramble, whose vocals are reminiscent of a much sleepier and much less creepy Twin Peaks soundtrack, came together as Golden Gardens in 2010 to record something "original and alchemical" and instantly began creating undeniably enchanting and mythical soundscapes.

The first single off their latest album, "Transparent Things" is an absolutely-dreamlike song that slows down/speeds up/completely messes with time, trapping whatever it is you happen to be doing or not doing at that time and holding onto it in that moment for exactly three minutes and 11 seconds. ARVB's vocals barely rise above the atmospheric shoe-gaze-stylings of GAJN, filling the track with all-consuming ethereal and dreamy textures. Good luck trying to make out exactly what she's saying and if you can, you're missing the point.

In case you missed them last night at the Comet Tavern, Golden Gardens currently have dates scheduled in Portland and Seattle in the upcoming months. More information on those dates is available here and on their Facebook page, but in the meantime be sure to check out the incredibly dreamy and low-budget video for "Paresseux" off their 2010 debut release the Somnabulist EP here:

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