The Garden (band)

American experimental rock band

The Garden

The Garden at Coachella 2023
Wyatt (left) and Fletcher Shears

Background information
Origin| Orange County, California, U.S.
Genres|

* Experimental rock
* art punk
* electro-punk
* hypnagogic pop
* ska
* synth punk

Years active| 2011–present
Labels|

* Epitaph
* Vada Vada
* Burger
* Hostage

Members|

* Wyatt Shears
* Fletcher Shears

Website| thegardenvadavada.com

The Garden is an American experimental rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 2011 by twin brothers Wyatt and Fletcher Shears.[1] The duo released their debut album The Life and Times of a Paperclip in 2013, with several smaller releases following. In 2015, the group released their second studio album Haha along with the lead single "All Smiles Over Here :)" to critical acclaim after being signed to Epitaph Records. The brothers have toured across the US, Europe, United Kingdom, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and in 2019 and 2023, they appeared at Coachella.

## History

[edit]

### 2011–2014: Formation and debut album

[edit]

Twins Wyatt and Fletcher Shears formed The Garden in 2011 aged 17 as a side project of their band M.H.V (Ms. Hannah's Victims), but eventually they departed in order to pursue The Garden full time. Their name The Garden is intended as a metaphor for their music "growing" and evolving.[1][2][3] They began playing shows and soon, still signed to their previous band's label Burger Records, released their debut self titled EP in May 2012 on cassette,[4][5][6] followed by Everything Is Perfect in December.[7] They released the song "I'm a Woman" with a video in late 2012 before releasing their debut album The Life and Times of a Paperclip in July 2013.[8][9][10] A month later they released the Rules EP, featuring "Spirit Chant" previously released on Everything Is Perfect, and "Get Me My Blade" which was released along with a video earlier that year.[11][12] They released a few more singles and EP's throughout 2014, as well as a song titled Cloak, a track featured on their then upcoming second album.[13][14][15]

### 2015–2017: haha and U Want the Scoop?

[edit]

In January 2015, The Garden twins released a 7" titled "Surprise" featuring the B-side "This Could Build Us a Home".[16][17][18][19] They signed to Epitaph Records and in August 2015, they announced their second studio album haha and premiered the lead single, "All Smiles Over Here :)".[20] They released a video for the song "Egg" on October 9, a day before the duo embarked on a world tour.[21][22] In 2016, they released a string of singles, "Play Your Cards Right" (featuring Crazy 8), "Call This # Now" and "California Here We Go", before releasing the U Want the Scoop? EP in March 2017, following a video for "All Access".[23][24][25][26][27] During September 2017, the duo opened for Mac DeMarco on his North American tour.[28]

### 2018: Mirror Might Steal Your Charm

[edit]

On January 24, 2018, The Garden released the single "No Destination" on Epitaph Records with an accompanying music video.[29] On February 27, they released a new music video for the single "Stallion", and announced their new album, Mirror Might Steal Your Charm, was set to release on March 30.[30][31] A third single, "Call The Dogs Out", came out three days before the album's release on March 27.[32] They also played songs from the album at the ARTE concert in 2018.

### 2020: Kiss My Super Bowl Ring

[edit]

The band announced the release date of their fourth studio album, Kiss My Super Bowl Ring, on January 16, 2020. The announcement was supported by the album's first single, "Clench to Stay Awake".[33] The album was released on March 13, 2020, and features production from 100 gecs member Dylan Brady and Kero Kero Bonito bassist James Bulled under his side project Wharfwhit.[34] [35]

### 2022–2023: Horseshit on Route 66

[edit]

The singles "Freight Yard", "Orange County Punk Rock Legend", and "Chainsaw the Door" were released ahead of their fifth studio album, Horseshit on Route 66, which was released on September 8, 2022.[36]

During their touring season following the release of the album The Garden performed at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.[37]

### 2024: Six Desperate Ballads

[edit]

In June 2024, The Garden announced the release of their first single of the year titled "Filthy Rabbit Hole"[38] described as a West Coast lofi hardcore punk track from the '80s.[39]

In September, another single along with a music video was announced for the track "Ballet" with a confirmation for an upcoming Extended play.[40]

These singles were released ahead of their fifth extended play Six Desperate Ballads, which released on October 30, 2024.[41]

## Side projects

[edit]

Both twins have experimental side projects: Wyatt's being Enjoy and Fletcher's being Puzzle. They are also models, having campaigned for brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hugo Boss, Ugg, and Balenciaga.[1]

Enjoy albums[42][43]

* Gold (2012)
* Unlimited Distance (2012)
* Spaceships & Attitudes (2012)
* Fun New World (2012)
* Interest (2013)
* Magic (2013)
* A.R.C. (2013)
* Boom, Bang, Blast! (2013)
* Quest (2013)
* Legacy (2014)
* Punk Planet (2015)
* Another Word for Joy (2016)
* Real Life Like Cold Ice (EP) (2016)
* Small Car Big Wheels (2018)
* Sessions With a Nasty Old Tree (2020)
* Exploited (2023)
* The Sound Of Deceit (2025)

Puzzle albums[44][45]

* That's Fine (2013)
* Pure (2013)
* It's Really Whatever (2013)
* About You (2013)
* I'll Just Say This (2013)
* Wonderful? (2013)
* Sugar (2013)
* Greed (2013)
* Mental (2014)
* Deluxe (2014)
* Wrecked (2014)
* Drinking Blood (2014)
* And Then Suddenly, Like Magic! (2014)
* Silver Jungle (2014)
* Just 4 Kix (2016)
* Soaring (2016)
* Laying in the Sand (2016)
* Tighten the Reins (2017)
* X Hail (2019)
* Places We Choose Not To Look (2020)
* The Rotten Opera (2023)
* Damage Collection! (2025)

## Musical style

[edit]

The band is known for their fast, punk-influenced two-piece bass and drum songs. At some point Wyatt has stated he switched from bass to guitar, but most people didn't notice because of his playing style and use of low notes.[citation needed] Their later music contains synth in addition to or instead of the guitar and drums. Both their music and image is characterized by "DIY principles, thrift store-cum-glam fashion style and a vast list of influences".[46] The brothers classify their sound as "Vada Vada", a philosophy which Wyatt Shears describes as "an idea that represents pure creative expression, that disregards all previously made genres and ideals".[47] The twins have cited influence from artists such as video game composer Manabu Namiki, rappers E-40 and Mykki Blanco, country singer Johnny Paycheck, and punk rock bands Minutemen and Big Boys.[48][49]

## Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

* The Life and Times of a Paperclip (2013)
* haha (2015)
* Mirror Might Steal Your Charm (2018)
* Kiss My Super Bowl Ring (2020)
* Horseshit on Route 66 (2022)

EPs

* Burger Records Tape (2012)
* Everything Is Perfect (2012)
* Rules (2013)
* U Want the Scoop? (2017)
* Six Desperate Ballads (2024)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Salek, Yasi (April 23, 2013). "Meet Hedi Slimane's Latest Crush: Twin Brothers, The Garden". Vice. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
2. ^ Naima J. (February 22, 2014). "Welcome to the Vadaverse! An Interview with The Garden". Take Me Where The Gold Is. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
3. ^ "In The Garden With The Garden | Poncho". YouTube. September 27, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
4. ^ "Burger Records Tape (EP) | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
5. ^ "The Garden - The Garden (2012, Cassette)". Discogs. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
6. ^ "The Garden by The Garden on Apple Music". iTunes. April 2, 2013. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
7. ^ "Everything Is Perfect (EP) | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
8. ^ "The Garden - "I'm A Woman" (Official Video)". YouTube. November 9, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
9. ^ Gerulat, Gregory (September 5, 2013). "Reviews: The Garden – The Life and Times of a Paper Clip". Slug Magazine. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
10. ^ Gentile, John (July 22, 2013). "The Garden: The Best Neo-Punk Band Moonlighting as Models Right Now". MTV Hive. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
11. ^ "Rules (EP) | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
12. ^ "The Garden - Get Me My Blade (Official Video)". YouTube. March 22, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
13. ^ "The Garden | Discography". Discogs. March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
14. ^ "Upcoming Single Release: The Garden – Glimpse / Aunt J's Smile / Struggle in Front of Sector 27". indie-pen-dance. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
15. ^ Gentile, John (May 22, 2014). "The Garden announce three new singles, including their flagship song, "Corndogs in the rain"". PunkNews. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
16. ^ Murray, Robin (December 5, 2014). "Premiere: The Garden - 'Surprise!'". Clash. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
17. ^ Lester, Paul (November 10, 2014). "The playlist: new bands, with Låpsley, Tobias Jesso Jr and the Garden". The Guardian. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
18. ^ Horner, Al (August 6, 2014). "LA Twins The Garden Bring Electro-Punk Anarchy On New Single 'Cloak' - Track Premiere". NME. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
19. ^ "Surprise 7" | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
20. ^ "The Garden - All Smiles Over Here :)". YouTube. August 18, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
21. ^ "The Garden - "Egg"". YouTube. October 8, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
22. ^ "haha | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
23. ^ "Play Your Cards Right (feat. Crazy 8) | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
24. ^ "Call This # Now | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
25. ^ "California Here We Go | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
26. ^ "U Want The Scoop? | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
27. ^ "The Garden - "All Access"". YouTube. January 31, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
28. ^ "The Garden on Twitter: 'US tour in September with Mac Demarco. See you - VV'". Twitter. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
29. ^ "The Garden - "No Destination"". YouTube. January 24, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
30. ^ "The Garden - "Stallion"". YouTube. February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
31. ^ "Mirror Might Steal Your Charm | The Garden". Thegardenmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
32. ^ "The Garden - "Call The Dogs Out"". YouTube. March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
33. ^ Vigil, Dom (January 16, 2020). "The Garden Announce New Album, "Kiss My Super Bowl Ring" and Share New Track, "Clench To Stay Awake"". The Prelude Press. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
34. ^ Monger, Timothy. Review of Kiss My Super Bowl Ring at AllMusic. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
35. ^ "The Garden on Twitter: "… "". twitter.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
36. ^ "Horseshit on Route 66, by The Garden". The Garden. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
37. ^ "Coachella 2023: Festivalgoers mosh and sing to The Garden's Friday night set". The Desert Sun. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
38. ^ "The Garden on Instagram: 'A new song called "Filthy Rabbit Hole" out now.'". Instagram. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
39. ^ "Weekly Track Roundup June 24th, 2024: Charli XCX, Lorde, Post Malone, Aphex Twin". The Needle Drop. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
40. ^ "The Garden on Instagram: 'A new video for a new single is out now. "Ballet" is part of an EP that is coming very soon. See you then.'". Instagram. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
41. ^ "The Garden on Instagram: '"Six Desperate Ballads" is out today.'". Instagram. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
42. ^ "Enjoy | Discography". Discogs. May 27, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
43. ^ "Music | Enjoy". Enjoy2.bandcamp.com. December 21, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
44. ^ "Puzzle | Discography". Discogs. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
45. ^ "Music | PUZZLE". Puzzle2.bandcamp.com. December 21, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
46. ^ Vigil, Dom (April 10, 2019). "The Garden Share New Track, "Thy Mission" Featuring Mac DeMarco". The Prelude Press.
47. ^ "West Coast band 'The Garden' release the deliciously barbed 'HAHA'". Flux Magazine. June 9, 2011.
48. ^ Vincent, Alice (December 10, 2014). "The Garden - New Music". The Telegraph.
49. ^ Porter, Billie JD (September 25, 2014). "So You Think You're Really Pretty?". Wonderland Magazine.

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Artists|

* MusicBrainz