GIFT – Band of the Month [June]

Our featured band this month is Brooklyn, NY neo-psychedelia / shoegaze quintet GIFT.

The year 2020 sure wasn’t the most ideal time to form a band, especially for a group of musicians who never played together before. But for GIFT, this strangest of periods was the auspicious backdrop for a bold new sound – a dizzying blend of early shoegaze, classic ‘90s alternative rock and even modern pop.

Indeed, that GIFT emerged somewhat fully formed on their 2022 kaleidoscopic debut album ‘Momentary Presence’, a testament to the creative possibilities laying deep within. Bandleader TJ Freda & co. uncap the lens to project their vibrant spectrum of psych, krautrock, dream pop, post-punk, noise rock and electronica upon the vacant surfaces of the mind.

Their upcoming second album ‘Illuminator‘, is the long-awaited payoff of GIFT’s ever-growing musical and human chemistry. And while nods are apparent to label forerunners such as Beach Fossils, DIIV and Wild Nothing, GIFT are shepherding those elements into wondrous new vessels for the present moment–sleek, often danceable and frequently mesmerizing.

“Illuminator” will be out August 23rd on Captured Tracks. Pre-order your copy here.

GIFT are: TJ Freda (vocalist/guitarist), multi-instrumentalists Jessica Gurewitz and Justin Hrabovsky, Kallan Campbell (bassist), and Gabe Moreno (drummer).

Follow GIFT:

Website, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Twitter, Youtube

FFO: Spiritualized, Tame Impala, Wand, Brian Jonestown Massacre

GIFT Upcoming Live Shows

15 Oct – Rescue Rooms Nottingham, United Kingdom
22 Oct – Crookes Social Club Sheffield, United Kingdom

Photo credit: Dana Trippe