Dreamy pop from sunny Santa Barbara.

Gardens & Villa, that's the musical synthesis of funk, synth-pop and new wave. Sun-drenched indie-pop that, just like Grizzly Bear or Beach House, is indebted to the likes of Brian Wilson. The windows stood wide open during the recordings and a Californian breeze gave the songs a summery and playful feel. Think: the sound of Spoon during a pleasurable dream or Blur run through an '80's synth. Yep, their predilection for Britpop is to be heard on many a song too. For this debut, the fivesome headed out to Oregon where producer Richard Swift showed his best side. Those who have heard his ‘The Atlantic Ocean’ know what this man is capable of. So the untitled album was also a quality product and released a few months ago on Secretly Canadian.

Support comes from the American singer-songstress Cat Martino. She has earned her stripes in the bands of Sufjan Stevens (she also sang on his ‘Age Of Adz’) and Sharon Van Etten among others, and is now building an impressive solo career.

Cat Martino: Jenni's Gone Down from Foglight Films on Vimeo.