New album was released May 4th on CD / LP / DL, Jacco Gardner creates a sound by combining the sounds of Harpsichord, Strings, Flutes and other classical instruments with raw psychedelic effects. It’s tempting to categorize Jacco Gardner by the scope of his musical instruments. “Hypnophobia“ features a Wurlitzer electric piano, mellotrons, harpsichords, an obscure, ancient instrument called an Optigan, plus an antique Steinway upright — these are relics of a particular nature, hand-selected and played to achieve a baroque pop period piece. Initial single “Find Yourself,” its trippy video clip, and the title track confirmed the record’s exploration of a retro-psych wonderland. But it’s not all acid trips, and moments of real introspection appear.
Listening to the full album expands Gardner’s scope considerably; there’s “Make Me See,” a quiet, unexpected songwriter number that barely lasts a minute and a half. Or “Grey Lanes,” an almost pastoral, instrumental lullaby that only gets electronic toward the tail-end. On Hypnophobia, Gardner takes psychedelica and twists it to suit his idea of what blissed-out baroque should be. If late-’70s residents of Laurel Canyon re-imagined themselves 40+ years later with an expanse of antique instruments, they probably couldn’t have done a better job than Gardner has of creating their own modern, alternate reality. It’s a heady, hypnotizing look at the past through the always rose-coloured glasses of the present.
From the album “Hypnophobia”, to be released first week of May 2015 on Polyvinyl (N-A), Excelsior Recordings (Benelux) and Full Time Hobby (ROTW)
It’s a pretty good time to get to know Jacco Gardner. The Dutch multi-instrumentalist blends Ariel Pink-style melodies with a little Pink Floyd psychedelia, resulting in impeccably lush tunes. Judge for yourself with the album’s title track, “Hypnophobia,” to listen too here,
Gardner is also heading out on the road next week, touring in both Europe and North America. The full slate of tour dates is below. he will be at the Bodega social in Nottingham.
The Fat Angel Sings 