New York rock quintet GIFT’s Captured Tracks-debut entitled Illuminator will be released on August 23rd. A dynamic fusion of genres, perfectly blending electronic elements with widescreen pop production techniques, Illuminator is the sophomore record and follow-up to Momentary Presence that finds the young band remarkably fully formed. Upon inception in 2020, GIFT’s band members have roots all over the world (Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Boston and Brazil, to be exact), had never performed together, and came from vastly different professional backgrounds – specifically photography, talent buying, DJing, audio engineering, art directing, and even DIY venue ownership. The melting pot of these varied skills and walks of life helps make Illuminator an even more miraculously cohesive listening experience from one of the most exciting new bands in the NYC music scene.
“Going In Circles,” exemplifies a newfound confidence and versatility. The band’s vocalist/guitarist TJ Freda shares:
“This was the first song I wrote for Illuminator that helped me realize the direction of the album. I wrote the chorus while passively playing guitar and rushed to record the idea. At that moment, something clicked and I realized where the album was going. At our shows from the Momentary Presence tour, people would stand in the crowd wide-eyed without moving. We wanted to get people moving with the new album, so we were really inspired by bands like Primal Scream, Oasis and Massive Attack. It’s our psych-rock tribute to U.K. rave culture in the ‘90s.
“The song is about the endless cycle of a relationship, the back and forth in both euphoria and doubt. The chorus “I never told you why’ is about never being able to say how you really feel, not having closure and the cycle continuing.”
GIFT have also announced their debut headline tour this Fall throughout the U.S. then U.K. – see below to find a show near you and get your tickets HERE.
TOUR DATES
Sept 13 – Troy, NY – No Fun (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 14 – Boston, MA – Rockwell (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 15 – Portland, ME – Oxbow Brewing (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 17 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Showcase (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 20 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (w. Catcher, Public Circuit) Record Release Show
Sept 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
Sept 22 – Washington, DC – DC9
Sept 25 – Chicago, IL – Scuba’s
Oct 15 – Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms (w. BODEGA)
Oct 16 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club (w. BODEGA)
Oct 17 – Glasgow, UK – Room 2 (w. BODEGA)
Oct 18 – Newcastle upon Tyne, UK – The Cluny (w. BODEGA)
Oct 19 – Cardiff, UL – Sŵn Fest
Oct 21 – Cambridge, UK – Junction 2 (w. BODEGA)
Oct 22 – Sheffield, UK – Crookes Social Club (w. BODEGA)
Oct 23 – Bristol, UK – Lantern Hall (w. BODEGA)
Oct 24 – London, UK – Earth Hall (w. BODEGA)
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