Dutch multi-instrumentalist Jacco Gardner packed in the Echo last night in support of his new album “Hypnophobia”. His audience swayed in sweat with kaleidoscopic eyes as Gardner performed with no fanfare and very little between-song-banter. Backed by four other musicians, Gardner gave a good mix of new and old songs including he Mr. Kite indebted “The Ballad Of Little Jane” from his first album “Cabinet Of Curiosities”. His lush trippy melodies and Floydian synth made for a time travel back to 60’s psych-folk with maracas, tambourines, and best of all, psychedelic songs that know when to end. Gardner’s tracks could easily continue on for great lengths but they somehow manage to end just as hazily as they began, and they blend into one another enough for us to recognize his more-than-just-derivative calling card. He closed his set with “Find Yourself” from “Hypnophobia” and sans encore, left the crowd standing around hoping for one more blurry escape down the rabbit hole.

Canada’s Calvin Love also performed an energetic set filled with emotive charm and the occasional run of fingers through hair. His romantic pop appeal carries with it elements of indie, funk and dance rhythms that make for perfect bedroom sing-alongs. His lo-fi pop with lounge-y retro influences are modernized by quirky electronic sneaks and Love’s croon. The most powerful of his set was the closer – a fiery cover of Harry Nilsson’s “Jump Into The Fire”.

Shot by me for Buzzbands.LA