I'm an Island
Brooklyn, NY | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | INDIE
Music
Press
I'm An Island's new single "iamurhome" is a dream-like rendition of the very foundation of indie pop.
The delicate vocals lightly glide along as the gently picked guitar leads hymnal background vocals and a shuffling beat. "iamurhome" has a comforting element within its sophisticated composition, lending a refreshing and pop-friendly sound that's hard not to like.
Luckily, we'll get to hear more of where this came from when I'm An Island's EP is released this summer! - Indie Shuffle Music Blog
Delivering an unexpected, yet delightful sound, newcomer I'm An Island has premiered his new song with us today, entitled "iamurhome". I'm An Island is a project by J. Gardner, a multi-instrumentalist that recently moved from New Orleans to Nashville and while in the Music City he wrote his entire forthcoming debut EP.
Easing into the groove, a softly plucked guitar introduces the tone to "iamurhome", a settling, homey feeling that is carried throughout. Once Gardner's voice kicks in, he takes the spotlight with a distinct sound that intrigues and can at times be reminiscent, stylistically of early Youth Lagoon. As Gardner's voice carries the forefront, layered guitars come together to create a surf rock vibe that blends with the vocals to create an overall sound that will draw you in. - Earmilk
After you stream the debut EP from I’m an Island you’ll be shocked by how little time he’s been in the scene.
With the project just over 6 months in, J. Gardner, aka I’m an Island, has managed to develop a sound that most bands take years of crafting–it’s mature and we feel it can stand next to the likes of Youth Lagoon and company. His debut EP titled Crown Jewel has a neo-psychedelia meets dream indie pop vibe and it’s hypnotizing. We’ve been listening to it all morning and can’t seem to do anything except start it over every time it finishes. The Nylon Guys summer playlist will definitely have some I’m an Island tracks on it…there’s no doubt yours will too.
We can’t wait to see what is to come for J, Crown Jewel drops July 1st. Keep up with him on Facebook HERE for release details. - Nylon Guys
From one musical nucleus to another, I’m An Island recently made the move from hometown New Orleans to Nashville; and you can definitely hear the city’s rich influences in his debut track iamurhome. I’m An Island is a project by J. Gardner, a multi-instrumentalist who is calling Music City home after writing his entire forthcoming debut from it’s musical streets. With delicate guitars, sombre ambience and wholesome instrumentation: the track is a solid debut that is at times has inklings of Bombay Bicycle Club and Devendra Banhart. Eclectic in the best sense and definitely worth a listen: - The Music Minute
I’m An Island is the neo-psychedelia / pop solo project of J. Gardner. With a sound similar to acts like Youth Lagoon, Devendra Banhart, and Chad VanGaalen, the New Orleans native (now based out of Nashville) is sure to steal your heart, and make you want to come home. Don’t let your lamps and electrical appliances go lonely for too long. That’d be a mistake. - Earbuddy
I’m An Island (now based in Nashville by way of New Orleans) is the neo-psychedelia / dream pop solo project of J. Gardner. His debut single “iamurhome" features delicate guitars, sombre ambience and wholesome instrumentation, with hints of inspiration from Youth Lagoon, Devendra Banhart, Real Estate and Chad VanGaalen. Keep an eye out for his debut EP, set to be released this summer. - All Tomorrow Music
I’m An Island is the solo project of the Nashville, TN — by way of New Orleans, LA — based multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and food entrepreneur J. Gardner. “Passion Phruit,” is the second track off Gardner’s forthcoming debut EP, Crown Jewel and the track which consists of hypnotic, shimmering guitar and dreamily cooed vocals is a serene bit of shoegazer rock that evokes several things for me — the sensation of being underwater and not wanting to surface; of smoking cigarettes in bed with a lover, as the world goes by your window and being absolutely unconcerned about doing anything at all. - The Joy of Violent Movement
I’m An Island, aka New Orleans songwriter J. Gardner, revels in psych-pop’s placid beauty. While he’s yet to put out much material, the glimpses we’ve heard so far, including “iamurhome”, have all been serene and atmospheric. On July 1st, he’ll finally issue his first official release with an as-yet-untitled EP. In anticipation, Gardner’s shared the effort’s first track, entitled “Passion Phruit”.
Gardner’s laid-back and thoughtful demeanor is apparent in the blissful, synth arpeggios and faint, reverb-drenched guitar. The drums are sparse, allowing room for Gardner to fill the space with his light and airy vocals. Gardner’s gentle vocals readily pierce the hazy instrumentation, crooning on the chorus, “I had a lazy look around/ And you are what I found.” The warmth in the production and lyricism makes for a comforting listen, suitable for slow-moving afternoons. - Consequence of Sound
I'm an Island just released their debut EP "Crown Jewel" July 1st. The collected works of mastermind J. Gardner are absolutely season-appropriate; much of the lazy guitar across these 4 songs is a pretty good approximation of how wobbly and distorted the boom box on the dock sounds as you're surfacing from a running dive off of it. Especially endearing is "Crown Jewel Pt. 2." The pendulum swings a little more towards Vampire Weekend than Will Oldham on this track, but both elements remain present, as they do for the duration of the EP. Gardner has hit upon a distinct vibe, and it is going to be a pleasure to hear more from I'm an Island (especially in the dead of winter.) Check out the whole EP here. - The Deli Magazine
http://vimeo.com/101589239 - Vimeo
Discography
Crown Jewel EP
Photos
Bio
I'm an Island is the dreamy indie/folk brainchild of J. Gardner -- talented multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, and food truck entrepreneur.
In April 2014, Earmilk premiered a track off of his debut EP Crown Jewel -- an intriguing first effort that drew hints of inspiration from Devendra Banhart and Chad VanGaalen, winning praise from Indie Shuffle, CMJ, Consequence of Sound, and NYLON for its serene and sophisticated, dreamy take on indie/psych-pop. "Keep an eye on I'm an Island," Earmilk said. "A bright future [is] ahead."
I'm an Island announced his debut LP Bored Days, Old Years late last year via Consequence of Sound, offering the entire A-Side for streaming. "Bored Days sounds like Gardner at his most intimate," wrote Consequence of Sound, and in late 2015 Indie Shuffle included one of the tracks in their 'Best Folk Songs of 2015' list alongside Sufjan Stevens, Jose Gonzalez, Edward Sharpe and more.
Today I'm an Island reveals album artwork and the first single off of the B-Side, "Vitamin D," at The Wild Honey Pie. "An Ode to the shining rays that disintegrate January blues" (- The Wild Honey Pie).
Much like his debut EP, Bored Years was recorded in Gardner's bedroom in Nashville, where he relocated (from New Orleans) in early 2014. As Gardner settled into his new home and began work on his debut full length with four new band-members, themes of settling into adulthood and struggling with complacency emerged:
"A lot of [the album] addresses how I really feel like I'm getting older, but I still struggle with the monotony of boredom and loneliness... A lot of stuff that I felt as an adolescent, stuff that I felt would magically disappear once got older, are still things I feel and struggle with as an adult."
But Bored Days has a softness. There's a positivity to each song even when the subject matter is bleak, like if Trevor Powers (Youth Lagoon) and Mac DeMarco were to write and co-produce an album together.
Bored Days, Old Years will be released digitally and on vinyl on February 26th via Gigantic Noise.
Band Members
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