Gardenia - Jam In The Van [EP]

Gardenia – the Brooklyn heavy indie duo of Ryan Zakin (vocals, bass) and Josh Setala (drums) – have released a new session with Jam in the Van, arriving as a live EP mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Jack Shirley (Jeff Rosenstock, Gouge Away, Deafheaven).

Filmed just before the Los Angeles stop of their tour, the session finds Gardenia turning a van into something that feels more like a packed club – distorted bass, explosive drumming and huge, anthemic melodies that are hard to believe come from only two people. Performing three songs from their new self-titled album, the set is a showcase of the raw intensity and anthemic songwriting Gardenia has built a reputation on, exploring fame, obsession and disillusionment with modern life through sharp storytelling and hooks that don’t let go.

Gardenia formed in the backroom of a rundown Brooklyn recording studio, where Zakin and Setala started turning late-night noise into sharp, emotionally direct songs shaped by desire, disillusionment and the frayed edges of modern connection. Drawing on Queens of the Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys, the duo’s sound centers on distorted low end, hard drums and unfiltered songwriting.

Rooted in New York’s indie underground but quickly outgrowing it, Gardenia has become a fast-rising presence in Brooklyn’s alt scene, earning recognition from MTV, BrooklynVegan, Ones To Watch, Under the Radar, EARMILK, New Noise Magazine and Rebel Noise, alongside a reputation for visceral live shows. Gardenia, the band’s new self-titled album, is out now via Mint 400 Records.