The End of an Era
Current mood: blank

When The Garden District was formed two and a half years ago, we had
dreams of taking over. We dreamt of rocking out to hundreds of kids
on stages across the country. We dreamt of crafting powerful and
captivating records in the studio with big name producers. We dreamt
of packing up all our gear and making long road trips together as
brothers.
Though not always as glorious as in our dreams, we achieved all of
these things during our tenure as The Garden District. But it wasn’t
without compromise, and it wasn’t without sacrifice. And as
passionate about the band as we were, each member has always had a
competing set of dreams and passions themselves. Over the past year,
the schizophrenic pull between our lives in The Garden District, and
our personal lives—careers, families, education—has become
overwhelming. We’ve reached a point where the opportunities in our
personal lives can no longer be ignored.

Having said this, it saddens us to announce that our time as The
Garden District has come to an end. Our last show ever will be at the
Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge this Friday, March 21st.

Not to worry however, we will still be pressing our new EP "Black Tie
Affair". It will be available for sale at SmartPunk.com very soon,
with digital distribution through iTunes to follow shortly thereafter.
This myspace page will stay active and checked every now and then by
the band. We will even finish recording an online bonus track called
"There, There" that we began recording in New York at Nada Studios.

Also expect new projects from us in the future...even though TGD may
be at an end, we as individual musicians will continue to write/record/rock
in some way, always.

But as for live shows, and our presence here in New Orleans, this
Friday’s show will finish out our story. We plan on making our exit
with style and grace, so you won’t want to miss our farewell show in
Baton Rouge this Friday. We hope to see a lot of familiar faces in the
crowd.


We want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has ever come to see
us play or supported us in any way. It has meant the world to us.


Take care, kiddos. We’ll see you soon.


heart, your buds:
Shouppe, Kevin, Jeremy, and Shawn
The Garden District

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Black Tie Affair....it was a white dress occasion
Current mood: indescribable
Category: Music

Black Tie Affair is the title track and closer for the new EP.  We paced this song to begin with a lot of driving energy, and end with a really epic climax (nothing says climax like gang vocals!).  Lyrically, the song explores the spectacle of love…..well, marriage to be exact.  Don't get me wrong, I really believe that marriage between two people that truly love each other is an amazing, amazing thing.  But all too often, it becomes a masquerade of ill-intentions, misplaced trust, hidden agendas, or simple naivety…..which I think is one of the great tragedies in our society today.  Something that was once treated with such sacred dignity is rarely viewed today without the heavy influence of cynicism, suspicion, and outright faithlessness. 

Musically, the song is intentionally somewhat schizophrenic…which makes it one of my favorite songs we've ever written.  The tongue-in-cheek verses have a playful dance feel, with the sharp edges of the guitar fills poking through the syncopated beat.  The sporadic vocal harmonies add a touch of rose-colored nostalgia when the appropriate lyrics are delivered.  The instrumental post-choruses bring the song down to a quieter, softer level…..lending a sadly romantic tone and giving the song a bit of breathing room.  The song completely changes character half-way through, in order to end on a hopeful note.  Despite the sarcastic, skeptical tone of the first half….it was important to emphasize a genuine passion and overall optimism for the final moments.  Consider it an epilogue for the entire record.

-Kevin

Currently listening : Come Now Sleep By As Cities Burn Release date: 14 August, 2007

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Snapdragon....the scene is on fire
Current mood: luminous
Category: Music

Snapdragon was written at a time when things were going pretty rough for us as a band.  As with any worthwhile endeavor, there are bound to be those stereotypical pitfalls and struggles that you always hear about on Behind the Music.  And while it all sounds romantic and glorious on TV, it's different when it's your LIFE.

In the 1800's Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll made mention of a popular parlour game called Snapdragon in their literature.  The candles are blown out, and a circle of people is gathered around a bowl of brandy which has been set afire.  Raisins are placed in the bowl of slowly burning brandy, which produces an eerie blue glow.  The basic premise is to pluck the burning raisins out of the fire and extinguish them with your mouth.  If you're quick enough, the cool flame won't burn you...but if you hesitate, the flames will reach your skin.  I read this and thought it made a lot of sense as a metaphor for the music business.  Everyone's vying for the same thing, and there are risks that must be taken to succeed....while the consequences for failure can be severe.  Everyone in this band has risked so much to get where we are today, and it hasn't been without sacrifice, and it hasn't been without loss. But we're not going to slow down or give up because of fear.

Currently listening : Make Your Move By Meriwether Release date: 16 October, 2007

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Jealousy. Plagiarism. (for all the haters)
Category: Music

Jealousy. Plagiarism.

This song is decidely different than any other track on the record.  We really worked hard to manage the pace and mood of this song in an intriguing way.  The time signature dances back and forth, the tempo changes right along with the intensity, and the song actually includes both the softest, and hardest parts of the entire record.  Lyrically, the song responds to anyone who's out there making music for the wrong reasons.  If you keep trying to please the pop radio culture, and keep recycling the same phrases and melodies and song structures, and never really find your true voice....you're never going to achieve anything with substance.  It doesn't matter what connections you have, or how much you pay your publicist....you absolutely have to make it your own.  The song uses the music business as its medium, but it is meant to be interpretted loosely.....the same principles apply to any worthwhile endeavor.....just get out there and do it, and make it your own.

We hope you're all enjoying the new material so far, and we hope that these little explanations are providing you with a little insite into who we are....but stay tuned, there's still much more to come! 

<3 Kevin and TGD

Currently listening : Between the Heart and the Synapse By The Receiving End of Sirens Release date: 26 April, 2005

9:58 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Love/Hate/Shine/Fade...a study in unsteadiness
Current mood: breezy

This song is about the inevitable connection between the bright and dark side of things.  The musical references to Counting Crows' "Long December" and Jimmy Eat World's "Crush" are really important to the song…because they both have such a personal nostalgic presence to me.  Nostalgia can be such a magical but dangerous thing when it comes to relationships…..because it fools you into remembering only the good side….which is never the whole story.  The line "I can promise you the end" is meant to be interpreted in two ways…..either "I promise to end up with you"……or "The only thing that is certain is that this will end".  Overall though, the most important message of the song is one of hope….that you have to believe that there is someone or something out there to save you.  I honestly believe that

Lyrically, this definitely came out as the "simplest" track on the album….which some would argue makes it the "poppiest" track….for better or worse.  All I know is that it's a helluva good time to play!  So learn the "simple" words and come sing along at our shows!!!

Stay tuned for the next track soon….it's called "Jealousy. Plagiarism"…and in contrast, it's probably the most complex song on the record.  Hope you like it!!!!

-Kevin and TGD

Currently listening : No Really, I’m Fine By The Spill Canvas Release date: 02 October, 2007

3:08 PM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Kevlar Heart....a love story <3
Current mood: thirsty
Category: Music

Some of you have been asking about the meaning behind Kevlar Heart.  And while I have always generally tried to write songs that can be interpreted in many different ways, I feel that the songs from this record deserve some kind of explanation.  There is definitely a loose underlying theme that ties all of the tracks from Black Tie Affair together.  They're all about the complex contradictions that exist in people.  I've seen them in my personal experiences, in my relationships with other people, and in our society as a whole.  Without getting into too much rhetoric, I'll just say this…..people are curious and complicated beings.  The spectrum of emotions that we experience is not black and white.  For each song on the record, I tried to explore this complex range.

Kevlar Heart, for example, describes the way in which we harden ourselves to keep from being hurt.  After being burned too many times by other people, we get jaded, and we block people out.  Sometimes we even go too far…and we end up being the one who hurts another person.  But in the end, it leaves us empty.

I'll be giving similar insights into the other songs from the record as we release them…so check back often.  In fact, stay tuned later today for the next song off our new EP….Love/Hate/Shine/Fade !!!!!!!

Much love,

Kevin and TGD

Currently listening : Lost Songs By Anberlin Release date: 20 November, 2007

7:34 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Nada Studios Part II
Current mood: awake
Category: Music

After 7 airplanes, a bus, 3 subways, 5 taxis, 4 trains, and over 3000 driven miles later....our experience in New York has come to an end.  And I have to say....the record sounds amazing.  John and Paul at Nada Studios completely exceeded our expectations every day.  It's pretty intimidating to walk into a place where so many ridiculously good bands have recorded before.....but through a combination of obscene jokes, inappropriately hilarious shenanigans, and good ol' northern hospitality...they made us feel right at home. 

It was a truly phenomenal experience to hear all of the pieces come together on each song.  We've been dreaming up these songs for months, and to finally hear everything in harmony, in perfect time, with the just the right tones.....there's no way to describe it.

Anyway, enough rhetoric......go check out the new pics from the studio!  We'll be adding more over the next few days, so keep checking back.  We'll also be adding extensive documentary video footage as soon as our boy Danny is finished working his magic in the editing room.  He's pretty much the man...and we're all very excited to see what he comes up with!

As for the music....stay tuned kids....we'll be releasing the EP in its entirety online very soon! 

Currently listening : Red Letter Day By The Get Up Kids Release date: 20 July, 1999

7:05 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Nada Studios Part I
Current mood: crunk

Alrighty kiddos, we start our 5th day of recording today, and to say that everything sounds phenomenal so far is an understatement. Our producer/homeskillet John Naclerio is as hip as they get, and we're having a blast working with him.

We also got our boy Danny up here, a professional filmmaker from Richmond, VA who is gonna make us an awesome 3-5 minute video for myspace/purevolume filled with interviews, the entire recording process, and of course mad shenanigans. Look for it soon...

Gotta make this one short and sweet, time to go lay down some phresh vocals. We'll post another blog when everything's wrapping up. We leave you with a couple of pics of Shawn laying down bass, but of course we'll post dozens when we get back. You're all going to LOVE this new ep.

heart,
Shouppe, Kevin, Chauncy, and Jmillz
Mofo'in District

7:29 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

purevolume = where it’s at!
Category: Music

If you want to get up with some kids who love to get down.....head on over to purevolume and peep our new updated profile!  You can get exclusive downloads (that means free kids!!!) of three tracks from our first album, So Much It Hurts.  Make yourself at home and befriend us virtually, leave bitchin comments, and set that music player on fiah!  We'll be doing some pretty schweet promotions through purevolume in the very near future, so keep a look out for us on the front page!!!

And if you really like what you find over there, grab this banner below and post it on your page with a link to our PV page!  Now we're talkin'! 

ur bff's,

<3 TGD

Currently listening : A Lesson in Romantics By Mayday Parade Release date: 10 July, 2007

11:24 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Christmas Show at the Howlin’ Wolf!!!
Current mood: breezy
Category: Music

Happy Holidays everyone!  For all of our New Orleans friends, we will be playing a special Christmas weekend show with our friends Tuesday's Debut on Saturday, December 22nd at the Howlin' Wolf.  This will be our last show before we head up to New York to record our new record with Nada Studios!  It's gonna be supertastic!

In addition to rocking faces, the Garden District will also be providing every guest with a special Christmas gift bag!!!!  You guys are the reason we do this, so we want to show our appreciation.

Currently listening : Illinois By Sufjan Stevens Release date: 05 July, 2005

11:15 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment