GIVERS

In understanding GIVERS, it’s helpful to think of a constellation, a configuration of points that, when placed in succession, led to the band’s brilliant debut. The metaphor proves particularly useful given the name of their album – “In Light” is a collection filled with uncontainable brightness, buoyed by constantly evolving rhythms, warmed by spangling guitars, and illuminated by the melodic altruism that is the band’s mission statement. Mixed by Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Cee-Lo) as well as Chris Coady (Beach House, Grizzly Bear) and produced by members of the band along with friend and engineer Korey Richey, “In Light” is as complex as it is enjoyable. It is a record that is as unique as the sounds of the state in which the band lives, and GIVERS themselves.

GIVERS first came together when lead singer/guitarist Taylor Guarisco and lead singer/percussionist Tiffany Lamson both started attending University in New Orleans. Lamson, waiting for renovations to be complete in her new apartment, ended up

crashing on Guarisco’s couch. They quickly bonded over a shared love of bands, and revealed they were both musicians. Guarisco's immersion in the sounds of New Orleans as a youth led him to play in handful of different funk, Cajun, and Zydeco groups. This influence on his playing was easily complemented by Lamson's strong upbringing and appreciation for classic rock, soul, and pop.

Hurricane Katrina forced the duo back to their hometown of Lafayette, where they began to play together regularly, eventually recruiting drummer Kirby Campbell, keyboardist Will Henderson, saxophonist/keyboardist Nick Stephan and bassist Josh LeBlanc to fill out their sound. The players spent most of their waking hours creating improvised jams and molding them into powerful songs, recording in drummer Campbell’s apartment as they went. After a handful of local gigs, it was an opening slot for The Dirty Projectors that solidified GIVERS’ fate in July 2009: realizing that music was their calling, the band made a pact to focus all of their attention to getting GIVERS off the ground. The Dirty Projectors liked them so much they asked them to open the east coast leg of their fall tour; soon after, Ra Ra Riot did the same.

Stereogum called them a “Band to Watch” for 2010, and blog buzz began to reach a fever pitch. GIVERS played and played, bringing their dizzying live energy from coast to coast, eventually ending up in front of Glassnote Entertainment Group’s legendary musical guru, Daniel Glass at the Austin City Limits Festival. Glass was so taken by the band’s infectious sound and jubilant live show that he signed them immediately.