GIFT tell us how Madonna, Andrew Weatherall, Spiritualized & more influenced their new album ‘Illuminator’

“I don’t want to feel sad when I’m listening to music. That’s never been the goal for GIFT,” singer/guitarist TJ Freda says of his band’s second album (and first for Captured Tracks). “It was always meant to be this escapist yet freeing euphoria that anyone could go out and dance to and feel amazing. But I also wanted to talk about some real feelings. There’s this duality between darker lyrics underneath a joyous pop structure.” Devotees of the current shoegaze scene will find lots to like on Illuminator, as will fans of classic ‘80s alt-rock like New Order and Echo & The Bunnymen, as will those who remember the early-’90s when moody post-punks discovered rave. Even if none of those things are boxes you’re looking to be ticked, blissed-out, danceable rock songs like “Wish Me Away,” “Going In Circles,” and “Glow” are undeniable all on their own. Listen to the album below.

For more on Illuminator, the band made us a list of 10 influences, mostly music, including Madonna, Spiritualized, the late Andrew Weatherall, Pharrell and Timbaland, their hometown and more. Read their list and commentary below.

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GIFT – 10 INFLUENCES BEHIND ‘ILLUMINATOR’

Madonna – Ray of Light
Ray of Light inspired a lot of our production choices on Illuminator. Madonna with William Orbit is a strong collaboration and brought in a new era for Madonna.

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A Glasgow Drum and Bass Rave
The UK has a rich history of Jungle and Drum and Bass music. We were in Glasgow on our last EU/UK tour and the promoters took us to a DnB rave after our show. Mixed with mind altering substances, this made for a very influential night for us.

New York City
After touring non-stop the last 2 years, visiting most every major city. Nothing is quite on the level of NYC.The community in NYC is unmatched and going out played a huge influence in the making of Illuminator. NYC is exciting, horrible, and amazing all wrapped up into one city.

Andrew Weatherall
Iconic British DJ and producer who remixed many of the best bands to come out of the 90’s. He was the producer of Primal Scream’s Screamadelica bringing in acid house influences fusing it with a rock band. His work was a big touchstone for Illuminator.

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Pharrell and Timbaland Golden Era Production
It feels wrong to lump the 2 together as they are very different artists, but we couldn’t choose one over the other. We were very inspired by 2000’s Timbaland and Pharrell production work. We love their experimental, often left-field choices, which were both minimalistic and futuristic. They stood in contrast to many other producers of the time, while working within a pop and hip-hop context.

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Spiritualized – Lazer Guided Melodies
Jason Pierce’s first album after the break up of Spacemen 3. This is an album that we will always come back to. It has meticulous layering and intertwining sounds that keep you mesmerized from front to back on the album.

Captured Tracks
There’s a lot of history on the roster of Captured Tracks, especially NYC bands that have inspired us. The label, history and roster were very inspirational for us while making Illuminator, feeling like we were carrying the NYC Captured Tracks torch.

Not caring about genres
If it sounds cool, it sounds cool! Should we incorporate a breakbeat sample? Of course. Autotuned vocals over a more guitar-focused song? Yes. With Illuminator we really tried to stick with what sounded exciting to us, regardless of whether it fit any sort of expected mold.

Yerba Mate (Enlightenmint can version)
TJ doesn’t drink caffeine, but for the rest of us this is our lifeblood.

The Verve live at Wigan, Haigh Hall (1998)
Amazing show. While the cooler Verve choice is A Storm in Heaven, and most people only associate them with “Bittersweet Symphony,” I think peak Verve is live as a 5-piece pulling from their first three records.

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GIFT will be on tour this fall with fantasy of a broken heart and Catcher, including NYC’s Bowery Ballroom on 9/20 with Catcher and Public Circuit. They’ll also be touring Europe with Bodega. All dates are below.

GIFT TOUR DATES
Sept 13 – Troy, NY – No Fun (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 14 – Boston, MA – Rockwell (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 15 – Portland, ME – Oxbow Brewing (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 17 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Showcase (w. Fantasy Of A Broken Heart)
Sept 20 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (w. Catcher, Public Circuit) *Record Release Show*
Sept 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy (w. Catcher)
Sept 22 – Washington, DC – DC9 (w. Catcher)
Sept 25 – Chicago, IL – Schubas (w. Catcher)
Oct 10 – Brighton, UK – The Hope & Ruin
Oct 11 – London, UK – Moth Club
Oct 12 – Manchester, UK – YES (Basement)
Oct 14 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds
Oct 15 – Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms (w. BODEGA)
Oct 16 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club (w. BODEGA)
Oct 17 – Glasgow, UK – Room 2 (w. BODEGA)
Oct 18 – Newcastle upon Tyne, UK – The Cluny (w. BODEGA)
Oct 19 – Cardiff, UK – SWN FEST
Oct 21 – Cambridge, UK – Junction 2 (w. BODEGA)
Oct 22 – Sheffield, UK – Crookes Social Club (w. BODEGA)
Oct 23 – Bristol, UK – Lantern Hall (w. BODEGA)
Oct 24 – London, UK – Earth Hall (w. BODEGA)
Oct 26 – Amsterdam, NL – LONDON CALLING @ Paradiso (w. Chanel Beads, STRKFR, English Teacher)
Oct 27 – Appeldorn, NL – De Gigant
Nov 1 – Utrecht, NL – DB’s
Nov 4 – Paris, FR – SuperSonic
Nov 5 – Dijon, FR – Club La Vapeur
Nov 6 – Nantes, FR – La Lune Froide
Nov 7 – Lorient, FR – Les Indisciplinées (L’Hydrophone) (w. Corridor & Cucamaras)
Nov 8 – Saint, Lô, FR – Les RDV Soniques Festival (Ateliers Arts Plumes)