‘Better than I imagined,’ the Grand Haven native says of the ‘Electric Love’ he’s received from fans across the globe as he prepares to play his only Michigan show in Detroit this weekend. Local Spins revisits the Michigan-bred singer and rising star. (Interview, video)
Homecoming: Borns will entertain his native Michigan fans on Saturday. (Photo/Paul Sinkevics)
Leave it to Borns – that fast-emerging, psychedelic pop force – to quote one of glam rock’s original psychedelic superstars when describing his whirlwind year of chart success and international touring.
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Bouquets and Fan Adulation: Borns playing a sold-out show in New York last fall. (Photo/Paul Sinkevics)
“It’s been windy and wild all right,” the 24-year-old Grand Haven native told Local Spins, borrowing a line from T. Rex’s 1971 hit, “Bang a Gong (Get It On).”
“I’ve never traveled and performed so much in my life. The highlights have been going on the road with a team of talented folks I adore. Fans at shows are quite gracious and gift me with silk shirts and bouquets.”
The silk shirts and bouquets also seem apropos for the soft-spoken, flower-loving singer who started his career as Garrett Borns, a teen multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who generated a buzz with his music even as a student at Grand Haven High School.
Indeed, he made his first appearance for Local Spins Live on the radio back in early 2012, after independently releasing his debut EP recording with Grand Haven producer and engineer Bill Chrysler.
TV EXPOSURE, INTERNATIONAL TOURING AND A HOMECOMING IN DETROIT
But it was after his move to Los Angeles in 2013 that things really took off, eventually leading him to Interscope Records and the release of his full-length debut album, “Dopamine,” featuring the hit singles “Electric Love” and “10,000 Emerald Pools.” The album peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 chart.
His sold-out concerts have attracted exuberant, squealing fans, he’s appeared on “Conan” and “The Tonight Show,” his songs have been used in national TV commercials, and National Public Radio gushed last fall that Borns had become “an instant sensation.”
Borns, “Dopamine”
On Saturday evening, he’s performing among the headliners at Detroit’s Mo Pop Festival in West Rivefront Park, along with other stars such as Haim and G-Eazy. He follows that on Sunday with an appearance at Ontario’s WayHome Music & Arts Festival. And in August, he mounts yet another European tour. (Check out a video of a live performance below.)
“I’ve been preparing since I was 5, but it’s better than I imagined,” Borns said of the success, global touring and accolades he’s received.
But he’s also understandably thrilled to return to his home state for Mo Pop – the only Michigan stop scheduled for Borns this summer and fall, and a chance for him to meet up with family and friends.
“Homecoming, yes,” he said in describing the show. “Nothing like playing for your close friends. It makes me a lot more nervous though.”
Although Borns wouldn’t say whether he might eventually perform in the Grand Rapids area, closer to his roots, the singer-songwriter hinted slyly that he is at work on a “very top secret” new recording.
And what can fans expect from his riverfront set at Mo Pop in Detroit?
“Probably floral patterns and high pheromones.”
Read more about Mo Pop and see the full festival schedule as part of this Local Spins story.
VIDEO: Borns, “Electric Love” (Live)
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