The Grand Haven native who’s made a splash in Los Angeles and beyond returns to Michigan for summer shows in his home state. Before that, he shared a playlist of 10 favorite songs with Local Spins.
Since moving to Los Angeles two years ago and releasing his first EP, “Candy,” on Universal Music’s Interscope Records, Garrett Borns — known simply as Borns — has created a stir with the music industry media and some high-profile fans.
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No less than country/pop mega-star Taylor Swift praised his debut as an “instant classic” on Twitter and LA Weekly gushed about “the infectious and sunny-synth pop gem” of that EP’s first single, “10,000 Emerald Pools.”
“Borns (backed by a four-piece band) proved himself to be an accomplished showman, poised to become a bona fide star thanks to his Jeff Buckley-esque falsetto and charismatic stage presence,” the publication also raved of his performance at Hollywood’s posh Bardot nightclub that had the vibe of “a wildly anticipated prom” with a line of fans stretching down the block.
(Mashable also couldn’t help but be impressed by the unusual, “immersive pre-concert experience” at one of his L.A. shows last spring.)
The 23-year-old Grand Haven native and multi-instrumentalist who first created a buzz in West Michigan before heading to New York, then Los Angeles, has also appeared on “Conan,” racked up more than 1 million views of his lush videos (and audio versions) for the singles, “10,000 Emerald Pools” and “Electric Love,” and is currently in the midst of a European tour.
Borns plays The Fillmore in Detroit with Charli XCX and Bleachers on Aug. 11. Get tickets and details online here. A few days later, on Aug. 14, he plays a free show as part of the Bank of Ann Arbor Sonic Lunch series at noon in Ann Arbor.
Suffice to say, the music world is taking notice. But amid all of this, at Local Spins’ request, Borns supplied a guest playlist of 10 of his favorite songs. Check them out here, along with a Spotify version below.
BORNS: THE LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST
1. “Pomme,” Sebastien Tellier – The message is in the moans.
2. “Shapeless & Gone,” Porcelain Raft – The message is in the title.
3. “Baby Love,” Petite Meller – The message is in the saxophone solo at 2:53.
4. “Some Minds,” Flume feat. Andrew Wyatt – The message is in the verse melody.
5. “Venus,” Air – The message is in the synth starting at 1:34.
6. “Soldier Jane,” Beck – The message is in the tone of Beck’s voice.
7. “Aloha Oe,” Enoch Light – The message is in the opening flute scale.
8. “Look,” Sebastien Tellier – The message is in the line, ‘Killing me by shoot, just in once.’
9. “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone,” Unknown Mortal Orchestra – The message is in the mess of chords.
10. “Latin-Esque,” Esquivel – The message is in whatever you’d like it to be.
BORNS: LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY
VIDEO: BORNS, “Electric Love”
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC