GAVIN is the brand new collaborative project consisting of two real-life Gavins; Monty & The Kraken (Gavin Montgomery) and Rockavelli (Gavin Rocker). The two Atlanta natives grew up in the same part of town. About three years ago they decided to pool their creative resources and make some music.
Regular readers of The Static Dive will remember Monty from his 2020 debut Release the Kraken and his brand new solo album Eternal. Those records introduced a vastly talented multi-instrumentalist producer, singer and songwriter with a versatile and soulful style.
Rock brings more of an alternative “rockish” sound with his ability to yell, etc. I bring more of a soulful sound. This gives us that signature sound that blends the styles.
Gavin “Monty” Montgomery
Bondfire is the brand new debut EP from GAVIN, released worldwide to all major streaming services on July 4, 2022. The 6-song collection mixes pop, hip-hop and r&b styles from across the decades to create a distinctively modern vibe. The record opens with the synthwave soul of “Night Ride.” The two singers trade verses for a late night r&b/synthwave cruise. We can almost see the lights of the ATL skyline as they lay down boy band harmonies over a cool New Wave groove.
The romantic retro soul theme continues as ambient and percussive synths ride a classic drum machine beat for the cat & mouse courtship of “Wanted You.” Throughout the record we follow GAVIN as they navigate the ups and downs of love. “Hard to Love” chronicles the difficulty of maintaining a relationship with an uncertain artistic soul.
As “Give” opens on the unmistakable electric piano bounce of a classic House rhythm. GAVIN looks for healing in a troubled relationship as a mid-tempo four-on-the-floor beat drops for a cool mix of dark pop, r&b and dance music. The title track follows with a romantic summertime slow jam escape fantasy. Deep bass tones and a jazz guitar ride a slow trap beat. The song also features a sly “I want it that way” shoutout to the record’s classic pop/soul roots. “Kind of Love” closes out the set with a painful relationship post mortem set to a hypnotic melody and a cool downtempo percussive groove.
Check out Bondfire below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. Follow the links below to connect with GAVIN. Get on their profiles and dig in to the new Atlanta sound.
Connect with GAVIN
