If songs like “I'd Really Love to See You Tonight” and “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” make you think of kicking back on a boat and cruising in the summertime, you’re not alone.
YouTube coined the genre “yacht rock” to describe the soft rock sound of the 1970s and '80s, and Warwick native Tom Gardner, guitarist with the band Yächtley Crëw, invites you to get on board with the vibes when their “Full Steam Ahead” tour stops at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Saturday, July 27.
“It’s like a feeling that reminds you of your childhood or first love. It’s nostalgia,” says Gardner, who goes by the stage name Tommy Buoy. “It’s actually a jazz-rock fusion that’s pretty hard to play. We had to step up our game to learn these songs, many of which were originally performed by high-quality studio musicians.”
After years performing solo and in bands across the region – maybe you’ve heard his song “Summertime in Rhode Island” with the rock/reggae band Someday Providence – Gardner moved to Los Angeles in 2010. He connected with six other musicians to form Yächtley Crëw, which performed for the first time in January 2017, and he says “it’s been kind of a rocket ride since then.”
Clad in nautical attire for shows, the band has performed with artists like Elliot Lurie, lead singer of the band Looking Glass, whose song “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” is one of the covers Yächtley Crëw regularly includes in set lists. After signing with Jimmy Buffett’s Mailboat Records label, they also had a six-month residency in Las Vegas.
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Born in 1983, Gardner, a Pilgrim High School and University of Rhode Island graduate, says he was drawn to the mellow sound of yacht rock even before it was so named. Songs like Steely Dan’s “Reeling in the Years,” “Don’t Bring Me Down” by ELO and “Rich Girl” by Hall & Oates are buoyant, he says.
As for the definition of yacht rock, he says that’s highly debated in the industry but generally revolves around big vocals and harmonies.
“We let the fans tell us what they want to hear,” Gardner says. “Some songs end up borderline yacht rock, but if the fans love it, we’ll play it. We also bring our own style. We’re faithful to the originals, but we are high-energy with choreography, banter and lights. We’re here to entertain!”
Yächtley Crëw performed several years ago at The Strand in Providence, but the group has multiple venues in the area on this year’s tour, including three in Massachusetts: Indian Ranch in Webster, South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, and the Cape Cod Melody tent in Hyannis.
“The whole sailing vibe fits in with New England,” Gardner says, adding that he loves returning to his home state. “I’m always going to be proud of Rhode Island. It’s special when we see someone from here – it’s like one big town.”
If you go ...
What: Yächtley Crëw
When: Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m.
Where: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence
Tickets: $10-$45
Info:ppacri.org, (401) 421-2787
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