Guards

Psychedelic pop group Guards first took shape when Richie James Follin of Willowz began writing and recording alongside his sister Madeline Follin’s band Cults during breaks between tours. Booking inquiries generated by tracks posted online prompted him in 2010 to assemble a fixed roster that included his vocals and guitar, Kaylie Church on keyboards and vocals, and Loren Humphrey—also of Willowz—on drums. That same year the trio signed to 3 Syllables Records and issued a self-titled debut EP. After developing new songs, the band put out “Silver Lining” in 2012, which was subsequently licensed for a U.S. collegiate Big Ten Conference public service ad. Their first LP, In Guards We Trust, arrived in early 2013 on Black Bell Records, its sound built on heavy reverb and expansive choruses. In late 2014 they released the lush “Nothing More,” drawn from a sophomore album planned for 2015.