solo acoustic show
“Gardiner has a voice that conveys the pieces inside of us that can’t always speak. Relatable, soulful, and honest, his songwriting is structured in observations. He’s a modern voice to old problems that continue to haunt our society.” - Tom Smouse
“The Fire and The Medicine’, promises to be a blend of the personal and the political. From a musical family and having written songs since he was in school, Gardiner has poured all his experience into his fifth full-length record.” - Andrew Frolish
BIO
Eli Gardiner was born and raised in the U.P of Michigan but now calls
Minneapolis home. A prolific songwriter, Gardiner released 4 new singles in the
summer of '25 and his new EP, Sliver in March of '26
Initially influenced by the likes of Dylan, Neil Young
and Tom Waits, he has carved out his sound through hundreds of
solo shows across the Midwest, harkening to the sounds of John
Moreland, Jason Isbell and Chris Knight. His music has been played
on MPR, CBS, The Current and countless local stations.
solo acoustic show
solo acoustic show
solo acoustic show
solo acoustic show
A special listening room show in Rochester
Soulful, weathered Americana for fans of Jason Isbell, John Moreland & Springsteen’s Nebraska side. Honest songs, close up.
Eli Gardiner writes songs that feel weathered, human, and wide open — the kind of Americana that carries the dust of old roads, the ache of real life, and the quiet hope that keeps people moving.
Born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and now based in Minneapolis, Gardiner blends Americana, heartland rock, and folk into songs that are intimate, soulful, and deeply rooted in story. His music has drawn comparisons to the emotional grit of John Moreland, Jason Isbell, and Chris Knight, while still carving out a voice that is unmistakably his own.
Gardiner’s latest EP, Sliver, released in March 2026, follows his haunting 2023 album Transient — a hushed, home-recorded collection inspired in part by the stark storytelling of Springsteen’s Nebraska. His songs move between the personal and the political, the lonely and the communal, always circling back to what it means to be human, to endure, and to keep reaching for connection.
Music in Minnesota called him “relatable, soulful, and honest,” while Americana UK praised his voice as “full of character and soul.” Whether solo, acoustic, or backed by a full band, Eli Gardiner brings the kind of songwriting that belongs in a listening room — raw enough to feel immediate, crafted enough to stay with you long after the last note fades.
This is exactly the kind of show White Lilac was built for: honest songs, close quarters, and a room full of people actually listening.
Eli Gardiner writes songs that feel weathered, human, and wide open — the kind of Americana that carries the dust of old roads, the ache of real life, and the quiet hope that keeps people moving.
Born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and now based in Minneapolis, Gardiner blends Americana, heartland rock, and folk into songs that are intimate, soulful, and deeply rooted in story. His music has drawn comparisons to the emotional grit of John Moreland, Jason Isbell, and Chris Knight, while still carving out a voice that is unmistakably his own.
Gardiner’s latest EP, Sliver, released in March 2026, follows his haunting 2023 album Transient — a hushed, home-recorded collection inspired in part by the stark storytelling of Springsteen’s Nebraska. His songs move between the personal and the political, the lonely and the communal, always circling back to what it means to be human, to endure, and to keep reaching for connection.
Music in Minnesota called him “relatable, soulful, and honest,” while Americana UK praised his voice as “full of character and soul.” Whether solo, acoustic, or backed by a full band, Eli Gardiner brings the kind of songwriting that belongs in a listening room — raw enough to feel immediate, crafted enough to stay with you long after the last note fades.
This is exactly the kind of show White Lilac was built for: honest songs, close quarters, and a room full of people actually listening.
-
Negative 8 2:480:00/2:48
-
Sliver 3:070:00/3:07
-
Song is King 3:240:00/3:24
-
Little Birds 2:240:00/2:24
-
Hold the line 3:170:00/3:17