On The Verge

Young the Giant

Irvine, Calif.
The Indie–Mainstream Balancing Act
www.youngthegiant.com

After years of playing talent shows and all-ages venues in Orange County as The Jakes, and touring as an opener for bands like Steel Train, eclectic alt-rock band Young the Giant has finally hit it on its own. With help from the single, “My Body”—a radio staple that takes the best aspects of roots bands like Delta Spirit and makes it palatable for a mainstream audience—Young the Giant has scored some plumb festival gigs, including Lollapalooza. The strength of the band’s high-energy live show and its recent radio success has helped the group balance its indie credibility and growing popularity. The guys are huge LA Lakers fans—they note that missing games is one of the worst parts of being on tour—so proof of their success came in sportier terms, when Fox Sports West played one of their songs. “They use ‘My Body’ for the Kobe highlights,” exclaims singer Sameer Gadhia. “We’re that band—you should give us season tickets!”