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Yächtley Crëw brings ‘yacht rock’ to RI, with Warwick resident on board

If songs like “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” and “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” make you think of a fun summer boat ride, you’re not alone.

YouTube coined the genre ‘yacht rock’ to describe the soft rock sound of the ’70s and ’80s, and Warwick native and guitarist with the band Yächtley Crëw Tom Gardner invites you to get in on the vibe 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 your first love. It’s nostalgia,” says Gardner, who goes by the stage name Tommy Buoy. “It’s basically a jazz-rock fusion that’s quite difficult to play. We had to improve our playing to learn these songs, many of which were originally performed by high-quality studio musicians.”

After years of performing solo and in bands around the region—you may have heard his song “Summertime in Rhode Island” with the rock/reggae band Someday Providence—Gardner moved to Los Angeles in 2010. He joined forces with six other musicians to form Yächtley Crëw, which first performed in January 2017, and he says “it’s been kind of a rocket ride ever since.”

Dressed in nautical attire for shows, the band has performed with artists such as Elliot Lurie, lead singer of the band Looking Glass, whose song “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” is among the covers Yächtley Crëw regularly includes in setlists. After signing with Jimmy Buffett’s Mailboat Records label, they also had a six-month residency in Las Vegas.

Gardner, born in 1983 and a graduate of Pilgrim High School and the University of Rhode Island, says he was drawn to the mellow sound of yacht rock before it was even called that. Songs like Steely Dan’s “Reeling in the Years,” ELO’s “Don’t Bring Me Down” and Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl” are upbeat, he says.

As for the definition of yacht rock, he says it is hotly debated in the music industry, but that it generally revolves around powerful vocals and harmonies.

“We let the fans tell us what they want to hear,” Gardner says. “Some songs border on yacht rock, but if the fans love it, we play it. We also bring our own style. We’re true to the original songs, but we’re energetic with choreography, banter and lights. We’re here to entertain!”

Yächtley Crëw performed at The Strand in Providence a few years ago, but the group is hitting multiple venues in the region this year, 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 is New England,” Gardner says, adding that he’s excited to return to his home state. “I’ll always be proud of Rhode Island. It’s special when we see someone from here — it’s like one big city.”