Live Music: Eli Gardner

Eli Gardiner was born and raised in the U.P of Michigan but now calls Minneapolis home. A prolific songwriter, Gardiner released two albums in 2023, a full band live album and a solo acoustic offering titled “Transient” 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. Music in Minnesota says, “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.”