carpetgarden

“shimmering and quietly depressed slacker pop” The FADER 
 
“whimsical sonics and heartfelt anecdotes” The Line of Best Fit 
 
“a beacon for other young queer people” Loud & Quiet |“dazzling pop” DIY 
 
“carpetgarden occupies a singular, solitary realm” CLASH | “carpetgarden has big main character energy” DORK 

carpetgarden (they/them) aka 24-year-old LA-based polymath, David Sweet, releases their much-anticipated new single ‘Cheerleader’ today (Nov 30th) via BWC x House Anxiety.  

For their first official release of 2023, they took a trip to Atlanta on the invite of legendary producer Ben H Allen. David eagerly enlisted the man responsible for some of the most acclaimed records of ‘Now’ to elevate one of their latest creations to all new levels. Having crafted the classic opuses that made names of Animal Collective, Deerhunter and Washed Out, to Gnarls Barlkey’s debut and Belle And Sebastian’s latest offering, carpetgarden now joins that esteemed discography.  

With the multi-talented artist spending nearly a year distilling creative juices, this release also marks the maiden voyage on their very own brand new label venture BWC, continuing to work in collaboration with close comrades at House Anxiety, who released their last two landmark EPs.  

The track lands with a stylish video directed by their real-life cousin Ralph Valle, exemplifying the creative independence they showcase throughout all aspects of their work. The pair’s special creative dynamic makes for exciting results. “It was fun being able to fuse visual elements of a sport both of our families were passionate about as we were growing up,” Ralph recalls. “In a way we got to revisit our childhood and come together again like our families would in the past.” 

A scuzzy, fizzing, bottle-rocket of a track, it careers forwards at pace, coalescing 90s influence through a hyperactive Gen-Z lens. In this sense, it builds on ground established over the coupling of EP releases, culminating in last years’ exquisite sophomore EP release ‘WTF is even going on?’ 

Of the themes behind the new single David explains: “Cheerleader is a song about identity and gender envy. Written from the perspective of a football player, the lyric: “I wanna be a cheerleader”, refers to the character being the perfect man but desiring the life of the all american bottle-blonde cheerleader." 

The Fresno, California native has honed an unmistakable sound, fusing elements of bedroom-pop and lo-fi indie with beatsy R&B grooves, dystopian electronics, as well as a consistent element of anarchic chaos that ensures that if carpetagrden is playing then you never quite know what may be lying around the corner.  

Lyrics remain one of carpetgarden’s definitive traits. David’s wry smarts, candid, personal anecdotes and self-aware sense-of-humour ring throughout their verses, as their songwriting escorts us on the journey of a 20-something attempting to make sense of this weird ‘ol world, as they embrace their identity and try their very best to have as much fun as they can.  

carpetgarden has truly begun to resonate on a global scale. David’s former career making ends meet as a sandwich artist finally feels distant history. When carpetgarden at last eclipsed their Subway earnings, they gave up their day job, but not before mastering the sauce section. 

Well over 100 million streams, and over 100k followers across their socials point to their compelling persona both on record and online.  

When they emerge in the local Los Angeles’ music scene, carpetgarden is often approached by excited fans. It’s been difficult for them to reconcile that their music (often conceived cathartically in the wee hours), might also connect with others. 

Nonetheless, it seems only right that a queer, non-conforming, sandwich artist composing titillatingly “twee” indie-rock ballads should serve as voice of the next generation. Besides, carpetgarden can’t help it. From songwriting to the sauce section, everything they touch turns to art. “I’m just so happy people get to see everything that’s been built up in my mind,” they say. “The opportunity to go bigger and better is so exciting.”