#STLSOTD is an I Went to a Show.com Monday-Friday feature that introduces followers to St. Louis music by spotlighting one track by one artist or band from IWTAS’ Bandcamp Directory of St. Louis Music.  As always, we welcome your suggestions. If we pick the song you share with us on Twitter, Facebook, or in the comments section of this post, we’ll make sure to give you a shout out.

Vanilla Beans

When he’s not performing in a Star Trek outfit on a Nintendo 3DS for his solo electronic project, 3 of 5, Andy Garces is leading Vanilla Beans, a young pop outfit boasting bright electronic elements and sharp lyrics. The band’s power comes from what it isn’t: Vanilla Beans is smart, earnest, and weird, but as a pop band they manage to avoid being too adorable or sweet.

Today’s STLSOTD was suggested by Facebook follower Matt S. Thanks, Matt! Since I’d been crushing hard on the music of the Vanilla Beans recently anyway, “Teleport” also had my vote to become this week’s first local song spotlight. (I skipped yesterday, but I did a ticket giveaway so cool out.) “Teleport” is the lead track off Don’t Think It’s Weird, the band’s 2013 full-length release, which is available on their Bandcamp for whatsoever you choose to pay.

The group also gifted us with a 4-song EP just days ago, called FFFF.

Vanilla Beans is Andy Garces, Todd Anderson, Chris Eiliers, and Ani Kramer. They play June 7th in the Grove (time/location TBD) as part of The Riverfront Times’ annual local music showcase.