Based in Richmond, California, USA, Golden Teardrops (taken from a BMX Bandits B-side) are the husband/wife duo of Ryan Marquez (Apple Orchard) and Lei Marquez (Spring Boutique). Inspired mostly by Brian Wilson’s best work with The Beach Boys, Golden Teardrops recorded a demo called “A Summer Escape” in 2005. Though it never sounded anything like Mr. Wilson’s dazzling (early) catalogue, it set a template for what’s to come. A series of failed demo attempts, however, led to the project being shelved. Ryan continued work on his bedroom pop outfit, Apple Orchard, until about 2012, while Lei offered a lot of tea and sympathy. In late 2014, ideas flowed, and the duo began recording again. Aside from playing The Beach Boys classic, “Pet Sounds”, and "Rain" by The Beatles to death, the duo became even more obsessed with albums like The Kinks’ “The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society”, Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends’ self-titled album, Margo Guryan’s “Take a Picture”, Françoise Hardy’s “Tous les garçons et les filles”, "Can Cladders" by The High Llamas, and "Let's Get Out Of This Country" by Camera Obscura. The result was “Promises & Smiles”, the first Golden Teardrops album, released in May 2018, filled with catchy melodies that evoke the duo’s love for 60s pop music, with obvious hints of late 90s / early 2000s indiepop.