Te Vista is one of the most interesting rock bands to hit the South Jersey scene. The band consists of Ricky Hardin and Niko Berardo, on vocals and guitar. Accompanied by Grace Halter on bass and Desi Berardo on drums (and yes, brother to Niko). With a sound that combines elements of 60s and 70s power pop, country, and the jangly side of post-punk, the band manages to bring a fresh and modern energy into the genre, truly showing that good guitar pop knows no age.
Only recently formed in 2023, their name roughly translates to “I saw you”. The group makes it clear it’s not “undress me”, which if you google their name, does come up as a potential English meaning. I met the band at the Golden Dawn diner on US-130 before their recent Willingboro, NJ show to learn about their perspective.
The Beginnings
Niko and Ricky met at ages 15 and 18 respectively. Obviously, they are big on transportation, so if you were to look at the band’s motorcycle logo, it would make sense that the pair would initially bond over each other’s cars. Later, Ricky and Niko would play together on bills in Glassboro and Greenbrier, albeit with different bands. Ricky was in “The Customers” and Niko had a solo project named “Bare Bodkin.”
The two decided that they got on so well, that they needed to make music together. After several lineup changes, (they had to record their current stuff just the two of them!), in December of 2023 they finally found Grace and Desi who the duo considers to be the best incarnation of the band. Grace also happens to be in a band called “Polaroid Fade”, who are quite good as well.
Te Vista’s Influences
The Vista considers its music to be influenced by the Beatles, Kinks, Byrds, and Monkees. Meanwhile, Niko considers George Harrison and Kevin Shields to be major influences on how he plays guitar.
The band loves performing in Glassboro basements and at their home base, Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. They consider their peers in the scene to be The Jette Planes, Frankie Mermaid, Linus Blanket, and that Super Jack guy (whoever he is).
“Resurrect Me” (The Hit)
It’s amazing that a bedroom band can consistently get thousands of plays on their songs. The champion of this catalogue at a whopping 11K plays and counting on Spotify is “Resurrect Me”. The song in question contains a driving guitar groove in ¾ time that can make one feel as if they are waltzing at sea. The groove vamps out and builds up to these brilliant lines as a chorus
“Waiting for the winter
Te Vista “Resurrect Me” (2023)
it’s coming for me
show me your valleys
frozen over streams
waiting for the moment
to summon my dreams
sit down beside myself
and resurrect me”
When asked about the lyrics, Ricky describes the winter as “a kind of depression.” Niko added on by saying, “If you wanna really embrace somebody, you have to see them at their worst and accept them for it.”
“Deceive Yourself”
Ricky showcases more brilliant lyricism within his arsenal in another stand out tune off that same EP called “Deceive Yourself”:
“Everyone is looking for their forever
Traditional family values
But people oughta know that
Some people come and go
There’s no use in making it complicatedDeceive yourself and you’ll feel stuck
Te Vista “Deceive Yourself” (2023)
Telling your friends, she doesn’t do enough
Obsessive compulsions hold you from growing up
Digging away at the hole of life
Swimming around in your pool of lies
You don’t even know that you’re living with guilt”
Ricky writes a lot about the relationships and love between people. The self-titled EP is full of even more witty lines than what I am mentioning here. I would recommend it to anyone who has ever felt a bittersweet romance, or even pondered on the idea of what you find love to be.
“Pull My Train” (The Now)
Based off a 2023 train accident and a spare line from The La’s, “Pull My Train” is the most recent offering from Te Vista. Niko says it’s inspired by a simple ask, “Who are you gonna spend the end of the world with?” Unlike their self-titled EP, this song is primarily sung by Niko, and it’s a 3-minute pop opus stuffed with stacks of chiming guitars, both acoustic and electric, all of which are playing the catchiest riff you might hear this year. It even has the classic 60’s ramp-up that will get you up and screaming like you’re sitting for those moptops back in 64.
It manages to be anthemic without being overbearing. It’s pop rock for the downtrodden. Something to shout and rave about without embarrassment. I saw them play it live months before, and it’s been in my head ever since. “Pull My Train” is out now on all streaming platforms. As is their self-titled EP. They plan to drop a music video soon, as well as of course, new music. New music which you can hear early if you go to a live show of theirs. Catch them live in NJ at Anchor Rock Club on July 19th and Interzone on August 24th.
For more from Te Vista check out their Instagram, and follow our writer “Super” Jack Seda-Schreiber for more great work! Discover the Top 4 South Jeresy Live Music House Venues in 2024, more South Jersey artists like Swansun, and Kaiser Unique and learn How to Start a Band. And follow Lucid Media Blog and our Instagram for more from the tri-state.
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Photos by Grant Fleming IG: @grantflemingphotography
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