By Jorge Casuso

September 5, 2013 -- Two bands from seaside towns half a planet apart will share the stage at Thursday night’s Twilight Concert Series on the Santa Monica Pier.

Mr Little Jeans -- aka Monica Birkenes -- grew up in the middle of the woods in the Norwegian seaside town of Grimstad, while Gardens & Villa is made up of five college friends from Santa Barbara.

Both acts bring a straightforward pop vibe that, though seldom adventurous, is often catchy and tuneful – with Gardens & Villa veering more towards rock and Mr Little Jeans toward techno pop.

The daughter of a shipbuilder, Birkenes first drew attention with her “haunting, beat-damaged” cover of Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” on 2010’s Angel EP, according to the concert promoters.

Her upcoming album, cut on her new home base of LA, “promises untold treasures that happily blur the lines between pop and art, light and dark,” promoters said, adding that Birkenes stands on some “unmarked pasture between St. Vincent’s prettiest moments and Debby Harry’s wilder inclinations.”

Gardens & Villa, which was “formed following the collapse of a noisier post-punk band and a hitch-hiking journey up the west coast” has forged a sound inspired by “the stoney bike rides and dance parties” of Santa Barbara, promoters said.

It is a sound the band – which prefers to “play all parts live” – refers to as “coco vibes,” promoters said. Composed of Chris Lynch, Adam Rasmussen, Levi Hayden and Shane McKillop, the outfit has added member Dusty Ineman to “supremely execute the live incarnation of the band.”

The Thursday night concerts will be emceed by DJs from 89.9 FM KCRW, the media partner for the Twilight Concert Series.

Concertgoers are encouraged to take the Big Blue Bus. Parking will be available in the lot north of the pier at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, however parking on the Santa Monica Pier deck will be closed.

The City of Santa Monica will provide a free bike valet, stationed on the beach next to the bicycle path on the south side of the pier.

More information about the Twilight Concert Series can be found at twilightseries.org.