Pushing the limits of sonic exploration, Cleveland art-rock duo, Mr. Gnome, create a living, breathing, shapeshifting realm of psychedelic orchestration on their eagerly anticipated LP, A Sliver of Space, set to be released September 27th on El Marko Records.
Today, the duo share the swirling, hypnotic first single from the record, “Nothing and Everything.” The track is filled with the uncertainty, fear, sadness and confusion over the unexpected losses the duo experienced during the recording process, leaving them feeling like the world had shifted in the wrong direction. .
Mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol, Tennis, Temples, Panic at the Disco, Parquet Courts, Ra Ra Riot), A Sliver of Space explodes with hypnotic, gritty rock anthems that suddenly give way to long-form, drug-fueled journeys that transport the listener on a surreal trip from start to finish. Continuing to defy simple genre classification, Mr. Gnome creates a dense tapestry of textures, aural fabrics, and influences that all coalesce into a unique, defining sound. Throughout its relatively compact runtime, electronica, desert rock, punk, indie rock, and lush soundscapes swirl and converge, all woven with the continuous thread of lead singer/guitarist, Nicole Barille’s golden harmonies.
“When we started writing A Sliver of Space,” they describe, “we were working through a lot of personal loss and life upheaval. Lyrically and musically, nothing was off limits and we dove headfirst into really exploring the liminal, dreamlike spaces between life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness, the past and the future, happiness and sadness, the real and the make believe. This album is essentially about our descent into madness and our ultimate salvation through love.”
Since 2005, Barille and drummer/pianist Sam Meister have been crafting a vision of expansive, technicolor art-rock, receiving critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone (named “Band To Watch” in a spotlight review), Pitchfork, NPR, Paste, Esquire, Spin, Magnet, MTV, KEXP, and American Songwriter, among others. In addition to this wholly-realized sonic presentation, Mr. Gnome has an extensive history of producing head-turning DIY visuals in the form of otherworldly album covers, artistic press photography and mind-bending short films.
Such ambitious audiovisual presentation is matched perhaps only by the energy of their live shows, as Mr. Gnome has long held a strong cult following across the United States for their cathartic, raucous performances. This sixth release sees the long-awaited return of Mr. Gnome to the stage for their upcoming, coast-to-coast U.S. tour this fall. They will be joined by touring guitarist/bassist, Jonah Meister, who is also a featured player on A Sliver of Space.
Whether via sound, visuals, or live experience, Mr. Gnome has a knack for taking the beautiful monsters that exist within all of us and shining a glorious light on them. A Sliver of Space finds beauty in chaos by alchemically fusing spectral sounds with a widescreen cinematic perspective. This soaring, introspective musical journey constantly beckons the listener – to get lost watching stars explode, to gaze upon souls splitting and swirling to reunite, and to melt their minds if only for a moment.
Won’t you join them?
