The Gatekeepers, by The Gatekeepers

The Gatekeepers

by The Gatekeepers

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$8 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Get physical with a CD copy of this fantastic album in cardboard gatefold sleeve, plus 10-page lyric insert.

Includes unlimited streaming of The Gatekeepers via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

$11 USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Get physical with the exclusive Think Like A Key Music transparent blue 12" vinyl. Available only via direct order. Includes lyric insert. Hand numbered limited edition of 100. Ships from US / UK.

Includes unlimited streaming of The Gatekeepers via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

$26 USD or more

1.	Butterflies (Feat. Elaine Di Falco) 02:33	lyrics	buy track
This is your first big break, You think you deserve this. For your toil and heartache, and those years of practice. But maybe you just don’t have what it takes? You should quit. Give up. You had fun. Now get real. Why should you expect success? Do you think you are peerless? You’re a fish inside a pond with no comparative size. How will it go? Come now, please don’t give in to this gloomy oration of anxiety-ridden underestimation. You’ll knock their socks off. Don’t worry. Break a leg.
2.	I Like the Strange Things (Feat. Renaldo M) 03:49		buy track
3.	A Promising Direction (Feat. Molly Harvey) 02:57		buy track
4.	Who Are the Gatekeepers? (Feat. Cheer-Accident) 03:02		buy track
5.	The Professional (Feat. Shawn Phillips) 05:05		buy track
6.	Ignorance 00:13		buy track
7.	The Patron (Feat. the Residents) 03:39		buy track
8.	Anonymity 00:13		buy track
9.	The Pundit (Feat. Deborah Perry) 03:27		buy track
10.	I Think I Like the Strange Things? (Feat. Renaldo M & Elaine Di Falco) 01:36		buy track
11.	Obscurity 00:16		buy track
12.	The Algorithm (Feat. Amy Denio) 03:48		buy track
13.	A Compromising Direction (Feat. Bob Drake) 03:15		buy track
14.	All the Way to the Bank (Feat. R. Stevie Moore) 04:09		buy track
15.	I Like the Normal Things 04:09		buy track
16.	All the Way to the Bank (Remix) 04:15		buy track
17.	The Professional (Seen It All Mix) 04:23		buy track
18.	Tight Armhole (The Algorithm Remix) 03:27		buy track
19.	The Patron (Cattle Baron Mix) 03:46		buy track
20.	All The Way To The Bank (Demo, Keyboard Jam) 01:21	info	buy track
21.	I Like The Strange Things (Demo, Alt. Vocal Take) 03:21	info	buy track

about

The Gatekeepers is a part-musical, part-concept album about an artist trying to get their work out in the world but facing a series of sardonic, disinterested gatekeepers. A 15-song cycle exploring the creative process from beginning to end, including the cynical aspects of marketing art to the public and the toughness of deciding your own artistic fate.

With a sophisticated blend of progressive, left-field rock, jazz, folk, and an authentic lo-fi spirit, the Gatekeepers creates a captivating musical contrast. Occasionally hypnotic, sometimes turbulent, the eclectic mix is reminiscent of The Lamb Lies Down Broadway, Kurt Vile, Of Montreal, and the Canterbury sound with a nod to Zappa. The album's composer and mastermind Alex Wroten is joined by an array of highly acclaimed and unconventional vocalists to bring the story to life: The Residents, Shawn Phillips, Brian Poole (Renaldo & The Loaf), R. Stevie Moore, Elaine di Falco (Yugen, Caveman Hughscore), Mont Campbell (Egg, National Health), Bob Drake, Amy Denio, Deborah Perry (Thinking Plague) and CHEER-ACCIDENT.

Other performers in this musical's ensemble include: drummers Morgan Ågren (Mats/Morgan Band, Frank Zappa), Jacopo Costa (Loomings), Brian Wnukowski (Salvation, Haymarket Riot), Rob Allum (Add N To (X)); guitarists Frédéric L'Épée (Shylock, Philharmonie, Yang), Alan Jenkins (Deep Freeze Mice, Ruth's Refrigerator), Bill Brovold (Larval, Rhys Chatham Ensemble, East Village Orchestra), Paul Lai (Upsilon Acrux), Ty Citerman (Bop Kabbalah, Gutbucket); multi-instrumentalists Dave Willey (Hamster Theatre), Robert Webb (England), Dan Britton (Deluge Grander, Birds & Buildings); flautist Emily Hay (U Totem, 5uu's); keyboardist Duncan Mackay (Cockney Rebel, 10cc); violinist Matthew Parmenter (Discipline); and additional vocalists Molly Harvey (The Residents), Wally Scharold (miRthkon), and Blaine Reininger (Tuxedomoon).

credits

released November 11, 2022

Written and produced by Alex Wroten

license

about

Think Like A Key Music

A boutique indie label for the 1%, we specialize in singer-songwriter, art rock, powerpop, psych, lo-fi, and Americana. Explore our catalog here or more selection on our website.

contact / help

Contact Think Like A Key Music

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like The Gatekeepers, you may also like:

PoiL Ueda
by PoiL Ueda

supported by 7 fans who also own “The Gatekeepers”

J'aime aussi la musique quand elle s'abâtardit, qu'elle se fusionne, qu'elle juxtapose. Là, je suis servi r2ph
go to album
Vaisseau Monde
by Le Grand Sbam

supported by 7 fans who also own “The Gatekeepers”

unique, frenetic, provocative, surprising, amazing how they keep the listener on their toes while providing just enough structure to keep them grounded Tim Patterson
go to album
The Residents - In Between Dreams (Live 2018) SR15
by The Residents

supported by 7 fans who also own “The Gatekeepers”

Fantastic symbiosis between dream, madness and ingenuity ... every tone is weird and therefore perfect seebille
go to album
Coffee Philosophy
by K. Sparks, Ricardo Schneider, Hoffy Beats

featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 23, 2023
go to album
College Music Presents: In The Loop
by College Music Records

featured on Bandcamp Radio Dec 15, 2022
go to album
Transition East
by Angel Bat Dawid

featured on Bandcamp Radio May 19, 2020
go to album
The Residents - Loss Of The Lizard Lady (The Molly Harvey Collection) SR13
by The Residents

supported by 7 fans who also own “The Gatekeepers”

All Tracks! I love Molly. magicfranck
go to album