| It's been nearly eight years since the last Mondo Drag album came out. In that time, the Bay Area psych-prog band toured the US and Europe, performed at major festivals and-once again-reformed their rhythm section. But in the context of the bands nearly two-decade existence, this period may have been the most fraught. Vocalist and keyboardist John Gamio lost friends and family members. Meanwhile, humanity suffered the throes of a global pandemic. Luckily, Mondo Drag emerged from this dour period reborn. Freshly energized by bassist Conor Riley (formerly of San Diego psych squad Astra, currently of Birth), who joined in 2018, and drummer Jimmy Perez, who joined in 2022, Gamio and guitarists Jake Sheley and Nolan Girard have triumphed over the seemingly inexorable pull of times passage. The result is a dazzling and often plaintive rumination on the hours, days, and years - not to mention experiences - that comprise a lifetime. Through The Hourglass was tracked at El Studio in San Francisco, with an additional ten days of recording at the bands rehearsal space, which doubles as a hybrid analog-digital recording studio. The album was engineered and mixed by Phil Becker, drummer of space-punk mainstays Pins Of Light. "Were still here," Gamio says. "Weve been in the studio working on our craft and honing our skills. Now were re-emerging for the next stage of our life cycle." |
