Tell Me More

Who Are "The Gatekeepers"?

The Gatekeepers first began in 2021 as a one-off experiment: 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. This “avant-rock opera about rejection” was brought to life by over thirty special guest artists.But one album wasn’t enough. Releasing on November 15, 2024, Nostalgia for the Great American Monoculture continues the satirical mission of The Gatekeepers, though with a less narratively connected collection of songs satirizing modern digital life, featuring many return and new special guests.

Both albums featured a sophisticated blend of progressive, left-field rock, jazz, folk, and lo-fi electronic, reminiscent of Frank Zappa, Henry Cow, Of Montreal, Kurt Weill and the Canterbury sound.

News & Updates

“Phishing for Pigs” – Official Music Video

To mark today’s official release of “Nostalgia for the Great American Monoculture,” we’ve put out a music video for the song “Phishing for Pigs.” Watch what happens when Chad gets …

The second Gatekeepers album is available for preorder!

Preorder your copy now
A Gateway to Other Music

Meet the Artists

Helmed by composer Alex Wroten, The Gatekeepers is brought to life through collaborations with acclaimed and notorious “music weirdos” from all genres and corners of the world:

The Residents
"The World's Most Famous Unknown Band" and one of music's most celebrated counter-cultural touchstones. San Francisco, CA.
Shawn Phillips
Shawn Phillips
Genre-defying singer-songwriter and "The Best Kept Secret in the Music Business." Louisville, KY.
Renaldo M.
Singer and half of one of the "weirdest bands of all time": Renaldo & The Loaf. Portsmouth, UK.
R. Stevie Moore
R. Stevie Moore
"The Godfather of Home Recording" and one of the most prolific musicians of all time. Nashville, TN.
Photo by Vilma Jovaisa
Cheer Accident
Long-running progressive ensemble led by Thymme Jones. Chicago, IL.
Morgan Ågren
Grammy award-winning drummer and member of Mats/Morgan Band. Sweden.
Amy Denio
Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer. Seattle, WA.
Wally Scharold
Composer, guitarist, vocalist, and game designer, known for his band miRthkon. London, UK.
Duncan Mackay
Composer and keyboardist, known for his solo work and collaborations (10cc, Alan Parsons, Kate Bush). South Africa.
Molly Harvey
Artist and singer. Atlanta, GA.
Alison Niedbalski
Vocalist (Inner Ear Brigade, Qualia). Oakland, CA
Bill Brovold
Educator, visual artist, and multi-instrumental composer (Rhys Chatham Ensemble, Larval). New York, NY.
Aislinn Quinn
Vocals (Absolute Zero). St Augustine, FL
Alan Jenkins
Consummate DIY multi-instrumentalist and founder of Cordelia Records. Leicester, UK.
Brian Wnukowski
Drummer (BIG'N, Salvation, Haymarket Riot). Chicago, IL.
Rob Allum
Drummer for classic electronic group Add N To (X). UK.
Henry Kaiser
Legendary Experimental Guitarist. Antarctica.
Jacopo Costa
Percussionist (Loomings, Yugen) and one-man band. Strasbourg, France.
Dave Newhouse
Woodwind player & composer (The Muffins, Skeleton Crew, Manna/Mirage). Baltimore, MD.
Emily Hay
Free improvisation flutist, vocalist, pianist (U Totem, Motor Totemist Guild). Brevard, NC.
Blaine Reininger
Multi-instrumentalist and founding member of American cult band Tuxedomoon. Athens, Greece.
Robert Webb
Composer, singer, keyboardist (England). Greece.
Dan Britton
Composer and multi-instrumentalist, founder of Emkog Records. Baltimore, MD.
Cult with No Name
Electronic music duo from East London, UK.
Bob Drake
Prolific experimental multi-instrumentalist, singer, and recording engineer. Caudeval, France.
Frédéric L'Epée
Guitarist & composer (Yang, Shylock, Philharmonie). Berlin, Germany.
Photo credit Anne-Marie Forker - www.forkerfotos.com
Matthew Parmenter
Multi-instrumentalist and singer most known for his band Discipline. Detroit, MI.
Elaine Di Falco
Experimental musician, singer (Yugen, Combat Astronomy, Caveman Hughscore). Colorado.
Dave Willey
Experimental musician and composer known for his group Hamster Theatre. Boulder, CO.
Mont Campbell
Multi-instrumentalist and composer (Egg, National Health). Sussex, UK.
Paul Lai
Guitarist (Upsilon Acrux). Los Angeles, CA.
Deborah Perry
Singer (Thinking Plague, 5uu's). Boston, MA.
Ty Citerman
Jazz-classical guitarist and composer (Bop Kabbalah, Gutbucket). Brooklyn, NY.
The Darkening Scale
The solo project of David Janssen (the other half of Renaldo & The Loaf). Wales, UK.

Both Albums Now Available:

Both albums by The Gatekeepers are now available directly from Think Like a Key or from the online establishment of your choosing:

Nostalgia for the Great American Monoculture (2024)

  • Vinyl: 140g limited edition
  • CD: 3 bonus remix tracks by Cult with No Name & Axon Welter
  • Digital-Only also available

Available Now

The Gatekeepers (2022)

  • Vinyl: 140g numbered limited edition of 333 copies (blue or black)
  • CD: 4 bonus remix tracks by Cult with No Name, The Darkening Scale, Renaldo M, & Axon Welter
  • Digital-Only also available

Available Now