A Vivoscene Review by Hal Carlson

Vivoscene rating 8.3

The Minneapolis shoegaze thrashers known as Gospel Gossip are back in full psychedelic flight with a 3 song EP called Atlantic Blue that will knock your socks off, if that is, you’re into shoegaze and if you’ve been known to don argyles. It’s been five years since their last release and this month they’re releasing a limited 200 copy set of the EP, as precursor to a full-length album due out in the next few weeks. Talent abounds in the trio: they display both intensity and writhing, thrashing glamour in their live sets. Check out these three very different but entrancing tracks below. The EP sells for a modest $6 (one Abraham Lincoln plus one George Washington in paper form, or plastic). Zone in, zone out, the pleasure is all yours. Click on the links shown in the tracks below or head straight here for purchase.

Here’s a description of Sarah from a close friend:

“(Guitarist) Sarah (Nienaber) is just totally crazy; she’s this tiny little girl that just goes totally crazy on stage.”

Here’s a bit of background on the band:

From Minnewiki: The Minnesota Music Encyclopaedia (article from Last fm)

Gospel Gossip is a experimental pop trio based in Northfield, MN. The band consists of Sarah Nienaber on Guitar and vocals, Ollie Moltaji on drums and Justin Plank on bass. Their influences are wide-ranging and include Galaxie 500, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Electrelane and The Velvet Underground.

In 2006 they released the Milkshake EP, which was recorded in the basement of Carleton College’s Concert Hall. Shortly thereafter, Plank left for San Diego. In his abscence, the remaining members recruited fellow Carleton student Charlie Gokey. Gokey also works under the name Charles Coleman and is a member of The White Foliage, from Fall Records. Gospel Gossip spent the most of 2006 and 2007 playing frequently in Minneapolis clubs and bars, in addition to shows in Northfield. In May 2007, the band was signed to the Minneapolis label, Unnecessary Friction Records. Before officially releasing any material, the band signed to St. Paul’s Guilt Ridden Pop. In addition, they won Carleton College’s Battle of the Bands in the spring of 2007 and played at the College’s Spring Concert. Plank returned from California to help the band compete and play the Spring Concert.

The summer of 2007 saw more temporary line-up changes when Plank returned to California: Kjerstin Johnson, stepped up to play bass, filling the void. In addition, the band added a synth player, Deanna Steege, to round out their sound. Nonetheless, Ollie, Sarah & Justin remaied as the core members of Gospel Gossip.

The band began work on their first full length album in June 2007. Sing Into My Mouth was released in the Winter of 2007, which was mixed by Neil Weir in Blackberry Way and mastered by Bruce Templeton.

Hear: “Atlantic Blue”

Hear: “Behind”

Hear: “Sad Machines”