ZWERG

ZWERG solo at Music NB WeekIf you put Imogen Heap, Björk, Tori Amos, and Emm Gryner in a magic potion stew, threw in a penis and a few other male anatomical ingredients, then stirred in the smoothe, syrupy vocals of Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon/Red House Painters), Neil Halstead (Slowdive/Mojave 3), Jonas Bjerre (Mew), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), and Robert Smith (The Cure), you might indeed end up with a concoction called ZWERG. Despite the existence of a revolving band lineup, ZWERG is primarily the domain of a peculiar Eldon Thiele. Thiele was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, on October 4th, 1977, to a music teacher father and an art teacher mother. The name 'Eldon Thiele' is a tribute to his two beloved, deceased grandfathers, Eldon R. Betts Sr. and John L. Thiele Sr. The name “ZWERG”, which is German for “dwarf”, was selected as a metaphor for any victim of social injustice, for any oppressed and misunderstood misfit, debilitated by lies of his or her own frailty, but who, often unknowingly, possesses great vigor, venomous vengeance, vitality, and virility. Alas, the dwarves of myth and legend, though diminutive in stature and sometimes dismissed as feeble freaks of nature, are notorious for their unmatched constitution, their determined and disciplined dispositions, and their warring capabilities. A German word was selected so as to incorporate the conceptions of harshness and stoicism associated with the formerly barbaric Northern-European, Germanic cultures and languages. As well, the family name Thiele is itself German, having originated near Minden, in Lower Saxony, North-West Germany. 2007 brings considerable excitement to the ZWERG camp with the highly anticipated release of ZWERG’s 3rd full-length album iNTo tHe 4tH diMeNsiOn, no doubt the artist’s most comprehensive and compelling work to date. Though decidedly distinctive and uncompromising in its execution, 4tH diMeNsiOn is surprisingly radio-friendly with its catchy hooks and accessible chorus melodies that seem to grow on the listener with repeated listening. This album is preceded by the 2004 DVD single To Stand, Kneel (starring Gordon Lightfoot’s grandson Johnny Hoermann as a Halfling), the 2000 full-length Played Wits, and the Rick White (front man of Eric’s Trip /Elevator) produced album To Myopic Mutts and Sepsis EP from 1998 and 1997, respectively. Musically and emotionally passionate, resolute, and intense, this patriotic but avowedly atypical New Brunswick artist is indeed a creative force to be reckoned with. For more information, visit: www.zwerg.ca, http://cdbaby.com/all/zwerg, www.sonicbids.com/zwerg, www.numberonemusic.com, www.newmusiccanada.com, or email ZWERG himself at [email protected]. -Jorgen BremengerZWERG's My Space Pimpage by WebHAMMER