Through The Clearing

2026

Composed in late 2019, the songs on Through The Clearing were written to explore simplicity, texture, and stillness. During the years of isolation that followed, they became a kind of sonic sanctuary for guitarist and composer Thomas Nordlund.

The record reflects a philosophy of restraint. Nordlund began alone in a small studio, recording the main guitar parts, piano, and some light percussion. When the pandemic started, recording moved to a space where each room was fully separated.

With solid foundational tracks in place, Nordlund invited one collaborator at a time: a drummer, a bassist, and a bassoonist. Working this way let each musician focus on the quiet tracks and respond to the open space without distraction.

He chose raw, hypnotic song forms instead of technical showiness because he wanted the guitar to act like a singer delivering poetic lyrics. It moves at a slow, intentional pace, leaving space for the changing acoustic backgrounds and giving listeners time to add their own emotions.

With Jason McGlone on drums, Andrew Foreman and Mickey Mahoney on bass, and deVon Russell Gray on bassoon, Through The Clearing invites the audience to listen patiently. The music is minimal and sensual, best enjoyed in quiet rooms or on long drives.

Credits

Thomas Nordlund — guitars, una corda

deVon Russell Gray — bassoon

Andrew Foreman — acoustic bass

Mickey Mahoney — electric bass

Jason McGlone — drums, mixing engineer

Rob Schlette — mastering engineer