ZWERG wrote this song in the early 2000’s for his beloved young cousins from Maine. The title refers to these youngsters’ half Baltic heritage (their maternal grandparents were Estonian and Latvian). The song was originally written completely in the major key, but after zeroing in on the thematic direction of the song, ZWERG felt it was important to reference traditional Baltic folk music by incorporating some minor chords. ZWERG also imbued the track with samples of traditional Baltic folk instruments, the Estonian kannel and the Latvian kokle. 
	The accompanying music video, shot by Tyler Warren Ellis, presents a visual nod to Estonian and Latvian mythology with ZWERG dressed up as a Baltic godling of sorts. His cousins’ Irish heritage is also referenced visually with this godling character sporting antlers like the Celtic god of nature, Cernunnos.

The Centurion

Half Balts (1995-1999)

ZWERG wrote "Soul-Strong Sister" for his sister Jessica, specifically about her painful divorce. Thiele says: "Hopefully this song will inspire those who have been through a traumatic life experience." This track is the third single from ZWERG's The Centurion, which is set to be released in late 2023 on Emm Gryner's Dead Daisy Records. A music video, shot and directed by Tyler Warren Ellis, was released alongside the single on February 24th, 2023.
    "Soul-Strong" was recorded in Thiele's log cabin recording studio, deep in the woods of northern New Brunswick. It features Thiele's 9-foot grand piano, affectionately known as "Mr. Chickering", as the primary instrument. The track also features In-Flight Safety's John Mullane on guitars.

SoulStrong Sister (1990-1994)

This song was written for ZWERG’s American mother Rolene, who grew up along the Hudson River in New York State (she was born in Newburgh and moved to Albany in third grade). ZWERG says: “My New Yorker mom met my New Brunswicker dad in Boston, married him, and moved up to Dad’s native Moncton...where the jealous local church gals weren’t so nice to her.” 
	ZWERG pulled in guitarist Mike Bourgeois (The Melanie Morgan Band) to help infuse the song with a late ‘80s sound. “The late ’80s seemed to be a golden age in music for my mom. She managed the Christian rock band Crossection from ’88 to ’91 - ‘Rockin’ Rolene’ was what the band and crew called her!” ZWERG says.
	The song’s video will be produced by Emm Gryner’s brother Frank (Rob Zombie, A Perfect Circle, BT) and will feature Emm on bass. Emm and Def Leppard were major musical influences on the song. ZWERG says: “Emm kicks all the guys’ asses on bass, and my mom loves bass - especially that heavy eighths bassline, seminally characteristic of Def Leppard’s work. Emm and Frank have a band called Trapper that has opened for Def Leppard several times. So it’s a full circle type thing for me that they will be working on, or appearing in, the video!”

Prize Of The Hudson (1985-1989)

ZWERG - DUAL CITIZEN (2014)

Produced & Mixed by John Philip Shenale 
(Tori Amos, Jane's Addiction, Billy Idol, Tracy Chapman, The Beach Boys, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Rick Springfield, Buddy Guy, Five For Fighting, Jann Arden)

Engineered by John Philip Shenale & Paul Milner (I Mother Earth, The Headstones, Matt Andersen, Paper Lions)

Mastered by Ron McMaster at Capitol Records Hollywood (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant & Allison Kraus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shelby Lynne, Miles Davis, R.E.M)

Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Programming: Eldon Thiele
Guitars: Robin Anne Ettles & Mike Bourgeois
Drums: Dan Bourgeois

Lute: Michel Cardin (recorded and engineered by Léandre Bourgeois)

Vocal Coach: Marta Woodhull (Anthony Kiedis, Alexa Ray Joel, Anna Nalick, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee)

Graphic Design & Layout by Mark Young (Dominique Dupuis, Les Paiens, Roland Gauvin, 1755, Music NB, ECMA)
http://markyoungdesign.ca

01 Drive Away Your Pain

02 Then There Was You

04 For the Woman We Love

05 Saalem Song

06 High in Heaven

07 Cat Fight

08 Home Is Where...

New Release: ZWERG - The Centurion (2023) on Emm Gyner's Dead Daisy Records.

Last Release:  ZWERG - DUAL CITIZEN (2014)

Produced & Mixed by John Philip Shenale 
(Tori Amos, Jane's Addiction, Billy Idol, Tracy Chapman, The Beach Boys, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Rick Springfield, Buddy Guy, Five For Fighting, Jann Arden)

Engineered by John Philip Shenale & Paul Milner (I Mother Earth, The Headstones, Matt Andersen, Paper Lions)

Mastered by Ron McMaster at Capitol Records Hollywood (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant & Allison Kraus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shelby Lynne, Miles Davis, R.E.M)

Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Programming: Eldon Thiele
Guitars: Robin Anne Ettles & Mike Bourgeois
Drums: Dan Bourgeois

Violin: Benedikt Brydern
Cello: Nika Stein Ross

Lute: Michel Cardin (recorded and engineered by Léandre Bourgeois)

Vocal Coach: Marta Woodhull (Anthony Kiedis, Alexa Ray Joel, Anna Nalick, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee)

Graphic Design & Layout by Mark Young (Dominique Dupuis, Les Paiens, Roland Gauvin, 1755, Music NB, ECMA)
http://markyoungdesign.ca

Prize Of The Hudson (1985-1989)

ZWeRG

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