When saxophonist Jarrett Gilgore and guitarist Anthony Pirog first got together in a Baltimore rehearsal space, the connection was instant. "We were speaking the same language immediately," Pirog recalls. Out of that effortless chemistry comes Between The Earth and Where—a willfully beautiful, immersive, and richly melodic conversation between saxophone and guitar, hovering in the space between the earth and where.

Bound by a shared love for lush harmony and memorable melody, Gilgore and Pirog have crafted an album that feels like a waking dream. It is a collection of short, poignant musical statements—or as Pirog warmly describes them, "a musical hug"—that deftly balances a soothing, ethereal atmosphere with a subtle, disquieting emotional depth. The album moves seamlessly across landscapes of sound, from intimate studio sessions co-produced and recorded by Brendan Canty (Fugazi, The Messthetics), to the immediacy of live performances at Washington DC's beloved DIY arts venue, Rhizome, to remote recordings captured during the quiet, uncertain months of the pandemic.

The roots of the project trace back to the vital, tight-knit avant-garde and experimental scenes of the Baltimore/Washington DC corridor. Gilgore, a Philadelphia-born global citizen, moved to Baltimore in 2011 to study at the Peabody Conservatory, while Pirog was already established as one of the region’s most versatile guitar virtuosos. Finding common ground in everything from midcentury jazz ballads and film scores to the serene, spectral music of Icelandic bassist Skúli Sverrisson, the duo set out to create a record anchored by warm, sophisticated songwriting rather than sprawling free improvisation.

Mixed by Nate Mendelsohn, Between The Earth and Where remains remarkably cohesive despite its varied origins. It swings from the bittersweet, arpeggiated yearning of the lead single "Soft Eyes"—written by Gilgore in the vulnerable aftermath of a breakup—to the otherworldly, crystalline soundscapes of "Joyblaster I."

Ultimately, Between The Earth and Where strips away the noise to reveal the formidable technique, intuitive empathy, and genuine friendship of two master musicians at the height of their powers. "This music is a reflection of our relationship," says Pirog. "That’s really what it’s about."