Gifts from Enola
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Harrisonburg, Virginia , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, live performances |
Gifts From Enola was a post-rock ensemble consisting of four members hailing from Harrisonburg, Virginia. Their sound was characterized by prominent guitar riffs combined with the gentle-to-intense dynamic shifts that define the post-rock genre. Over their career, they produced three studio albums alongside a split release. Their third album, titled after the band itself, debuted in July 2010. The name of the group is inspired by the Enola Gay, the historic plane responsible for deploying the first nuclear bomb.
History
The band originated in late 2005 when Andrew Barnes and Nate Dominy, then freshmen in college, started collaborating. By 2006, Gifts From Enola had begun live performances and recording sessions. They soon incorporated CJ DeLuca and Jordan Endahl into the lineup, culminating in their inaugural album Loyal Eyes Betrayed the Mind that same year. This debut received positive commercial attention and was recognized as 'pick of the month' by TheSilentBallet.com in September 2006. Their initial nationwide tour across the United States in 2007 further broadened their reach.
Gifts From Enola was among the earliest acts to be signed by independent label The Mylene Sheath. In March 2008, they issued a split album titled Harmonic Motion Vol. 1 alongside You.May.Die.In.The.Desert under Differential Records. Shortly thereafter, a limited vinyl reissue of Loyal Eyes Betrayed the Mind was released in June 2008; it quickly sold out and reinforced their standing within the post-rock community while increasing both domestic and international visibility.
Following Harmonic Motion Vol. 1, the group dedicated time to composing and recording their subsequent album. A summer 2008 U.S. tour interrupted this process before recording concluded later that year. Their album From Fathoms was launched on June 23, 2009, available as a limited edition colored vinyl (500 units) and CD (2000 units). The exclusive vinyl editions sold out swiftly, strengthening their loyal audience base. Critical response to the album was highly favorable.
In March 2009, Jud Mason took over drumming duties from Jordan Endahl, and Tim Skirven joined on keyboards. After releasing From Fathoms, the band embarked on an extensive nine-week nationwide tour aboard a converted school bus powered by waste vegetable oil. Later that year, Tim Skirven departed, returning Gifts From Enola to a four-piece configuration.
Prior to unveiling their third album, Gifts From Enola performed multiple U.S. shows including three sold-out sets at SXSW. These included a showcase hosted by The Mylene Sheath featuring bands like Junius and Caspian, as well as performances alongside If These Trees Could Talk. In June 2010, pre-orders commenced for their self-titled third full-length release through The Mylene Sheath in limited edition vinyl (500 copies) and CD formats. These exclusive vinyl pressings sold out rapidly, highlighting ongoing demand.
After launching Gifts From Enola in 2010, the band toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Their subsequent album A Healthy Fear arrived in November 2012.
On April 3, 2013, Gifts From Enola declared they were placing the band on indefinite hiatus after seven years of activity. Six years later, they reunited for two special performances at dunk!fest in Belgium and at Saint Vitus bar in the United States.
Discography
| Year | Title | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Loyal Eyes Betrayed the Mind | CD | Self-released |
| 2008 | Harmonic Motion Vol.1 | CD | Differential Records |
| 2008 | Loyal Eyes Betrayed the Mind | 2xLP | The Mylene Sheath |
| 2009 | From Fathoms | CD/2xLP | The Mylene Sheath |
| 2010 | Gifts from Enola | CD/LP | The Mylene Sheath |
| 2012 | A Healthy Fear | CD/LP | The Mylene Sheath |
| 2019 | From Fathoms (remastered) | CD/LP | Dunk! Records |