Singer-songwriter Gnat is set to release their deeply evocative new single, "Fill," on March 28. The track, a poignant reflection on heartbreak and self-restraint, marks a significant milestone in Gnat’s return to solo work after two years fronting their college rock band, Dinner With Me.
A self-taught instrumentalist, jazz-trained vocalist, and formally educated poet, Gnat weaves indie-folk storytelling with lush, layered production to create an atmosphere of emotional rawness. "Fill" was inspired by the aftermath of a breakup—the gnawing absence left behind and the struggle to resist filling the void with anything and everything. The song channels visceral hunger as an analogy for emotional longing, resulting in a track that is both intimate and universally resonant.
"‘Fill’ was inspired by the kind of breakup that you force yourself to follow through with because you know it's the right thing to do, but it still hurts—every day, all the time," Gnat explains. "I remember feeling like there was this hole in my life, like I had unknowingly made room for this person in every corner of my mind and body. And when they were gone, there was all this negative space I didn’t know how to handle. Hunger felt like the truest analogy for that sort of visceral, unrelenting feeling."
The track was recorded in a whirlwind five-day session in San Jose with producer Sam Stallings, where the duo immersed themselves in a high-pressure creative flow. The harmonies, which serve as one of the song’s most emotionally charged elements, were entirely improvised in the studio, adding a layer of raw spontaneity to the song’s final form.
MEET GNAT:
Growing up in Seattle, Gnat’s relentless humming and unguided explorations of the family’s neglected piano slowly but surely blossomed into a love of songwriting. Unwittingly influenced by the music that surrounded them—from Steely Dan to Christina Perri (thank you, Dad and the early 2000s)—Gnat developed a unique sonic identity. They spent their high school years performing original music in Seattle’s iconic grunge venues, a venture that took a new shape during their college career.
After two formative years as bassist and co-lead singer of their beloved college rock band, Dinner With Me, Gnat has returned to solo work with a refined artistic vision. A queer musician with a deep commitment to storytelling, Gnat not only writes and produces their music but also composes and performs every instrument, crafting a sound that is entirely their own. Their music sharpens the sounds of indie artists we know and love while blending in a uniquely rich and robust lyricism.
Following the recording and release of two albums with their band, Gnat’s first official solo record is set to meet the world in Spring 2025—an album shaped by years of heartfelt writing, meticulous composition, and hard work.
Written by Hannah Schneider of Unheard Gems PR