About
"Nocturnal reveries in the vein of minimal Radiohead compositions. Mark Kramer (Tender Mercy) has cultivated a distinctive singer/songwriter style, a black, evocative character, preferring the shadows to the light. His voice haunts the spare guitar notes like an utter specter. Songs like these play over the end credits of drama films that have faded to black following some sort of traumatic event."
- Cassette Gods
When Louisville, KY singer/songwriter Mark Kramer performs as Tender Mercy, he is about as exposed as a performer can be. Formed as an outlet for solo performance after years playing bass in punk bands throughout the Midwest, the project’s goal is to present Kramer’s songwriting in as minimalist a form as possible; To see him play live is like being transported into a personal meditation, somehow solemn and breathtaking at the same moment.
Tender Mercy’s full length albums build upon the work of past EPs to capture the shock and beauty of Kramer’s live performances perfectly. Without overdubs, percussion or excessive tampering, these recordings perfectly capture the ambiance and mood of each song, honoring the use of melodic space that sets Kramer apart from peers such as Low, Sun Kil Moon and Grouper.
Tender Mercy has opened for the likes of Advance Base, DIVORCE, Bro. Stephen, Simon Joyner, Jeffery Lewis, Wooden Wand, Fugitive, Twin Limb, Cross Record and Service.
Discography
- The Veil Falls LP, 2021, Somewhere Cold
- Live At The Chapel Of St. Philip Neri CD, 2020, Bright Tonight
- War Within LP, 2019, Obsolete Staircases
- Leave Little Room – LP, 2018, Obsolete Media Objects
- It Was You – EP, 2016, Bright Tonight Recordings
- Sacred Sphinx – EP, 2015, The Carpathian Cassette Label
- As Someone Else You Embrace The Moment In Us – EP, 2014, Bright Tonight Recordings
- The Road To Good Intention Is Paved With Hell – EP, 2011, Dunkenstein Records