Second album from improvising septet E/I lead by composer and percussionist Szymon Pimpon Gąsiorek. Album consists of five instrumental tracks that could be described as a closing gap between acoustic ambient and improv soundscapes.
“E/I still relies on the same foundation since the project started and it is focused on sound emission and accompanying intentions of performing musicians,” explains Gąsiorek. “All other factors are marginalized on purpose and that could be described as the primary reason for ascetic composition structures. What’s changed between the two albums is the band itself – we’ve been joined by Pauline Hogstrand on viola,” he adds.
New album was recorded as a live performance in a now defunct water tower located in Brønshøj (Copenhagen). “Acoustics there are extraordinary because the sound reverberates for around 40 seconds adding an extra layer of sound to E/I music. During the mixing stage I wanted to expose both the close sounds of our instruments and this majestic space we performed at,” Gąsiorek says.
“What’s important to understand E/I is a very specific mental (or even spiritual) attitude. Due to special attention we pay to the intention of playing specific parts the whole performance lands very near of what can be called a ritual. It means that we’re both performers and listeners at the same time.”
E/I was conceived and is still based in Copenhagen, despite the fact that its members come from different countries and Szymon currently resides in Slovenia. “We all met while studying at music schools and then playing within the local Danish music scene. Some of us are classically trained, others come from an improv and/or jazz backgrounds but all of us are keen on writing and performing original music. It’s not about skills though, more about some kind of artistic maturity. We need to be sure that we are able to focus on playing one sound for a very long time,” Pimpon explains.
E/I:
Pauline Hogstrand – viola
Nicole Hogstrand – cello
Asger Thomsen – double bass
Gianluca Elia – tenor sax
Michał Biel – baritone sax
Jędrzej Łagodziński – baritone sax
Szymon Pimpon Gąsiorek – gongs
