THE THUNKS – Swarm Patterns
TROST |
TR255 | CD | 2026
Three creative cells of Austrian avantgarde music form a playfull trio of piano and drums/percussion -
pianist and composer Elisabeth Harnik has various improvisation projects, for instance with Joelle Leandre, Ken Vandermark, Zlatko Kaucic, Tony Buck, etc.
She is backed by Martin Brandlmayr of Radian-fame, who works fluently in jazz, electronics and acoustic music, and Didi Kern who, coming from Bulbul guitar underground and Noiserock, lately found his place in the international improv scene.
The 43-minute set offers a captivating demonstration of the art of the moment. Harnik, Brandlmayr, and Kern wisely construct, shape, and deconstruct loose textures, finding fleeting resonant, percussive sounds, and unpredictable pulses without losing the stimulating tension, the playful joy of making music together, or the sensibility of form. Often, this trio sounds like a small, well-coordinated yet anti-authoritarian swarm of imaginative improvisers choreographing complex and intense dances that refuse to settle into familiar patterns. Eyal Haveureni, Salt Peanuts
pianist and composer Elisabeth Harnik has various improvisation projects, for instance with Joelle Leandre, Ken Vandermark, Zlatko Kaucic, Tony Buck, etc.
She is backed by Martin Brandlmayr of Radian-fame, who works fluently in jazz, electronics and acoustic music, and Didi Kern who, coming from Bulbul guitar underground and Noiserock, lately found his place in the international improv scene.
The 43-minute set offers a captivating demonstration of the art of the moment. Harnik, Brandlmayr, and Kern wisely construct, shape, and deconstruct loose textures, finding fleeting resonant, percussive sounds, and unpredictable pulses without losing the stimulating tension, the playful joy of making music together, or the sensibility of form. Often, this trio sounds like a small, well-coordinated yet anti-authoritarian swarm of imaginative improvisers choreographing complex and intense dances that refuse to settle into familiar patterns. Eyal Haveureni, Salt Peanuts
