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What should I say

Elysian Fields is Australia’s only electric viola da gamba band, heralding the creation of a new and unique musical voice. Elysian Fields is the brainchild of viola da gambist, Jenny Eriksson, and leading jazz musicians, Matt Keegan, saxophones, and Matt McMahon, piano.

Eriksson is one of Australia’s leading acoustic viola da gamba players – the viola da gamba being a very old 7-string instrument with frets about the same size as a modern-day cello – and the only exponent of the electric version of her instrument. Since its inception in 2015 the band has been an ongoing experiment in creating new repertoire for a combination of instruments and voice that does not exist anywhere else in the world.

“Over the past three years we’ve gone about developing the ensemble in a largely intuitive way”, say Eriksson. “We’ve written and arranged charts and tried them out, learning as we go. Given the ancient roots of the viola da gamba – the viol family traces its origins back way well before that of the violin – it was inevitable that a multilayered dialogue has emerged between past and present. This involves elements of baroque, classical, jazz, world and folk music. The past-present conversation can be heard in the textures we create, the musical languages we explore and even the texts we’ve set to music.”

“What should I Say” takes its name from a remarkable new cycle of songs by pianist and band member, Matt McMahon. In this piece McMahon sets four poems by Thomas Wyatt, a courtier to King Henry VIII. At its world premiere jazz critic John Shand wrote: “Here was a head-spinning dialogue between half a millennium ago and now, and a sound as foreign as dreaming someone else's dreams. It emanated from Jenny Eriksson's electric viola da gamba, the only example in Australia.” Also featured is “Elysium”, an epic work by Matt Keegan and an original chart by bassist, Siebe Pogson.

Elysian Field’s influences are as broad as its member’s eclectic interests and include e.s.t., Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, Tord Gustavson, Victor Wooten, Mats Norrefalk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Weather Report, Mara!, traditional Indian music, Irish and Swedish folk song, Jordi Savall, Marin Marais, John McLauglin, Steve Hunter, Pat Metheny, Jan Gunnar Hoff and Joni Mitchell.

Artist

Elysian Fields

Elysian Fields, Australia’s only electric viola da gamba ensemble, was formed by Jenny Eriksson, Matt Keegan and Matt McMahon in 2015. The band is an ongoing experiment in creating new improvised and composed repertoire for the electric viola da gamba – of which Eriksson is believed to be the only Australian exponent.


Press quotes

“Elysian Fields uses elements of baroque, classical, jazz, world and folk to create a multilayered, diverse sound. What Should I Say creates a dialogue between the present and the past, through the contrasting use of renaissance poetry, and an electric version of a baroque stringed instrument. ... a thoroughly enjoyable CD that challenges boundaries. It includes hybrid, experimental forms and rare instruments. This music is a testament to Jenny Eriksson’s growing talent, her musicianship, and her ensemble’s quest for new sound.”

— Claire Matthews, Classikon website

“Masterful musicians at play in the creation of new works and soundscapes that feature and incorporate Jennifer Eriksson’s electric viola da gamba. The endlessly imaginative Matt McMahon has again here morphed into the perfect vessel for the conception and execution of this impressive set, which comprises the first five compositions on the album. The second half of the album contains Matt Keegan’s substantial composition presented in four movements, with text provided by Philip Pogson.What Should I Say is infused with their dedication to their craft and the creative energy from whence Elysian Fields has emerged.”

— Stuart Vandegraaff, Music Trust e-zine Loud Mouth

Audio previews

Track Listing

    What should I say: Four poems of Thomas Wyatt Matt McMahon

  1. Stand whoso list
  2. Whoso list to hunt - Prelude
  3. Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind
  4. What should I say
  5. They flee from me
  6. Southern Cross Mats Norrefalk
  7. Dark Dreaming Siebe Pogson

    8. Elysium Matt Keegan

  8. i
  9. ii
  10. iii
  11. iv
  12. At Carna Matt McMahon

Performers

Composers

Matt McMahon

Matt McMahon is a Sydney based pianist, keyboardist and composer. Having studied music and English literature at Sydney University and jazz studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, he has been actively performing and recording music since 1993.

Siebe Pogson

Siebe Pogson is a multi-instrumentalist and composer and leader of the group Funk Engine.

Matt Keegan

Matt Keegan regularly performs throughout Australia and around the world.


Where to buy

What should I say is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through Apple Music.

What should I say is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Release date
October 2018
Copyright
© 2018 Elysian Fields
Phonogram
℗ 2018 Move Records
Category
Classical
Catalogue number
MCD 580
Alternate catalogue number
MCD580
Barcode
EAN 9314574058024