Erik Griswold, Helen Svoboda and Chloe Kim - Anatomical Heart

The collaborative trio of Erik Griswold, Helen Svoboda and Chloe Kim are known for their spontaneous and vibrant soundscapes. Their debut release, Anatomical Heart, harnesses the unique timbres of prepared piano, bass, drums, and an array of collected objects to craft their distinctive sound. Recorded in the remote and inspiring locale of Harrigans Lane on the east coast of Australia, this album is a testament to the trio's ability to fuse their highly individualistic voices into a harmonious and exploratory musical language.

The album emerged from a week-long residency  in April 2023 at the secluded Lagavulin chamber music hall, located on the property known for housing the Piano Mill. This time allowed the trio—Erik Griswold with his John Cage-inflected prepared piano techniques, Helen Svoboda's Nordic-tinged bass lines, and Chloe Kim's precise yet intense drumming—to explore and capture the essence of their sound. "Each day was spent recording free improvisations, followed by reflection and planning for the next day's session, all inspired by the surrounding national parks, granite formations, local birdsong, and even the wildlife," the group explains.

The resultant eight tracks are a distillation of hours of recordings, each piece crystallizing a specific musical idea that ranges from short catchy tunes ("Anatomical blues," "Wallaby") to deep pulsating grooves ("Rock song," "Tremble part 2"), glitchy rhythmic textures ("The mouse," "Ripples"), and themes of devastated romance ("Heart strings," "Bowed"). These tracks not only showcase the group's experimental and collaborative spirit but also serve as springboards for further elaboration in their live performances.

Anatomical Heart is more than just a musical trio; they are experimentalists  who draw upon the spontaneity of the moment to create something truly unique. Born from a desire to explore and integrate their divergent musical backgrounds, the group has found a common language in the remote Australian bush. Their debut album invites listeners into their colorful and intricate sound worlds, offering an auditory journey influenced by nature and the unscripted interactions between prepared piano, bass, drums, and the natural acoustics of an isolated chamber music hall.