Eivind Opsvik

Originally presented and live streamed by @Roulette_Intermedium on April 1st 2016

The Setting

Elias Stemeseder - piano, harpsichord, synthesizers

Will Graefe - acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars, effects

Eivind Opsvik - Double Bass, drum machine, compositions

Special guest: Jon Starks - drums (on “By The Light of the Moon”)

Review of The Setting

The Setting, is now available at Tiger Records in Oslo

ROULETTE

509 Atlantic Avenue (Corner of Third Avenue) Brooklyn, NY 11217

Wednesday, April 1, 20268:00 pm

$25 advance $30 doors $20 Student/Senior (w/ ID, Senior 65+)doors 7pm

Buy Tickets

A double bill of the semi-nostalgic alt trio The Setting (bassist Eivind Opsvik, pianist Elias Stemeseder, guitarist Will Graefe) and the drummer/electronicist jondownload (Jonathan Starks).

The Setting—the trio of Norwegian bassist/composer Eivind Opsvik, pianist Elias Stemeseder, and guitarist Will Graefe—celebrates the release of their debut album. The stunning ten-song record brings to fruition a seed that Opsvik has been carrying with him for about a decade. Sounds and sensibilities that have enchanted long him take form in a very particular combination: The Setting honors Opsvik’s love of 70s and 80s synthesizer music, ECM solo guitar albums, and experimental art pop, but sets these aesthetics in a conversation with boldly acoustic elements like the earthy upright bass, acoustic guitar, and harpsichord. This juxtaposition, only emphasized by the conspicuous and artful absence of a drummer, makes for a dreamlike listening experience, persuasive and melancholic –– inviting rumination and playing with nostalgia.

Eivind Opsvik upright bass and compositions Elias Stemeseder piano and synthesizers Will Graefe acoustic guitars and electronics

Brooklyn-based drummer jondownload opens the evening with a live solo set with drums and expressive software instruments—extended, raw versions of his digital content. jondownload is the performing alias of Brooklyn based drummer Jonathan Starks. He is one third of the acclaimed band, My trio. His solo performances offer hi-fi digital soundscapes powered by acoustic drumming.

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing.

"It’s easy to get lost in the music of The Setting. It is a record ideal for contemplation or simply day-dreaming."

"While there are certainly touchstones of previous subgenres and legendary artists – ranging from Brian Eno to Joe Zawinul to Ryuichi Sakamoto – all over this beguiling record, the result is a sound that is unlike anything else most ears have heard. The overall experience is decidedly low-key, but with plenty of moments that are haunting, mysterious, and slightly avant-garde – all delivered with a disarming elegance.

......

The absence of an actual drummer in a jazz trio isn’t unheard of. Still, it does create interesting challenges for the arrangements, which the three assembled musicians are only too happy to turn into dazzling, unorthodox sonic combinations.

.......

The Setting’s music is uncommonly satisfying and tastefully strange. It sounds like plenty of things you may have already heard, but never in this particular combination. These three musicians have not only soaked up a sterling set of musical influences but have also found a way to put them together in a truly artful, enchanting package."

Review of ; The Setting

The Setting is out today

Buy on LP CD Digital (or stream, not on spotify though)

Bandcamp

Loyal Label

The Setting, a trio of bassist and composer Eivind Opsvik, Elias Stemeseder on piano and synthesizers, and Will Graefe on acoustic guitars, release their debut album of the same name. This stunning ten-song record brings to fruition a seed that Eivind Opsvik has been carrying with him for about a decade. Sounds and sensibilities that have enchanted the composer and bassist take form in a very particular combination long dreamt of: The Setting honors Opsvik’s love of 70s and 80s synthesizer music, ECM solo guitar albums, and experimental art pop, but sets these aesthetics in a considered conversation with boldly acoustic elements like the earthy upright bass, acoustic guitar, and harpsichord. This juxtaposition, only emphasized by the conspicuous and artful absence of a drummer, makes for a dreamlike listening experience, persuasive and melancholic –– inviting rumination and playing with though never fully giving into nostalgia. The Setting is uncanny.

The Setting — album out in February on Loyal Label.

First single; Hold On Tight to Your Music, available now on most streaming (no Spotify)

The Setting is Elias Stemeseder, Will Graefe, and Eivind Opsvik

Out now on most streaming platforms (except Spotify because they suck the most). The full album will be released here on Loyal Label on February 20th on a beautiful gatefold vinyl LP, on CD, and on the digital platforms, including Bandcamp. This music is a blend of improvisation, art pop, and ambient music. The music draws inspiration from Brian Eno's ambient music, 1970s ECM solo guitar recordings, and Pink Floyd's early experiments to list a few. The absence of drums creates a chamber music-like atmosphere that brings out a lot of nuance and depth in the electro-acoustic instrumentation.

Hear the single on YouTube

The Setting features Eivind Opsvik on upright bass, Will Graefe on acoustic guitars and FX, and Elias Stemeseder on synthesizers, Wurlitzer piano, harpsichord, and piano. It was all beautifully recorded, mixed, and produced by Randall Dunn. Album photography and art direction is by Michelle Arcila and the album design by Espen Friberg.

NEW SINGLE OUT TODAY

ELECTRIC KIDS

Creeping up on you like a well-intentioned snake, this track charts the dangers of electronic devices on the young, while a rhythmic weighted blanket provided by drummer JT Bates and electric bass lulls you into the enigmatic side of things.

You do Have to Right now Tell you Do it Unplug your kids Reset the kids Off grid your kids It’s now Don’t wait Until Too late Time flies No more Ig Snap twitch Fb Tik Tok Unplug your kids Reset the kids Off grid your kids Let’s save them kids

credits

June 14th

Solar Myth

Philly

Anna Webber - saxophone / flute

Thomas Strønen - drums

Eivind Opsvik - bass

8pm

50% off code on dice : JUNE50