Mycelium is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Mycelium is also the album that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Berlin-based duo Spill – German keyboards player Magda Mayas (known from such experimental ensembles as Great Waitress and Jane In Ether) and Australian drummer Tony Buck (of The Necks fame), who are partners also in life. The Mycelium structure imagines faithfully Spill’s unique approach to the piano and percussion combination. Mayas and Buck collaborated and recorded together also with other like-minded improvisers, most recently with British sax player John Butcher (Glints, Ni-Vu-Ni-Connu, 2022)
Mycelium is the fifth album of Spill and was recorded in Berlin following a period of focused workshopping. It expands the sonic palette of Spill and deals with notions of space, slowness and delay. Mayas play a prepared piano, Fender Rhodes, clavinet and organ while Buck adds the guitar, monochord, bells, gongs and waterphone to his drum set. Spill also used the recording studio for layering, overdubbing, processing and contrasting acoustic spaces which further enriched the duo’s aesthetics.
Mycelium deepens the sonic territories explored in Spill’s previous album Stereo (Corvo, 2018). The four distinct pieces unfold slowly and sketch subtle, often sensual and tender textures of detailed acoustic and electronic sounds. Spill employs its experimental approach in a way that transforms these textures into engaging and surprisingly charming ones. The opening, 23-minute of «Aerate» suggests the hypnotic and enigmatic, deep listening dialog between the diverse keyboards, string and percussion instruments as well as the idiosyncratic and imaginative harmonic and melodic language of Spill. The following pieces are shorter but keep developing patiently Spill’s mysterious and kaleidoscopic, fragrant aural organism with a rare sense of beauty.
This release of this jubilee album will be followed by performances of Spill with some of its closest friends – Mexican cellist and sound artist Aimeé Theriot Ramos, Welsh violinist Angharad Davies, Swedish guitarist David Stackenäs, Butcher, German guitarist Olaf Rupp and French-Lebanese sax player Christine Abdelnour.
Eyal Hareuveni
Magda Mayas (p, clavinet, Fender Rhodes, org), Tony Buck (dr, perc, g, waterphone, monochord)
