The Setting, the trio, and The Setting, the album, is the debut of the New York-based new trio of Norwegian double bass player and composer Eivind Opsvik, Austrian pianist and keyboard player Elias Stemeseder, and American guitarist Will Graefe (who has played with Joan as Policewoman and Okkervil River among others). The album was recorded at Applehead Recording in Woodstock in April 2024.

Opsvik composed ten atmospheric, intimate, emotionally resonant, and mostly acoustic pieces that, surprisingly, reflect his love of 1970s and 1980s synth music by Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Joe Zawinul, and even Kate Bush (with a piece titled «Sivilisasjon i Rommet» (Civilization in Space), as well as 1970s ECM guitar albums. These pieces blur the distinction between modern jazz, contemporary music, ambient, experimental, and art-rock. The album was produced by Randall Dunn (who has worked with Björk, Anna von Hausswolf, Jim Jarmusch, and Thurston Moore), who helped shape Opsvik’s vision for The Setting.

These song-minded pieces are set in unique acoustic arrangements with Opsvik focusing on the deep-toned double bass, Graefe on acoustic guitar, and Stemeseder on the soft-sounding Baroque lute-harpsichord, with subtle layers and fragments of synths, electronics, and drum machine. The slow, patient pace of these evocative pieces stresses their contemplative, melancholic spirit, as well as the organic,  conversational dynamics of these experienced improvisers. The last piece, «The Big Yead», beautifully captures the touching, emotional core of The Setting.

The Setting has the potential to become a working trio as it has only begun to explore its unique musical universe.

Eyal Hareuveni

Elias Stemeseder (synthesizers, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, lute-harpsichord), Will Graefe (acoustic guitars, electronics, Leslie speaker), Eivind Opsvik (double bass, drum Machine)