Zeitgeber - Fellow Prisoners of the Splendour and Travail of the Earth - Part 1 (2024) [Hi-Res]

Sydney’s Zeitgeber have always been interested in cyclical rhythms, whether in biology, cosmology, or music. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, they create engrossing compositions that gently drag you towards their center, and leave you with a feeling of attentiveness and connectedness.

Their new album, 'Fellow Prisoners of the Splendour and Travail of the Earth - Part 1', further expands the lush instrumentation of their previous releases. A piano-and-drums combination lies at the album’s core, and which patiently unfolds in beautiful harmonic layers of clarinet, synths, bass, and viola.

The influences from the contemporary jazz scene are clear - one can hear the inspiration of Dawn Of Midi’s patient rhythmic cycles; of Tigran Hamasyan sublime melodic polyrhythms; of GoGo Penguin’s neatly unfolding compositions; and of the melodic/rhythmic interplay of Ikarus and Nik Bartsch - but there is a deeply organic sensibility to Zeitgeber’s music that marks it as unique.

The project is the brain-child of Sydney-based composer, pianist and percussionist Evan McGregor (Hashshashin, HELU), who is also credited with synths and bass on 'Fellow Prisoners’. He is joined by his long-time collaborator Phillippa Murphy-Haste on clarinet and viola, alongside Tim Brown (Serious Beak, Squat Club) on guitar.

“This new release is centered on ideas of chronobiology and perception,” explains Evan. “The fact is, every animal (humans included) is barricaded into their own perceptual worlds and can never really know what it’s like to be another. Given this, I’m interested in pushing back against an anthropocentric view of experience to consider the perceptual worlds of all creatures. And to advocate for humility and a deep respect for the diverse experiences across all species.”

“The songs themselves go deeper into specific concepts - time perception, migratory restlessness, circannual rhythms, sensory systems and the illusory aspects of experience among others.”

Historically a drummer/percussionist, Evan is a relative newcomer to the piano, drawing influence from Tigran Hamasyan, Amino Belyamani (Dawn Of Midi / Ssahha), and Chris Illingworth (GoGo Penguin) - though passed through his own love of oscillating polymeters.

The result is impressive and profound: 'Fellow Prisoners of the Splendour and Travail of the Earth - Part 1' is a record of shimmering beauty, of delicate interconnected elements, and of exceptional creativity. It is an essential listen for fans of contemporary jazz, or those tracking the wonderful output of Australia’s underground.

Zeitgeber is:
Evan McGregor - piano, drums, bass, synths, didgeridoo, harmonium, percussion
Phillippa Murphy-Haste - clarinet, bass clarinet, viola

Tracklist:
1-1. Zeitgeber - Innenwelt - perceptions as heuristics (04:25)
1-2. Zeitgeber - Innenwelt - semiosphere (05:25)
1-3. Zeitgeber - Passage Of Time - overclocking (12:37)
1-4. Zeitgeber - Passage Of Time - time dilates after spontaneous blinking (08:50)
1-5. Zeitgeber - Signal - exafference (04:36)
1-6. Zeitgeber - Signal - reafference (05:42)