Berlin-based trio maTrigal have built their shared musical vision around the idea that music doesn’t need to respect the distinction between a chamber ensemble and a contemporary band. With Gottfried Tadashi Forck on cello, Raphael Gamper on guitar and Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz on drums, percussion and electronics, the group turns an unconventional lineup into the springboard for a truly fluid sound. Contemporary jazz, world music, electronica and modern classical elements collide within intricate harmonies, driving beats and complex polyrhythms, producing music that can feel equally at home in a concert hall or on a dancefloor.
Formed at HMT Rostock, the trio brings together diverse musical backgrounds and a curiosity for what can happen when seemingly contrasting ideas are placed in the same space. Cello, acoustic guitar and percussion might suggest one particular kind of musical language, but maTrigal are more interested in setting those assumptions aside to make music that’s at once danceable and concertante, built around movement, interaction and the possibility of surprise.
After touring Germany, Austria, France and Italy, maTrigal have confirmed their status as a band able to explore a range of musical spheres. Their unexpected instrumental combination is no novelty, it’s in fact the starting point for a wider creative philosophy, allowing the trio to construct a unique sonic language from an ever-changing collection of influences. Capturing their sound in the studio, they released their debut EP Age Of The Golden Dragon in 2019 which they followed up with their sophomore EP, Transition Void I-III in 2023.
Returning with new material this year, they’ve now released their first full-length record with Between Homes, which landed to critical acclaim. The album is the product of five years of songwriting, with experimental jazz fusion, folk and world music sitting alongside electronica, with occasional rock-inspired interludes adding another dimension. Between Homes was recorded at Watt Matters Studio in Bielefeld with sound engineer Henning Strandt and producer Jakob Böttcher, capturing the trio’s expansive approach within a studio setting.
The album’s second single, “Days of Rain”, offers a particularly clear example of that balance, presenting a stunning display of the trio’s creative flair and performance panache. Brought in by fluttering notes, the soft patter of percussion brings a laid back energy as airy string leads dance above, casting a charming folk-inflected slice of contemporary instrumental jazz music. With the pulse of warm bass notes adding to the lively groove, the track glides through intricate rhythmic switch ups, progressing through moments of downtempo aesthetic and improvised flourishes.
It’s an incredible showcase of the band’s stellar musicianship as well as the readily apparent creative chemistry that makes their sound so utterly compelling. The combination of freedom and control sits at the heart of maTrigal’s appeal and in “Days of Rain,” it results in an engaging musical moment that’s sure to win over both musical virtuosos and casual listeners alike. Between Homes ultimately feels like an extension of everything the trio has been building since their earliest releases and as they continue to go from strength to strength with each move, we can’t wait to see what comes next from this extraordinary act.
Listen to Days of Rain below
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