The Squid's Ear Magazine


Rodrigues, Ernesto / Helena Espvall / Tracy Lisk : Illuminations (Creative Sources)

A fluid and energetic improvisation recorded live at COSMOS in Lisbon, as Ernesto Rodrigues (viola, crackle box), Helena Espvall (cello), and Tracy Lisk (drums) engage in a texturally rich performance of scattered, bouncing string interplay, with percussion subtly framing the dialogue, resulting in a dynamic and layered exploration of sound.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Ernesto Rodrigues-viola, crackle box

Helena Espvall-cello

Tracy Lisk-drums


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 5609063408447

Label: Creative Sources
Catalog ID: cs844
Squidco Product Code: 35759

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2024
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded live at COSMOS, in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 26th, 2024, by Ernesto Rodrigues.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

A dynamic and intricate meeting of strings and percussion, Illuminations brings together violist Ernesto Rodrigues, cellist Helena Espvall, and drummer Tracy Lisk in a striking improvisational dialogue. Recorded live at COSMOS in Lisbon, this performance unfolds with a scattered, bouncing interplay between the viola and cello, their gestures weaving together in fragmented yet cohesive motion. Lisk's drumming, though slightly recessed, provides an atmospheric foundation, allowing the string textures to take center stage. The result is a nuanced and exploratory session that balances spontaneity with a deep sense of structure, offering a rich and absorbing listen for fans of abstract string improvisation.


Artist Biographies

"He has been playing the violin for 30 years and in that time has played all genres of music ranging from contemporary music to free jazz and improvised music, live and in the studio.

His main interest shifted towards contemporary improvised and composed music.

The relationship with his instruments is focused in sonic and textural elements.

Electronic music was an early influence on his approach to violin playing, which challenges traditional romantic concepts of the violin/viola through use of preparations and micro tuning.

Active in different settings on the Portuguese scene for free improvised music, both as a collaborator and in leading his own groups.

Music for Dance, Cinema, Video and Performance.

Has created the record label Creative Sources Recordings in 1999, which mainly concentrates on releasing experimental and electro-acoustic music."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/creative_artists.html)
4/21/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Helena Espvall is a cello player who is comfortable in indie rock and improvised music circles. She was born and raised in Sweden, playing guitar and cello in rock bands and a silent movie orchestra. Moving to the U.S. and settling in Philadelphia in 2000, Espvall further explored Arabic music, performed with the Amnesiac Music & Dance Ensemble, and joined the contemporary psychedelic-folk group Espers, recording the CDs Weed Tree and II with them. Her penchant for playing free jazz has resulted in collaborations with guitarist Eugene Chadbourne. She is a featured artist with saxophonist/flutist Oluyemi Thomas on his recording Before the Beginning, and with From Quagmire on Habitats in the Wound. Espvall's debut CD as a leader, Nimis & Arx, from the Pax/Fire Museum label is produced by George Korien, where she plays cello, guitar, and recorder, sings and uses electronics. Other artists she has worked with include Katt Hernandez, Lukas Ligeti, Masaki Batoh, Gui Mallon, Nick Castro, Bert Jansch, Sharron Kraus, Fürsaxa, Vashti Bunyan, Samara Lubelski, Marissa Nadler, Damon & Naomi, Arborea, Curia, Golden Ball, the Valerie Project, Polineros, and Scorces.

Helena Espvall is a Swedish-American musician noted for her participation in the post-millennial psych-folk and free improv scenes. Her primary instruments are cello, guitar and voice."

-Helena Espvall Website (https://helena-espvall.keepvid.io/fr)
4/21/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Tracy Lisk is a percussionist who mainly performs on drum set, based in Philadelphia PA. Lisk's history as a painter informs the substance of her improvisations which contain references to rhythmic structures while maintaining a fluid, suspended continuity.

Lisk has a background in Brazilian percussion and has worked with master drummers in Salvador, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and performed in, as well as lead percussion ensembles in Philadelphia. She has collaborated with William Parker, saxophonist Gary Hassay, Andrea Pensado (electronics/voice), dancer Ryuzo Fukuhara (JP, SI), Mia Zabelka (AU), and cellist Helena Espvall (PT), among others.

In September 2023 she played with Susanna Ferrar, Maggie Nicols and Sylvia Hallett at the ImproMonday Festival in Zagreb. [Lisk is also a member of London Improvisers Orchestra]

-Mopomoso (https://mopomoso.com/artists/tracy-lisk/)
4/21/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



01. Illuminations 43:55

Related Categories of Interest:


Creative Sources
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Jazz
Trio Recordings
Stringed Instruments
New in Improvised Music
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Creative Sources.


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