The Austrian trio The Thunks — pianist Elisabeth Harnik with percussionists Martin Brandlmayr and Didi Kern — present a live set of playful and unpredictable free improvisation recorded at the 2024 Konfrontationen Festival, where prepared piano, inside-the-piano textures, and fragmented percussion interact in shifting, swarm-like patterns of spontaneous collective exploration.
In Stock
Quantity in Basket: None
Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 3.00 units
EU & UK Customers:
Discogs.com can handle your VAT payments
So please order through Discogs
Sample The Album:
Elisabeth Harnik-piano, objects
Martin Brandlmayr-drums
Didi Kern-drums
Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.
UPC: 9120036684232
Label: Trost Records
Catalog ID: TROST 255CD
Squidco Product Code: 37262
Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2026
Country: Austria
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded live at Konfrontationen Festival, in Nickelsdorf, Switzerland on July 26th, 2024.
"The Thunks are Elisabeth Harnik (piano and objects), Martin Brandlmayr (drums), and Didi Kern (drums). Recorded by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Osterreich 1) at Konfrontationen Festival in Nickelsdorf, Austria 2024. Three creative cells of Austrian avantgarde music form a playful trio of piano and drums/percussion -- pianist and composer Elisabeth Harnik has various improvisation projects, for instance with Joelle Leandre, Ken Vandermark, Zlatko Kaucic, Tony Buck, etc. She is backed by Martin Brandlmayr of Radian-fame, who works fluently in jazz, electronics and acoustic music, and Didi Kern who, coming from Bulbul guitar underground and Noiserock, lately found his place in the international improv scene."-Trost
"The Thunks is the Austrian free improvising supergroup featuring pianist-composer Elisabeth Harnik, known for her collaborations with sax heroes Ken Vandermark (DEK Trio) and Dave Rempis (Earsctratcher), as well as her work with double master Joëlle Léandre and drummer Zlatko Kaučič; drummer-composer Martin Brandlmayr (who is also a sound artist and electronics musician, of Radian and Polwechsel), and drummer Didi Kern (who also plays in the DEK Trio and the noise-rock Bulbul). The debut album of the trio was recorded live by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) at the 2024 edition of the Konfrontationen Festival in Nickelsdorf, Austria.
These highly experienced and resourceful improvisers have established their idiosyncratic voices, and this unique trio allows them to offer their unique approaches. Harnik alternates between playing the piano keys and playing inside the piano, often with objects, to explore other resonant timbres. Brandlmayr and Kern are by no means a rhythm section; they focus more on exploring unpredictable, fragmented pulse and expanding their sonic palettes with extended percussive techniques and objects.
The 43-minute set offers a captivating demonstration of the art of the moment. Harnik, Brandlmayr, and Kern wisely construct, shape, and deconstruct loose textures, finding fleeting resonant, percussive sounds, and unpredictable pulses without losing the stimulating tension, the playful joy of making music together, or the sensibility of form. Often, this trio sounds like a small, well-coordinated yet anti-authoritarian swarm of imaginative improvisers choreographing complex and intense dances that refuse to settle into familiar patterns."-Eyal Hareuveni, Salt Peanuts
Get additional information at Salt Peanuts
Artist Biographies
• Show Bio for Elisabeth Harnik "Elisabeth Harnik, free-lance composer and pianist, was born 1970 in Graz and lives in Gams (County of Styria/Austria). She studied classical piano and later - with Beat Furrer - composition at what is now the Univer sity of Music and Performing Arts, Graz. The "repertoire" and it's extensions in composition and improvisation is her central focus. Harnik works within an electro-acoustic inspired sound-world, using unique preparations and extended techniques. Performances include: Easterfestival Graz 2002, Hörfest Graz 2003/04/05, Styrian Chamber Music Festival 2003, Klangmühle Orth an der Donau 2005, Munich Ope ra Festival 2006, Mozart- Year Vienna 2006, Paul Hofhaimer Musiktage 2006, Composers' Forum Mittersill 2008, Haydn Year 2009, Festival 4020 Linz 2009, Sou ndings Festival London 2010, Opera Graz, Musikprotokoll/Steirischer Herbst 2011, E_MAY Festival Vienna 2011/2012, Klangspuren Schwaz 2012, Transart Festiv al Bozen 2012, Wien Modern 2013, Estonian Harpsichord Society Festival 2014, A udio ArtFestival Pula 2014 a.o. She has worked with renowned artists and ensembles such as the Ensemble Zeitfluss Graz, the Ensemble 09 Linz, the Ensemble MusikFabri kSüd, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, the Klangforum Vienna, the Ensemb le "die reihe" Vienna, the Ensemble Kontrapunkte Vienna, the ensemble Reconsil Vienna, the Ensemble PHACE Vienna, the Ensemble Platypus Vienna, the Hay dn-Trio-Eisenstadt, the Trio AMOS Vienna, the Trio EIS Vienna, the Thürmchen Ens emble Cologne, the Fidelio Trio London, the Cantus Ensemble Zagreb, the Ensemble mise-en New York and various national and international soloists. She received a great number of rewards and prizes, most recently she was Artist in Residence at the OMI International Arts Center New York 2010 and Composer in Residence 2013 at the IZZM in Ossiach/Austria. In addition to her work as composer she appears as improvisator at various national and international festivals such as the V:NM-Festival, the Ulrichsberger Kaleidophon, the Nickelsdorfer Konfrontationen, the Artacts Festival St. Johann, the Music Unlimited Festival Wels, the Soundgrube Vienna, the Comprovise Festival Cologne, the Beethoven Fest Bonn, the A L'ARME! Festival Ber lin, the Jazz & More Festival Sibiu, the Alpenglow Festival London, the All Ears Festival Oslo, the Umbrella Music Festival Chicago, the Okka Fest Milwaukee, the Musi cacoustica Beijing, the SoundOut Festival Canberra/AUS a.o." ^ Hide Bio for Elisabeth Harnik • Show Bio for Martin Brandlmayr "Martin Brandlmayr is an Austrian percussionist, drummer, composer and electronic artist. He is widely recognized for his work in a variety of so-called "post-rock" bands, namely Radian, Trapist, and Autistic Daughters, among others. Critic Brian Olewnick has called Brandlmayr's work "extraordinarily precise". Among others, Brandlmayr has recorded or performed with John Tilbury, Fennesz, Chad Taylor, and Otomo Yoshihide. He was artist in residence 2002 at Podewil, Berlin. He now lives in Vienna, Austria and is an active member of Polwechsel." ^ Hide Bio for Martin Brandlmayr • Show Bio for Didi Kern "Didi Kern, the human rhythm machine of Bulbul, Broken Heart Collector, Fuckhead, Wipeout, Die Mäuse, Wenzl Dnatek (among others), feels at home in almost any genre: noise, rock, techno, free jazz - you name it." Didi Kern musician in rock, improvised- and electronic music, playing the drums since childhood, starting in rural marching bands. Since the 90s he is best known for his contributions in bands like Bulbul or Fuckhead. ^ Hide Bio for Didi Kern
3/17/2026
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
3/17/2026
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
3/17/2026
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
Track Listing:
1. Swarm Patterns I 29:30
2. Swarm Patterns II 13:39
March 2026
Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Trio Recordings
Instruments with Preparations
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers
Search for other titles on the label:
Trost Records.






























![MacLean, Steve: Box Of Seven [7 CD BOX]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36467.jpg)








![These Things Happen (Jackson / Hoogland / Roebke / Avery): A Gentle Reminder [VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37199.jpg)

![Mehead: One Good Eye [REISSUE]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37276.jpg)









![Swell, Steve / Ellen Christi: Songs From the Poetry Box [Book + CD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37252.jpg)



![Weathers, Andrew: Attempts: a collection of text and graphic scores [BOOK]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37251.jpg)






![Bailey, Derek / Han Bennink / Evan Parker: Topographie Parisienne (Dunois, April 2nd, 3d & 4th, 1981) [4 CDs]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37246.jpg)








![Aries House Zaes: Network Friction [VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37242.jpg)
![Lindorff-Ellery, Evan: Light Sound Falling [CASSETTE w/ DOWNLOAD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37043.jpg)
![Lindorff-Ellery, Evan / Naomi Juniper: Studio, Creek [CASSETTE W/ DOWNLOAD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37044.jpg)



![Coleman, Rodger: Journey to Brno [CASSETTE + DOWNLOAD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37175.jpg)



![Allbee, Liz: Breath Vessels [VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37012.jpg)






![Belorukov, Ilia / Alex Riva: Wrestling For Futility [CASSETTE w/DOWNLOAD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36994.jpg)


![Genthon, Anouck / Lionel Marchetti: Suite Blanche [2 CDs]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36642.jpg)
![Toeplitz, Kasper T.: Erosions Programmees [CD + BOOKLET]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36639.jpg)
![Gate, The : Almost Live [CASSETTE + MAGAZINE]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36836.jpg)








![Feldman, Morton / GBSR Duo w/ Taylor MacLennan: Trios [6 CD BOX SET]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/37020.jpg)
![Frey, Jurg : Composer, Alone [3 CDs]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36927.jpg)








![Frey, Jurg with ensemble]h[iatus: Je Laisse A La Nuit Son Poids D](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36988.jpg)




![Pisaro-Liu, Michael: Within (2) / Appearance (2) [2 CDs]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36831.jpg)










![Musicworks Magazine: #151 Summer 25 [MAGAZINE + CD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36559.jpg)


![Zorn, John: The Song of Songs [CD + CD BOOK]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36923.jpg)

![Coultrain: Mundus [COLORED VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/33056.jpg)
![Hprizm: Signs Remixed [COLORED VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/30635.jpg)
![Halls Of the Machine: All Tribal Dignitaries [CASSETTE w/ DOWNLOAD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36134.jpg)



![Koenjihyakkei: Live at Club Goodman [2 CDs]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36111.jpg)

![Sorry For Laughing (G. Whitlow / M. Bates / Dave-Id / E. Ka-Spel): Rain Flowers [2 CDS]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/35985.jpg)

![Rolando, Tommaso / Andy Moor : Biscotti [CASSETTE w/ DOWNLOADS]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/36106.jpg)


![Electric Bird Noise / Derek Roddy: 8-10-22 [CD EP]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/35970.jpg)








![Elephant9 : Mythical River [VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/34624.jpg)

![Coley, Byron: Dating Tips for Touring Bands [VINYL]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/17906.jpg)

![Lost Kisses: My Life is Sad & Funny [DVD]](https://www.teuthida.com/productImages/misc4/lostKissesDVD.jpg)