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.

An autographed 5" x 5" 2-sided album facsimile of Daniel Levin's superb solo album "At Dropa House". Limited to 20 copies, each comes with a download code for the digital album.

"It was only the day after the Dropa House live session that Daniel Levin shared with me, during my Freakscene radio show at Radio Centraal, that classical music and abstract experimentation on the cello for him as an artist are so completely interwoven that it has evolved into one unified whole. And by saying so he acknowledged what the audience consciously or unconsciously experienced while watching and hearing him making the most elegant movements with his bow and body, even without touching the cello, just graciously stroking the air before diving back into a plastic wrap crackle or an impressive sustained note. Whether you were thinking about Bach or Beethoven, or Fluxus, Merce Cunningham or any other reference, you were always right. And you still are when you listen back.

This live session was not only for an audience with a trained ear. Besides fellow musicians and fans of improvised music, this was a concert for a community of people. Kids, elderly and young people, families, neighbours who carry a warm heart for Dropa House were drawn into the world of abstract improvised tones and movements in such an impressive way that they walked away in awe, talking about the special moment they just shared amongst each other. It was something they can cherish for a long time and thanks to this recording, capturing that unique moment, the community of people that can share and cherish this exceptional music can keep growing."-Koen Vandenhoudt & Christel KumpenDropa House, Antwerp

About Daniel Levin (US)

Free jazz and improvisation, classical and contemporary composition, microtonality, and experimentation - these are just a few of the elements that define the work of American cellist Daniel Levin. This is evident in his mesmerizing solo performances and the impressive array of collaborations he has cultivated over the years. Think of artists such as Billy Bang, Borah Bergman, Nate Wooley, Tim Berne, Anthony Braxton, Andrew Cyrille, Mark Dresser, Joe Morris, William Parker, Ken Vandermark, Chris Corsano, Joe McPhee, and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten.

With his third solo release on the horizon in March, 2025, tited solo on the Ears & Eyes label - Levin journeyed to Dropa House to deliver a rare solo set in this part of the world.