Avgenicos Brothers release debut album 'Treading Water'
Treading Water is the long-awaited debut from Avgenicos Brothers. Featuring saxophonist Michael Avgenicos and his brother, trumpeter Tom Avgenicos, the joint project sees them alongside some of Sydney’s leading young jazz artists including pianist Novak Manojlovic (Freedman Jazz Fellowship winner), guitarist Felix Lalanne (Montreux International Guitar Competition finalist), bassist Nick Henderson and drummer Alex Hirlian (National Jazz Award Winner). This debut embodies the brothers’ lifelong musical dialogue amongst a love of modern jazz, groove and electronic sound scapes.
The band members all met during their time at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music from 2012 to ‘15, and have since played in many bands together including Colourfields, Arcing Wires, Fryja and other collaborations across the Sydney improvised music scene.
“As friends and peers, we have an implicit understanding of each other’s playing,” explains Tom. “This has helped shape the sound of the group. Michael and I have been playing together from the first days on our instruments, and regularly share ideas and work together, especially in our writing. By the time we bring our new tunes to the band, we have a strong idea about how it will sound and come to life.”
Treading Water represents the feeling of overcoming. It frames the process of perseverance, resilience and reflection through open textural improvisation, expressive solos and thoughtful ensemble playing. “This album is a watershed moment for us, having spent years honing our craft as performers and composers,” says Michael. “Now is the right time for this album to emerge – an honest representation of our musical journeys.”
Michael and Tom Avgenicos are well known fixtures on the Australian jazz scene, both are National Jazz Awards finalists and have performed alongside Australian jazz greats Barney McAll, Jonathan Zwartz and Mike Nock. Michael is an active member of Coast, Eishan Ensemble and Fryja. Tom leads his own projects Delay 45 and Tuckerbox, and is a member of Mike Nock’s NOCTET.
Artist: Avgenicos Brothers
Album: Treading Water
Release: September 4
Label: Earshift Music distributed by MGM
Format: CD, DL and streaming services
Catalogue Number: EAR044
Streaming/Download: https://avgenicosbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/treading-water-3
Personnel: Tom Avgenicos - trumpet, Michael Avgenicos - saxophone, Novak Manojlovic - keyboards, Felix Lalanne - guitar, Nick Henderson - bass, Alex Hirlian - drums
Album Launch Details
Thurs September 17
Lazybones Lounge Restaurant & Bar
294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville, NSW
$30 entry
7pm doors, music from 9-12am
with support from Hilary Geddes Quartet + .ilex.
Bookings essential, limited capacity https://www.trybooking.com/BKXZA
About the Music
Each track was recorded live over two days at Golden Retriever Studios, with everyone in the same room. They were then taken to mixing and post production, firstly with Nick Henderson, and later with Simon Berckelman, adding extra synths and piano, percussion and effects overdubs. Treading Water was mastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301.
“Toy Boy” - there is more to this song than meets the eye; much of the music heard on this track was unplanned. The album opener begins with a delicate free improvisation section before launching into a roaring 3/4 groove. Unsure of how to finish the song, the final section was improvised during recording and invokes echoes of Sydney instrumental-impro band ‘Godtet’.
“Because She Said So” - is a hard-hitting track, marrying unconventional harmony with a house-techno style groove. The song features high-energy solo dialogue from the brothers.
“Surely Not” - This track is mellow and clean, focusing on subtle textures and simplicity, building slowly into the release of a strong unison melody. Manojlovic’s sonic palette shines through the mix.
“Treading Water” - the title track of the album represents the feeling of overcoming. The first half of the track is rhythmically complex and evokes a destabilising feeling. As it intensifies, a sense of solidarity and resilience ensues. A lush rubato completes the track, before leading into “Drive”
“Drive” - is inspired by the regular trip undertaken from Sydney to their mother’s house in Newcastle. The track features a cyclical chord progression which steadily builds through a layering of electronics, synths and horn playing.
“Schyea” - Written as an interlude, this track is a short progression over a solid groove. It’s all about feeling good!
“Steady” - “Steady” centres around a bouncing riff which is carried throughout the track. The band weaves through polyrhythmic deceptions behind a strong melody, devolving into a chaos through which Hirlian’s drum solo emerges.
“Blizzing” - this track was written while Michael was snowed in during an intense blizzard in Washington D.C. It features a steady yet detailed harmonic rhythm and a slow building, lyrical melody which ascends towards Lalanne’s triumphant odd-meter guitar solo.
“Schyea (outro)” - created solely in post-production using reversed tape samples and delay effects from other tracks. This short track hints at the future direction of the group.