progdolphin
It takes a special talent to turn the trombone into a weapon of profound sadness and grieving. In ambience Vendever's work succeeds in comforting the ears with a brass elegance. However, if you sit with this piece a little longer, each warbled womp will inch you a bit closer to the catharsis that I hope inspired these therapeutic sounds.
Favorite track: Held In.
'We Fell In Turn' is the solo debut from Brooklyn-based trombonist, composer, and quartet leader Kalia Vandever. Vandever, who plays with Harry Styles and Japanese Breakfast, “sculpts her trombone’s golden tones into dazzling compositions” (Pitchfork), writing music that tends to “dip you into a feeling or a pattern or a breathing speed, and keep you there” (The New York Times). In 2022, Vandever released Regrowth, an album that “features the ecstatic, brilliant melodies that have become Vandever’s signature sound” (Bandcamp). This spring, Vandever brings contemplative reflection to We Fell in Turn, a brave and understated work from an ascending voice in American jazz.
Recorded over three days in upstate New York, 'We Fell In Turn' is improvisational — a stark palate of solo trombone, voice, effects, and little more. “My solo process has always been heavily rooted in improvisation,” says Vandever. “I wanted the process to feel similar to the way I perform. Lee Meadvin, who engineered and produced the album, had a heavy hand in the creative process as well. He would dictate prompts before I started improvising and those pieces ended up shaping a lot of the imagery that comes up throughout the record.”
Connecting the dots between Jeff Parker’s 'Forfolks', and early releases from Grouper, 'We Fell In Turn' is a study of space and patience, embracing vulnerability in its sparse adornment. At times, the album is reminiscent of Patrick Shiroishi’s 'Hidemi', both in its familial inspiration and solo instrument study, while sharing the ineffable feel of William Basinski’s 'The Disintegration Loops' — the traces of her trombone folding in on themselves in an organic loop. Emotionally generous throughout, Vandever acts as a torchbearer for jazz’s historical yearning for connection.
On 'We Fell in Turn' Vandever draws inspiration from childhood memories — events that shaped her approach to love, community, and partnership, and her maternal homeland of Hawaii. “We were exploring childhood memories, earliest experiences with disappointment and pain, and my Hawaiian roots,” says Vandever. “We Fell In Turn came after I titled the track "We Wept In Turn". Both come from the intangible feeling of waking up from vivid dreams, particularly the experience of falling right before waking up or waking up in tears.”
Through this exploration into her heritage, Vandever also found guidance. “In Hawaiian mythology, ‘aumākua are known as ancestral spiritual guides that manifest in different forms, whether physical or intangible,” says Vandever. “My ‘aumākua visits me in my dreams, usually with a reassuring hug or a reminder of my past. Memories and early experiences seem to escape me, but find their way back in dreams.” And now they’ve found their way into 'We Fell in Turn', Kalia Vandever’s stunning solo debut.
credits
released March 31, 2023
Kalia Vandever - Trombone, Effects, and Voice
All songs and improvisations by Kalia Vandever
Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Lee Meadvin
Recorded in March 2022 at Koda Sound in Cortlandt, NY.
Artwork & layout by Francie Chang
Thank you to my family: Lilo, Felicia, Corina, Kevin, and Frances! I love you all dearly. Thank you to Lee Meadvin for your guidance and contribution to this album.
Kalia Vandever is a trombonist and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. Kalia has two albums to her name, "In Bloom" and "Regrowth" and is set to release her debut solo album, "We Fell In Turn" on AKP Records in March 2023.
supported by 44 fans who also own “We Fell In Turn”
Quiet, delicate songs painted on a small canvas, so you have to lean in close. Intimate and intricate, but allowed to stretch out and breathe. Completely satisfying. albinobone
supported by 44 fans who also own “We Fell In Turn”
Dearest Arooj, firstly thank you. My brother died this year n what can be said about such loss n sadness. I saw n heard you at The end of the Road in England. I spent many years in India n love all the music, poetry of your heritage. Thankyou Arooj❤️ ben1769
On the hypnotic “Through Our Time,” drifting trombone melodies wind their way through layers of plush, ambient keys. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 20, 2021
Jazz trombonist honors Jamaican ska composer Don Drummond, and the island's musical heritage writ large, with a set of covers and originals. Bandcamp New & Notable May 10, 2023
supported by 44 fans who also own “We Fell In Turn”
Unlike any other. Its feel is both reflective and down to earth, and the compositions are easily differentiated despite their relative shortness. Not only a pleasure to listen to, this album is rhythmically complex, but not in a maddening, hard to process way. Also, very clever album title. ianjworsomething