Stars In The Static

Sydney quartet Believe return with 'Nature's God': a meditation on the beauty of human existence and the power of the planet we love. This ode to connection is a bold next step for a band exploring what it is to be fully, unabashedly alive in the moment. The powerhouse group combines four of the most inventive improvisers – and composers – in Sydney’s creative music scene. Greg Sher catches up with Clayton Thomas, the bassist from Believe, ahead of their show at Jazz Lab on Sunday, July 12.

Also joining Greg on the show tonight is composer and Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) Artistic Director, Aaron Choulai. 'Smoke Between Mountains' is the new work by Aaron Choulai with the AAO, and it will premiere in Naarm/Melbourne as part of the AAO's Sonic City program on July 8. Composed for an ensemble of nine musicians, it traces a dreamlike narrative drawing on Shinto and Australian First Nations ecological thought against an innovative score that plays with the Ghibli sound world.

Coming on to Stars In The Static this week is New Zealand-born pianist Mike Nock. A work of astonishing emotional depth, his seminal album 'Ondas' was recorded in Oslo in 1981, featuring himself on piano, bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jon Christensen. More than four decades on, it remains one of German independent jazz record label ECM’s towering achievements. Greg catches up with Mike Nock about performing his album in full at Fed Square on July 23, with support from Krakatau.