Halvcrikel’s music is created on violin, viola, and cello. The Danish group is essentially a trio that, depending on the piece / performance, sometimes expands, but never contracts. Essential to their aesthetic is a “non-hierarchical” sound, which means that all three instruments are always playing together. Weaving and winding around one another. There are no solos. No showcases, spotlights. No prima donnas. Everyone is equal. While these voices sometimes blend, and blur, so sympathetically, that the individuals amount to a single whole, that doesn’t mean that everyone is always “singing” the same tune. Rather their compositions are like conversations, discussions, arguments even. With the instruments often contrasting chaos and calm. Each improvisation riffing off another. Agreeing to disagree.

Heavily influenced by pioneering minimalist Terry Riley – Halvcirkel have both covered and collaborated with the legendary Californian composer – intertwining repetitive patterns are central to what they do. The droning Ridge, rich with reed-like resonance, is a tribute to Riley. As is the lighthearted, folk-flavoured, Good Medicine, which Halvcirkel describe as a “self-portrait”. Played only in pizzicato it recalls the wonderful work of Simon and Arthur Jeffes’ Penguin Cafe.

The numbers on Halvcirkel’s latest album, Viva, were inspired by nature and in particular Nordic landscapes. The natural beauty of Sweden, Iceland, and their native Denmark. København, for example, captures the hope, and joy, of spring with a see-sawing sort of sea shanty melody. The glacial Arvo Part-like Vetrasky paints pictures of seasonal pink skies. Smaland tangos, dramatically, celebrating finding sanctuary in a forest, off grid. Allting Faller is a ringer for Brian Eno’s ambience, while the live loops on We Like Our Friends call to mind the techno’s restless energy. However, there’s no post-production going on. Another component to Halvcirkel is their embrace of mistakes. Placing “being human” over perfection. On Speech there are audible, split second, pauses as fingers reach for strings. Searching for the right note, the right word to say.

Halvcrikel’s Vida is out now on FatCat Records.