Elysian Fields

Elysian Fields was formed by Jenny Eriksson, Matt Keegan, and Matt McMahon in 2015. The band is an ongoing experiment in creating new improvised and composed repertoire for the electric viola da gamba – of which Eriksson is believed to be the only Australian exponent. The band has released two CDs: “What should I say” and ‘Fika”. Both stream on major platforms and can be purchased on this site or via Buywell Music and Bandcamp.

The backbone of Elysian Field’s set list consists of original works written specifically for the line-up by Matt McMahon, Matt Keegan, Jenny Eriksson and founding bassist, Siebe Pogson, along with arrangements and originals by Susie Bishop and, more recently, Dave Goodman. The band’s covers range widely from Eriksson’s unique arrangements of several songs by Marin Marais to charts and folk song arrangements by Susie Bishop and Jenny Eriksson reflecting Jenny’s Scandinavian heritage, to the likes of Swedish jazz/fusion guitarist, Mats Norrefalk, e.s.t. and Norwegian pianist/composer, Jan Gunnar Hoff. More recent commissions include works by renowned Australian composer, Gordon Kerry, and Sydney-based Alice Chance.

Elysian Field’s influences are as broad as its member’s eclectic interests and include e.s.t., Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, Tord Gustavson, Victor Wooten, Mats Norrefalk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Weather Report, Mara!, traditional Indian music, Irish and Swedish folk song, Jordi Savall, Marin Marais, John McLauglin, Steve Hunter, Pat Metheny, Jan Gunnar Hoff and Joni Mitchell.