Always Digging The Same Hole

Astrid

1 Talking People 9:54
2 Remembering Through Narrative 8:11
3 At The End 6:27
4 Not All Is Visible 8:23
5 Sky Morning 4:03

Founded in 1997 by Cyril Secq and Yvan Ros as a guitar/drums duo, Astrïd subsequently expanded and settled around the violin player Vanina Andreani (1998), followed by the clarinet player Guillaume Wickel (2005). The core of the group is based in Nantes, France.

Astrïd’s instrumental and expansive music has been inspired by improvised music, folk, post-rock and jazz, as well as by classical and contemporary composers, from Ravel to Arvo Pärt. Their work has been released across a number of albums on various labels, including Gizeh Records, Monotype Records and Rune Grammofon. Collaboration with other musicians informed Astrïd’s joint release with Rachel Grimes, Through the Sparkle (2017), and Cyril Secq has released duo albums with Sylvain Chauveau and Orla Wren.

Astrïd’s album Always Digging The Same Hole includes five pieces, each of which patiently and delicately charts its course through different dynamics and moods. The album foregrounds the group’s live performance, close listening and interplay, resulting in atmospheres which are hauntingly suspended and poetically suggestive.

The CD packaging was conceived by visual artist Peter Liversidge across a 6-panel gatefold sleeve, 16 page CD booklet and CD sleeve. Peter’s work was developed in response to the album, and is centred around a series of photographs, some including the band. In addition to his work for galleries and publications, Peter has also worked with a number of musicians, including album cover designs and stage projections for Low.

Band member Guillaume Wickel sadly died in 2022, and Always Digging The Same Hole is dedicated to him.

"The fact that their music hasn’t reached more ears is yet another mind-boggling event that is sadly becoming all too familiar across the underground landscape. … A release heavy with emotive, sullen atmospheres and tempo shifts that echo the likes of Chris Abrahams and The Necks …"
— Sun-13 review

"An immersive experience that evokes deep emotions and invites listeners to get lost in an exceptional sound world."
— Solenopole review

"Astrïd manages to make a deep impression every time. … unfolded in a cinematic and rustic way. You have to look for it somewhere between Dictaphone, Set Fire To Flames, Rachel's, Talk Talk, Boxhead Ensemble, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble and Slow Six. It is majestic masterful magic that they bring out here."
— Subjectivism review