Circles by Lea Gasser 5tet
“I'm happy to present you the second album of my 5tet. I wrote most of the songs during a two-month residency in Iceland. 10 years ago, I had already travelled around the island on my bike and fell in love with the vast and lonely landscapes. That trip filled me with deep inspiration. Last year's stay in the north allowed me to slow down and concentrate on my creative work - a luxury in our fast-paced world. Between squalls, endless days of sunshine, dense fog, leaking glaciers and volcanic eruptions, I created new pieces that tell stories of elves and trolls. Delicately realised and further developed with my fellow musicians, my ideas come to life. I wish you a good journey!” - Lea, May 2025
Tracklist
| 1. | Elves (feat. Sibyl Hofstetter) | 7:46 |
| 2. | Rain | 9:09 |
| 3. | Birds | 3:32 |
| 4. | Troll | 7:38 |
| 5. | Calling Roads | 8:02 |
| 6. | Zwischenwelten | 6:08 |
| 7. | Sofðu Unga Ástin Mín (feat. Sibyl Hofstetter) | 3:28 |
| 8. | Gluggaveður | 3:49 |
| 9. | Halo | 5:19 |
| 10. | November | 8:48 |
Credits
released October 31, 2025
Lea Gasser: accordion, composition
Samuel Urscheler: saxophone alto & soprano, flute, duduk
Mirko Maio: piano, fender rhodes
Emilio Giovanoli: double bass
Romain Ballarini: drums
We all sing on 4 and 7
Sibyl Hofstetter: vocals on 1 and 7
Music written by Lea Gasser, “Zwischenwelten” (6) co-composed with Romain Ballarini, “Sofðu Unga Ástin Mín” (7) is an arrangement of an Icelandic Lullaby
Lyrics “Elves” (1) written by Lea Gasser, lyrics “Sofðu Unga Ástin Mín” (7) by Jóhann Sigurjónsson
Recorded by Martin Dreßler, on February 20-22, 2025
Mixed by Martin Dreßler, mastered by Stefan Albrecht
Bauer Studios Ludwigsburg DE
Artwork and Graphic Design by Katrin Kaufmann
Special thanks to Samuel, Mirko, Romain, Emilio and Sibyl, Bettina Bertók-Thumm from Neuklang, Martin Dreßler, Stefan Albrecht, Katrin Kaufmann, Maria Harrison, Kristinn Kristinsson, Ville de Lausanne & Canton de Vaudt & Pro Helvetia for the financial support, Sarah Chaksad for the coaching, Kris from Fish Factory in Stöðvarfjörður & Vicky from NES in Skagaströnd, friends and family for your support!
Lea Gasser: accordion, composition
Samuel Urscheler: saxophone alto & soprano, flute, duduk
Mirko Maio: piano, fender rhodes
Emilio Giovanoli: double bass
Romain Ballarini: drums
We all sing on 4 and 7
Sibyl Hofstetter: vocals on 1 and 7
Music written by Lea Gasser, “Zwischenwelten” (6) co-composed with Romain Ballarini, “Sofðu Unga Ástin Mín” (7) is an arrangement of an Icelandic Lullaby
Lyrics “Elves” (1) written by Lea Gasser, lyrics “Sofðu Unga Ástin Mín” (7) by Jóhann Sigurjónsson
Recorded by Martin Dreßler, on February 20-22, 2025
Mixed by Martin Dreßler, mastered by Stefan Albrecht
Bauer Studios Ludwigsburg DE
Artwork and Graphic Design by Katrin Kaufmann
Special thanks to Samuel, Mirko, Romain, Emilio and Sibyl, Bettina Bertók-Thumm from Neuklang, Martin Dreßler, Stefan Albrecht, Katrin Kaufmann, Maria Harrison, Kristinn Kristinsson, Ville de Lausanne & Canton de Vaudt & Pro Helvetia for the financial support, Sarah Chaksad for the coaching, Kris from Fish Factory in Stöðvarfjörður & Vicky from NES in Skagaströnd, friends and family for your support!
