Seattle composer/multi-instrumentalist Abby Gundersen is perhaps best known for her work with her brother Noah, as well as recording and touring with artists such as Denison Witmer and William Fitzsimmons. At some point last year she decided that continually playing a supporting role to other artists was stifling her own creativity and set out to create something of her own.
The product of this inspiration was released early last month, a solo EP entitled Time Moves Quickly. The record is a departure from the Pacific Northwest folk revival (and therefore from what we’ve come to expect from the Gundersen family), instead offering five beautifully arranged tracks of piano, violin and cello. Gundersen says that the main aim of the record was to address society’s forward-thinking nature, to help the listener forget about what’s coming next and focus on what they have right now – something which she refers to as “the never-ending struggle to remain in the present”.
My current favourite track is ‘Farewell Summer’, which ends with (what sounds like) an old recording of The Public Garden, a poem by Robert Lowell. Have a listen below.
You can buy the EP over at Abby’s Bandcamp page.