divr is a trio consisting of Philipp Eden (piano), Raphael Walser (bass), and Jonas Ruther (drums). Their practice is based on real-time composing, where the strengths and idiosyncrasies of each individual player are channeled and amplified in the process. In other words, their music is based around the exploration of sonic interdependencies, framed by the practice of mindfulness and deep listening. The group revels in the beauty of risk taking and human fallacy — in music and life. Their playing is multi-directional and always in accord with the specifics of space and temporality, which includes the specific frequency of an audience. Interfacing with divr is like playing with liquid mercury. The substance morphs continuously; it can be fragmented, but it never loses its fundamental qualities. In the case of diver, these qualities are a flowing and interweaving rhythmicism, Wong-Kar Wei-like moods of different shades and intensities; and the feeling that you, as a listener, are privy to a heartfelt conversation.
press
Although this is indeed a jazz record, the original compositions and choices of covers extends beyond into trip-hop and the downbeat breaks territory of artists like Ju$ufa and J Dilla.
– Monolith Cocktail
divr’s music heads in a direction of its own, using conversational improvisation as a means for sketching instant composition and infectious grooves. It feels that divr has established its sound and dynamics – spontaneous, organic and bold simultaneously. The trio focuses on an exploration of sonic interdependencies and differences, framed by the practice of deep listening.
Salt Peanuts
Ist es also eher Jazz oder Avantgarde? Ist es ein Vogel oder ein Fisch? Ich weiß es nicht, aber es schwimmt und fliegt, gibt uns Melodien und sprengt alles im Handumdrehen in Stücke. Es muss also divr sein.
DESIBELI - Mika Roth
You won’t find a stronger enchantment than Is This Water.
Best Jazz on Band Camp, February 24
It’s absurd how good Swiss trio divr is at playing this music.
Down Beat Magazine
It makes for a thrilling highlight of a charming jazz album that is both easy to listen to and intricate, yet never, ever garish.
The Quietus
Zusammen bilden die Elemente einen Sound, der sich persönlich, organisch und gleichzeitig zukunftsweisend anfühlt.
Madmimi
Die Dringlichkeit erinnert an die Frühen The Bad Plus.
Jazz Thing, April 24
Is This Water, with all its mystery, evidences the arrival of a compelling new piano trio on the 21st century jazz scene.
ALL Music
Lao Tzu saying tells us, "Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it" and you'll feel no resistance to the divr sound.
You and the night and the music
Oh, the wind will come, und vielleicht wehts dann die Musik von divr rein, diesem Trio mit Philipp Eden am Klavier, Raphael Walser am Bass und Jonas Ruther am Schlagzeug, das offene und sehr neugierige und auch sehr zarte Miniaturen spielt. Und eben: Broadcasts «Echo's Answer» – und viele Nebel sind weg.