SIAPIAU [Form] fand zusammen durch den Spaß, den der Liverpooler Saxer & Flötist Phil Hargreaves mit Maggie Nicols geteilt hat in der Frakture Big Band 1999, bei ihrem Duett „Human“ 2012 und im Spiel mit noch Fran Bass am E-Bass 2021 bei Nicols' Improv-„Ga­thering“ in Drefach Felindre – daher der walisische Name. Und durch seine Vertrautheit, seit The Dislocation Sermon 2001, mit Richard Harrison, Drummer bei The Honkies, Spaceheads, Stereolab und ihren aktuellen Trios Bloodcog und Malchamech. Pi (Discus 161 CD) ist ihr Lobgesang auf die göttliche 3,14..., mit der sich Eckiges ins Rollen bringen und allzu Quadratschädliges auf den Kopf stellen lässt. Im Tanz mit Dionysos, mit Reiß­zähnen ('Feasting with Panthers'). Mit Schwitters ziehen sie den Unsinn vor, nicht ohne überkandidelt eingesponnener Lebensweisheit. Nicols wechselt als spleenige Mum zwi­schen Sprechgesang, Glossolalie und Katzenpfotenkeys, Hargreaves zwischen Flöte, Soprano, übersprudelndem Tenorsax, die Tracks zwischen 1:02 und 10:12, groovy, ver­träumt oder durchgeknallt. Mit 'Music for Hands' als geklatschtem, geklopftem Dada, im orgeligen Schwof mit Baumnymphen ('Hamadryad'). Nicht bloß im Zwischenspiel ('Anyer­liwt'), sondern durchwegs bespielen die vier das Feld zwischen Non und Sense. A cappella und schönheitstrunken besingen sie den Tanz mit 'October Butterflies', als letzte ihrer Art. Wer hilft, den knittrigen Horizont als Saite zu spannen, so dass er wieder klingt? - Rigobert Dittmann, BAD ALCHEMY [BA 121 rbd]

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SIAPIAU [Form] came together through the fun that Liverpool saxophone and flautist Phil Hargreaves 
shared with Maggie Nicols in the Frakture Big Band in 1999, in their duet “Human” in 2012 and in 
playing with Fran Bass on electric bass in 2021 Nicols' improv “gathering” in Drefach Felindre – 
hence the Welsh name. And through his familiarity, since The Dislocation Sermon in 2001, with 
Richard Harrison, drummer for The Honkies, Spaceheads, Stereolab and their current trios Bloodcog
 and Malchamech. Pi (Discus 161 CD) is her hymn to the divine 3.14..., with which angular things 
can be set in motion and what is too square can be turned upside down. In the dance with Dionysus, 
with fangs ('Feasting with Panthers'). Like Schwitters, they prefer nonsense, not without 
exaggerated wisdom. As the whimsical Mum, Nicols switches between chanting, glossolalia and 
cat's paw keys, Hargreaves between flute, soprano and effervescent tenor sax, the tracks 
between 1:02 and 10:12, groovy, dreamy or crazy. With 'Music for Hands' as a clapped, tapped Dada, 
in the organ-like Schwof with tree nymphs ('Hamadryad'). Not just in the interlude ('Anyerliwt'), 
but throughout, the four play the field between Non and Sense. A cappella and drunk on beauty, 
they sing about the dance with 'October Butterflies', the last of their kind. Who will help to 
stretch the wrinkled horizon as a string so that it sounds again?
 - Rigobert Dittmann, BAD ALCHEMY [BA 121 rbd]

Disclaimer: Siapiau's Richard Harrison isn't the same one who plays with Stereolab, btw.



**SIAPIAU
 **[prononcez ‘sha-pea-eye’, mot gallois pour ‘formes’] est le nouveau 
projet de 4 improvisateurs qui jouent ensemble -sous différentes 
configurations- depuis plus de 20 ans : Fran Bass, Phil Hargreaves, 
Richard Harrison et Maggie Nicols. Chacun d’entre eux joue plusieurs 
instruments + la voix.
Leur album « **π **» (pi) est avant tout un album de jazz qui nous emmène 
parfois sur des rythmes endiablés. Mais il y a aussi des choses plus 
expérimentales, des effets de voix, des textes dits sur un fond musical ;
 et aussi ce curieux « Music for hands » interprété uniquement … à mains
 nues !
Guy Stuckens

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10225909412736692&set=g.126927510949

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SIAPIAU [pronounced 'sha-pea-eye', Welsh word for 'shapes'] is the new project of 4 improvisers who have been playing together - in different configurations - for over 20 years: Fran Bass, Phil Hargreaves, Richard Harrison and Maggie Nicols . Each of them plays several instruments + voice. Their album “π” (pi) is above all a jazz album which sometimes takes us to wild rhythms. But there are also more experimental things, voice effects, texts spoken against a musical background; and also this curious “Music for hands” performed only… with bare hands!

Siapiau, is Welsh for “shapes” as the four members of the band attempt to create shapes in the air out of apparently nothing. And so weave their improvisational spell so to speak.

The band came together in September 2021, at a gathering for improvisation musicians in South Wales. Hence the Welsh name. Phil hargreaves had known Maggie Nicols for a few years but it was the Welsh connection that cemented the idea for this project .

All members of the band have a vocal credit on the album. So we could be confident in describing it as linguistically driven ( there’s poetry in it )

The band are Maggie Nicols, Voice, Keyboard, Phil hargreaves Tenor Sax, Flute, voice Richard Harrison, Drums / Percussion, Voice Fran, Bass, you guessed it voice. All play little instruments but we are unfortunately left to ponder what they might be .

The album that’s presented within, has distinct neo dada connentations. With titles like Approximately Diagonal; and feasting with Panthers The vocal presentations by Maggie Nicols have a distinct nod and a wink to the dada poetry of Kurt Schwitters .

The first track “In Eternam” begins in a poetic manner, with a serious free jazz intervention by Phil hargreaves after the first few minutes. This, though, adds to the sense of musical play on the album. And from that. moving the recording away from just another free jazz excursion

I feel, listening to this recording, I’m miraculously taken back in time. To 1973, rather than 2023. The music produced by Siapiau transports you to a different musical world. That of the experimental seventies. A time of political rock or jazz. The music produced by some at this time would be a hotchpotch of poetry, jazz and music concrete.

Album review by Rob Harrison

https://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/reviews/siapiau-pi-161cd-2023/

https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/on-air/meg-woof-presents-adventures-in-sound-and-music-69696