Presences of Absences

The intention behind Presences of Absences has been to make something real and unbiased, an honest effort at reproducing Asva's nature as a band, and as individuals. Not "heavy" in the traditional sense, but emotive and powerful - not quirky, not elusive or exclusive, but a different breed entirely. Presences of Absences is about sincerity, goodwill, and compassion; honesty, hard work and, in the deepest sense, thanks and reflection at the end of the day. It's a discussion in music utilizing traditional elements (liturgical, plain chant, tintinnabuli musics, folk and gospel musics, acoustic organ and wind instruments) and contemporary electric instrumentation and playing methods to explore our shared origins, our pasts presents and futures and the common thread passing through our relationships to all of it. Presences of Absences is a big work.

--G. Stuart Dahlquist, Feb. 2011