The contemporary jazz trio Trio Elpo has released a new single titled “I Don’t Know Anything,” accompanied by a music video, as they advance toward the release of their debut studio album. The track serves as a preview of the upcoming full-length project titled Skaņu akvārijs (Sound Aquarium), marking a milestone for the ensemble.
Formed in 2016, Trio Elpo brings together three musicians and friends: Jānis Rubiks, Edgars Cīrulis, and Rūdolfs Dankfelds (as reported by TVNET). The group’s artistic identity rests on crossing genre boundaries, merging the openness of jazz with the depth of contemporary academic music and the energy of rock.
Below is a detailed look at the new single, the artistic philosophy behind it, and what lies ahead for the ensemble.
Exploring the ‘Beginner’s Mind’ Through Composition
The new single “I Don’t Know Anything” centers on the philosophical concept of the “beginner’s mind”—the ability to perceive the world without previous notions, judgments, and ready answers. Maintaining openness, curiosity, and playfulness remains vital to keeping a genuine connection to creative work.
“Sometimes a vast baggage of knowledge can become an obstacle to a genuine experience,” explains the track’s composer and the group’s double bassist Jānis Rubiks, in an interview published by TVNET. Rubiks notes that thoughts, ideas, and notions about things often replace a direct encounter with them. “Writing this piece, it was important for me to remind myself and the listeners that not everything needs to be understood. Sometimes it is enough just to be present and listen with your heart.”
Musically, the trio is characterized by expansive, meditative soundscapes, dynamic rhythm structures, and intuitive interplay among the three members.
Visual Artistry and the Upcoming Debut Album
The release of “I Don’t Know Anything” is paired with a music video directed by Alise Golovacka. The director and cinematographer’s visual approach seeks to mirror the song’s core themes of presence, unmediated experience, and the capacity to be here and now.
The single acts as a precursor to Trio Elpo’s debut full-length album, Skaņu akvārijs. The upcoming record will collect original music developed by the ensemble over recent years. Over the years, the trio has performed in Latvia, Germany, Lithuania, and Norway, collaborated with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, and shared the stage with artists including John Ruocco, Julie Silvera, and Rokas Zubovas (as noted by TVNET).
As the band puts the finishing touches on Skaņu akvārijs, listeners can stream the new single and view the accompanying video online.