Elysian Fields

Elysian Fields, Australia’s only electric viola da gamba band, was formed in 2015 by leading viola da gambist, Jenny Eriksson, and jazz musicians Matt Keegan and Matt McMahon. The unique 6-piece (electric viola da gamba, voice/violin, sax, bass, piano and drums) is an ongoing experiment in creating new improvised and composed repertoire for the electric viola da gamba. The group has appeared at the Sydney Women’s International Jazz Festival, Vivid New Music at The Con, the Blue Mountains Hub and regularly at jazz and classical festivals venues across Australia. Their performance at Foundry616 in 2017 that premiered Matt McMahon’s major song cycle, 'What should I say', was noted in the Sydney Morning Herald, January 2018, as one of critic John Shand’s 2017 'surprise packets.' Elysian Fields were the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Associate Artists in Residence at Fine Music Sydney (FM 102.5). The band performed at the Canowindra Baroque Music Festival in 2019 and at New England Bach Festival in 2025. Their debut CD, 'What should I say' is Australia’s first electric viola da gamba CD and met with wide critical acclaim. In July 2020 the band released their second CD, 'Fika' (pron. 'fee-ka). Fika documents Elysian Fields' Scandinavian Project and consists of music from, and inspired by, Scandinavia. A third album, Swirling Flame, was released in October 2025.