First Sounds, is the debut album from the trio comprised of cellist Rebecca Foon, violinist Sarah Neufeld, and multi-instrumentalist Richard Reed Parry, is set for release on November 1st. The artists met in Montreal during the late 1990s, where they were all involved in various projects. Over two years, they collaborated in various capacities. The LP features nine tracks, Each song combines their creative instrumentation. Parry reflects, “In Montreal, October 1999, we played music together for the first time. From the outset, our improvisation revealed a shared, intuitive musical language that felt both familiar and deeply resonant.”

Neufeld describes their new single “Circular” as exploring “plaintive ghosts. Three rivers of subconscious thought weaving through one another, picking up and leaving off through a dense fog and the long reeds. We search for hidden answers in the muck and the morning air, with bows gently scraping strings in a continuous cycle.”

Sarah Neufeld and Richard Reed Parry were both members of Arcade Fire, and Bell Orchestre. They have spent years writing, recording, and touring globally, establishing themselves as key figures in the music landscape.

Rebecca Foon, also a long-time fixture in the Montreal music community, has contributed significantly through her work as co-founder of the modern chamber post-rock ensemble Esmerine, as well as being part of Thee Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra and Set Fire To Flames. Recently, she has led her electro-acoustic project, Saltland.

Although each member has collaborated in various contexts over the years, they have never fully engaged as equal partners. They believe the bond they share as a trio—both as friends and musicians—remains unique and timeless. Now, 25 years later, they reunite to continue their journey, this time with the wind at their backs.

First Sounds is born from the global COVID-19 pandemic, a time that grounded the trio back in Montreal. Their shared memories triggered reflections on their earlier years and relationships, fostering a creative environment that informed their music. “It feels like we are watching our past on replay while simultaneously living in the present,” they express.

The album’s artwork is created by Olafur Eliasson, the acclaimed Icelandic–Danish artist renowned for his large-scale installations that employ elemental materials to enhance viewer experiences. Eliasson has exhibited at major global museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Venice Biennale.

Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry, and Rebecca Foon
First Sounds
Tracklist

1. Slow New Year
2. Duelling Flutters
3. Maria
4. Rosa Canina
5. Day Three
6. Clouding Clouds
7. First Sound
8. Circular
9. Georgia

Music credits

All songs written by Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry, and Rebecca Foon
Recorded at Dreamland Studios by Ariel Shafir. Additional recordings at Skybarn in Montréal by Pietro Amato
Produced by Shahzad Ismaily
Mixed by Pietro Amato
Sarah Neufeld: Violin, Vocals
Richard Reed Parry: Double Bass, Guitar, Drum Machines, Percussion, Vocals
Rebecca Foon: Cello, Vocals
Percussion on “Maria” by Shahzad Ismaily
Drums on “Day Three” by Andrew Barr
Mastered by Phil Gosselin at Le Lab

pre-order First Sounds HERE