Anna Butterss, John Raymond and Ben Lumsdaine Release 'Beginningless'

Bassist Anna Butterss, trumpeter John Raymond and drummer Ben Lumsdaine release their collaborative album 'Beginningless' today through Northern Spy Records. Its lead single, "Serene," distills the record's method into a concise, atmospheric performance built entirely in real time.

The trio wrote no elaborate arrangements. Instead, they improvised together in the studio, following melodies, rhythms and unexpected ideas wherever those ideas led.

"Serene" carries one governing intention. Lumsdaine recalls the three musicians deciding, before recording the piece, simply to pursue beauty. Raymond's expressive trumpet leads. Butterss' intuitive bass and Lumsdaine's imaginative percussion support him. Recording engineer Rob Shelton became a fourth creative participant, using studio processing to introduce shifting textures as the trio played.

It is the kind of collaboration where listening becomes just as important as playing.

How was the album made?

The musicians recorded 'Beginningless' over two days at Altamira Sound in Los Angeles. They improvised more than 400 minutes of material, then selected the performances that captured the most compelling moments of their musical conversation. The recordings feature minimal overdubbing, which keeps the spontaneity of the performances intact.

The shared history behind the project runs deep. Butterss and Lumsdaine first met in 2010 at Indiana University. Their paths continued crossing through performances, collaborations and friendships before the trio formally came together in 2024.

Who are the three musicians?

Each member brings an established record of work across genres.

• Butterss has performed with Phoebe Bridgers, Jason Isbell, Andrew Bird, Makaya McCraven and Jeff Parker. She has also built an acclaimed solo catalogue and plays with the improvisational group SML.
• Raymond has established himself as an adventurous contemporary jazz trumpeter. He has collaborated with S. Carey of Bon Iver and released nine albums as a bandleader.
• Lumsdaine's work as a drummer, engineer and producer includes projects with Durand Jones, Wishy, Natalie Bergman and Sylvan Esso.

Together they fold an unusually wide range of influences into 'Beginningless.'

What does the album sound like?

The record draws inspiration from two sources: the atmospheric musical explorations of Jon Hassell and the improvisational approach of Fly, the trio featuring Mark Turner, Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard. Its sound combines acoustic instruments with electronic effects, producing a nocturnal landscape of glowing trumpet melodies, elastic rhythms and intricate interplay.

The album, in the words of its announcement, celebrates "the wonderful possibilities of musicians discovering something together for the very first time," and its music rewards curiosity, attention and repeated listening.

With "Serene," Butterss, Raymond and Lumsdaine demonstrate that three musicians following a shared instinct can create something extraordinary. Listeners can now test that proposition in full: 'Beginningless' is available today through Northern Spy Records.