A follow up to The Philippe Lemm Trio 2018 Outside in Music Label debut “City Birds”, “First Steps” demonstrates the trio’s unique, dynamic voice that has developed after ten years of stellar creative output and consistent touring.

“First Steps” is centered around the bandleader’s background in dance. Lemm notes: “Before I played the drums I was a dancer, and in a way, I still feel like the drums are my expression of movement.” A reflection on the events of the past year, Lemm says “2020 felt like an uncertain choreography. We had to practice slow-dancing by ourselves and learn to maneuver without reference. It dictated its own movement and made us more aware of our fundamental need for one another and how much we desired our dance partners.”

Musically, “First Steps” draws inspiration from traditional folkloric dances and their rhythms while some songs take inspiration from reflections on life and the events of the past year.