The Count’s, a little jazz-leaning music venue that lights up Monash University’s Clayton campus after dark, is a long way from Bulgaria.
For jazz pianist David Dower, it’s the former where he’s headed this August to launch his exceptional latest album, Sonder. The latter, on the other hand, is where he’s been — a lot. That means five tours and four records, in fact.
On Sonder — recorded in Bulgaria — he marries his affinity for traditional Bulgarian songs with unabashed fuzz-bass-loving inspiration from Ben Folds. Sonder, a mix of ambient Bulgarian songcraft, Bulgarian lyrics, and pounding piano lines, has been a revelation for Dower, who says he’s becoming increasingly aware of what his collaborators (including Bulgarian lyricist, Mariana Vasileva) can bring to the table.
At The Count’s, Dower gets to test out his recorded music on the venue’s grand piano, with David Dower Trio (bass, guitar, drums) in tow, along with three Australian vocalists who sing in Bulgarian.
David Dower Trio with Bulgarian Voices – Sonder Album Launch
- When: Wednesday 6 August 2025, 7:30pm
- Where: The Count’s, Monash University Performing Arts Centres, Clayton
- Tickets: Here
Check out our gig guide here.
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London Blues and Soul Magazine said your playing is “instantly recognisable.” What do you think makes your music most distinctive?
Haha! That was very sweet of them to say! I suppose they’re describing the blending of a wide variety of musical elements that make up our albums…. I love lots of music, and draw inspiration from things like jazz piano, singer-songwriters, alt-rock, piano rock, and, perhaps confusingly, Bulgarian traditional music. Hearing these styles together isn’t a common combination, but that has been the goal (and the fun) of this project!
Within original jazz and contemporary music categories, what are a few examples of some sub-genres or styles that you think help represent what your music is about?
There’s definitely a range of influences; one that I can’t ignore is the influence of Ben Folds… his inspiration is pretty overt — from piano techniques to melodies to distorted fuzz bass; which I love.
I love bands like the Bad Plus and Brad Mehldau. These jazz artists routinely put their creative spin on well-known contemporary songs, reframing them in a fresh light. We try and do the same with the covers that we tackle in the band, asking the big questions like, “What if ‘Take On Me’ was a Latin song?”
Bulgarian music is a big influence for me. I find its unique dance rhythms, and crunchy vocal harmonies, open up a world of opportunity for me as a musician and a composer. It’s otherworldly, and so satisfying. To assimilate elements of this ancient music and reframe it through my musical tastes is really exciting.
You completed your Master’s at WAAPA in 2015, focusing on solo jazz piano and exploring alternative performance techniques drawn from other genres and instruments. How did that research change the way you think about composition, performance, or even identity as a musician?
It was very eye-opening for me! I think until that point, I was probably a bit myopically focused on the piano itself, so this experience challenged me to consider the piano from other angles. How would a guitar play that part? Can I assimilate a drumbeat onto the keys? It was challenging and fun.
I think this helped with the assimilation of Bulgarian music into my playing. Playing music is a complex combination of the mental, physical, and emotional. To changes one’s mindset about music is a big deal — to adjust a lifetime’s worth of muscle memory is even harder! Maintaining an open mind to all sorts of music and musical experiences is what keeps it exciting!
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What’s something that Sonder has in common with your previous albums, and in what ways does it feel like a departure?
Thematically, I feel Sonder has been a step forward from my previous albums. The Bulgarian influence is still hugely present, the fuzz-bass still appears as decreed by Ben Folds, but I think my songwriting in this style has developed significantly. The songs feel more emotionally precise and direct, and I think every time I record with this band I feel more and more aware of what these amazing musicians can bring to the table.
Sonder was recorded during your fifth tour of Bulgaria. Was there a reason you chose to record the album while on tour, rather than separating the two?
I like recording on tour. The band was able to run the songs in a few gigs before we got in the studio, which meant we could literally road-test everything, and we felt pretty comfortable playing the songs in the studio. Recording on site in Bulgaria is also a pretty powerful experience. Having access to the incredible Bulgarian singers and instrumentalists provides an incredibly authentic touch to the songs as well.
Did the touring context influence the record?
I think every time we return to Bulgaria we learn more and more about the culture, the people, and the music, and this helps shape the music. The direct feedback of working with the local musicians in the studio teaches me so much about their approach to rhythm and harmony!
You’ve toured Bulgaria five times and recorded four albums there. How did this connection begin, and what is it about Bulgaria that keeps drawing you back?
When I was living in London, the band learnt a traditional Bulgarian wedding song for fun, as a bit of a musical challenge. We found we really enjoyed it, and joked about booking a gig there. That night, I messaged some venues in Bulgaria on Facebook, and the next morning I had replies asking when we were coming over.
At our first gig in Bulgaria, we made friends with a woman who said she could get us on to a festival… low-and-behold, a year later, we found ourselves at the Bansko International Jazz Festival, an event that was televised on Bulgarian National Television, and is on Youtube. From there, the connection has just snowballed quite naturally!
Bulgaria is an incredible place that I’ve truly fallen in love with. There are incredible listening audiences, a very strong and creative local music scene, and all set in a stunning location where Eastern European and Middle Eastern culture cross in a fascinating way.
What are you most looking forward to about the show at The Count’s?
I love The Count’s. It’s a huge addition to the scene in Melbourne; an incredible sound system, stunning grand piano, a very comfortable room to enjoy music, great bar and food, and easy (and free) parking. I can’t sing its praises enough! It’s always a blast to perform there.
What’s on the horizon for the rest of 2025?
After The Count’s, I’ll take the show across to Perth to do a launch gig over at the Ellington Jazz Club. Then I’ll start hitting up festivals and venues for another Bulgaria tour in 2026, with plans for another album! Lots to look forward to.
David Dower Trio with Bulgarian Voices – Sonder Album Launch — takes place at The Count’s on Wednesday August 6. Get tickets here.
This article was made in partnership with The Count’s.
