Triptic: eclectic, energetic and thoroughly intoxicating

From the fertile ashes of the legendary Moishe’s Bagel rises a thrilling new trio: Triptic. Eclectic, energetic and thoroughly intoxicating, Triptic dive deep into a fertile melting pot of folk influences and global sounds on their soon-to-be-released debut.

A triptych, of course, is a work of art in three parts – an apt name for the trio of Greg Lawson (fiddle and mandolin), Phil Alexander (piano and accordion) and Mario Caribé (guitar and bass) – who came together following Moishe’s Bagel’s final concert in 2022. After a suggestion by the Edinburgh-based Soundhouse project, Lawson, Alexander and Caribé reunited for a gig at the Edinburgh Festival in 2023 (then performing under the moniker The Band with No Name). Since then, they’ve adopted a new moniker, and the enthusiasm for the Triptic sound has exploded.

Characteristic of the Triptic trio is their tight instrumentation and lively sense of rhythm. Melodies sweep, tease and dance a taut, vibrant sound while the groovy mix of global folk, Latin vibes and jazz keeps listeners on their toes (metaphorically and literally).

The Triptic sound is elating: a joyful, soul-warming celebration of the rich heritage and individuality of musics from around the world. It also revels in the pure delight of three award-winning musicians and friends making music together. As Greg explains, the collaborative writing process is a direction they are keen to explore: “This is where I think the group is going to really find a style that belongs to us alone as a trio, and it’s a journey we are all now finally excited about.”

However, the legacy of Moishe’s Bagel is still palpably evident – the trio’s new sound builds on the previous project’s adventurous and exploratory spirit, weaving dark Armenian melodies, Northumbrian folk tunes and Brazilian tangos into their music, as well as its sweaty, enthusiastic and playful approach.

“There’s definitely a flavour of Moishe’s Bagel,” notes Greg, “but it’s somehow more agile and spontaneous. We can change our minds about the shape of the piece we are playing mid-concert and head off into improvising sections to discover new dialogues between us. We can still get pretty wild though and the speed and intent is still a powerful part of our style, though slower numbers have even more space in them and that’s a new colour landscape to explore.”

The trio’s debut album (to be announced soon) was recorded in a single take and will launch in early August 2025 at Edinburgh’s The Hub, as part of Edinburgh International Festival. It promises to be a truly exhilarating evening, featuring new compositions by the trio, Argentinian tangos from the pen of Astor Piazzolla, traditional tunes from the British Isles and Eastern Europe, and even a few Bagel pieces that never quite got an airing first time around.