Sml

SML formed as an improvisatory supergroup drawing five players from the Los Angeles indie, jazz, and experimental music communities. Their first album, Small Medium Large, appeared in 2024 on International Anthem and took shape from lengthy sessions of collective improvisation staged at the now-shuttered venue ETA; after the performances were captured in stereo by Bryce Gonzales, the musicians shaped the material further through editing and mixing that incorporated additional recordings made at home. The resulting sound echoes Krautrock and Afrobeat alongside post-punk and ambient techno.

The lineup comprises bassist Anna Butterss, synthesizer artist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, drummer/percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. Butterss and Johnson had already worked together in a quartet alongside guitarist Jeff Parker that appeared regularly at ETA, and the five musicians later convened for several more open-ended performances at the same room.