New wave and classical music are not phrases traditionally used in the same sentence. Kupka's Piano is here to change that.

“There's a perception that you've got to have Conservatorium training or at least some kind of classical music background to enjoy this. Ironically the die-hard classical artists don't really like this music so we're damned both ways,” says composer Liam Flenady.

Formed in early 2012, this ensemble takes stereotypical classical music and gives it a fresh twist in the hope of attracting a more diverse audience to this style of music.

“Kupka's Piano is about looking for young composers who are looking at the trends in the last 20 years and just going 'yeah I like that, I like that but I don't like this. What if we combined these things and did it in another way?' and then coming up with different synthesised approaches.”

Set to play at the Judith Wright Centre in two weeks in the third instalment of their 'Where In The World Is Kupka's Piano?' series, they will be collaborating with a German ensemble for a performance of new Italian music.

“I've been looking forward to this project all year since we got the JUMP Mentorship grant because the ensemble we're working with, Ensemble Interface from Germany, are some of the most amazing young musicians that I know and this is just a rare opportunity.”

Completely aware that the music they make is not traditional — rather then rejecting being labelled 'niche' — they have embraced it and used it to their advantage.

 “I suppose you have to be honest, it is going to be a niche thing. But that's fine, a lot of pop music today is niche. Once you get outside of the heavily corporatised mainstream and into a lot of the independent stuff, it is niche and it's a matter of finding and building an audience.”

They have incredible drive and relish the challenge writing and performing this style of music presents.

“It's impossible to make great music, but there's this tantalising possibility that lives on the other side of impossibility that keeps driving you. That challenge is the tantalising part of it all and you might just find a gem. As a composer I want to do that, I don't think I have yet but I want to.”

With plans to travel overseas next year, alongside a strong focus on collaborations with different ensembles, Kupka’s Piano have a busy year ahead of them.

“We're doing the USA next and probably a little bit of South America too. We really want to focus a lot more on collaborations and we're collaborating with Ensemble Offspring from Sydney. We're all applying for festivals and for overseas tours and all sorts of things so it seems like it's going to be a busy year next year.”

Bringing classical music to a modern environment is a challenge that Kupka’s Piano have immersed themselves in and they embrace the opportunity to break the stereotypical conventions associated with their style of music.

“There aren't any pre-given responses that you're supposed to have for it, it completely fucks with any possible kind of convention. So what we really want to say is 'you don't need any kind of classical background because it's more about how this is art'. Think of when you go to the art gallery, you don't need to have been a painter to be able to appreciate what you saw.”

Kupka’s Piano performs 'To Roam With Love' at The Judith Wright Centre from September 27-28.