shapes and monsters is an international collaborative improvisation project with two members in barcelona and two members in chicago. diego caicedo and gabriel millan play in snorkel quintet and etermortifera among others. reid karris is a solo improviser and member of step slow. keith helt is a member of catholic witches.

their first album, chkm, was improvised recorded between november 2011 and february 2013. tracks were sent back and forth. limited takes were allowed in order to maintain an improvised feeling/aesthetic.