Circlons new EP features vocalists From The Bellrays, Urinals, and more
Eclectic pop-punk band the Circlons is set to release their debut EP titled, When Only the Music Is Pretty, on Friday, October 7, 2022. The recording features a different vocalist on each track including blues-punk icon Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays; former Matador Records artist Barbara Manning; John Talley-Jones of Urinals/100 Flowers; and Adam Marsland of Cockeyed Ghost.
Circlons is the brainchild of Los Angeles punk scene veteran Kjehl Johansen, renowned founding member of the Urinals/100 Flowers and Trotsky Icepick. Band members include Steve Andrews (The Last) on rhythm and lead guitar, Hunter Crowley (Trotsky Icepick, The Last, Brian Jonestown Massacre) on drums, and Tom Hofer (The Last, Leaving Trains, Trotsky Icepick) on bass. Collaboration is at the core of the recordings. Despite the wide range of musical styles presented, the strong band dynamic gives the material an undeniably cohesive sound.
“I was thrilled to sing on what became an unpredictable record, “says Lisa Kekaula (The Bellrays, Basement Jaxx, The Crystal Method). She goes on to say, “I rarely listen to finished releases after my contribution, but on this one, I enjoyed every song.”
John Talley-Jones (Urinals) says, “I’m typically averse to singing other people’s lyrics, but ‘I Wanna Be On Your Radio (Not In Your Arms)’ allowed me to engage my inner (and sometimes overt) Snarkenstein in service of an energetic and mocking put-down pop song.
In describing the creative process, Johansen states: “I’ve known and played with the members of Circlons for years. We’ve really developed a trust and rapport that allows us to push the music in a lot of different directions. As a songwriter and producer, that was a gift. I could write songs that focused on the strengths of four very different, and talented vocalists, and my band was there to help me pull it all together. I couldn’t have asked for a better creative experience.”
When Only the Music Is Pretty begins with the up-tempo pop-rock song “I Wanna Be On Your Radio (Not In Your Arms).” John Talley-Jones delivers a vocal performance that is chock full of attitude and passion on this track which describes the dark underbelly of the music business. Adam Marsland of Cockeyed Ghost sings on the title track about landslides and earthquakes in Los Angeles, set against the beauty of a string quartet. Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays lends her strong and soulful voice to the second to last track “Blue Cheer.” The EP concludes with an extended improvisation piece with spoken word by former Matador recording artist Barbara Manning. Additional live vocalists include Kristi Callan of Wednesday Week/Narrow Adventure, and solo artist Hope Levy.
Each song on the project has a different musical inspiration that ranges from pop-punk, blues funk, ’60s cinematic pop, to Kraut-Rock-inspired free-form improvisation. The music will appeal to fans of the Buzzcocks, The Bellrays, Scott Walker, and Can. The EP was produced by Kjehl Johansen and Hunter Crowley with co-production by Steve Andrews in Los Angeles. This four-song release precedes their upcoming full-length studio album.
Track listing: 1. I Wanna Be On Your Radio (Not In Your Arms)2. When Only the Music Is Pretty3. Blue Cheer4. Moon Over Babaluma
Line-up:
Kjehl Johansen (Urinals/100 Flowers, Trotsky Icepick) on guitar Steve Andrews (The Last) on rhythm and lead guitar Hunter Crowley (Trotsky Icepick, The Last, Brian Jonestown Massacre) on drums Tom Hofer (The Last, Leaving Trains, Trotsky Icepick) on bass Links:
