Traveling Circle – Escape From Black Cloud (2012) review & interview
Traveling Circle was formed around 2006.
Trio of musicians from Brooklyn New York combine many different genres. From
soft hypnotic melodies to heavier songs. Their influences come from obscure
psych gems to anything they find interesting enough. Back in 2010 they released
on a German based label Nasoni an LP called “Handmade House”, which was a
wonderful blend of psychedelia and heavier parts. They have just released a
brand new album called “Escape From Black Cloud”. Tell us guys, what the title
means to you?
Trio of musicians from Brooklyn New York combine many different genres. From
soft hypnotic melodies to heavier songs. Their influences come from obscure
psych gems to anything they find interesting enough. Back in 2010 they released
on a German based label Nasoni an LP called “Handmade House”, which was a
wonderful blend of psychedelia and heavier parts. They have just released a
brand new album called “Escape From Black Cloud”. Tell us guys, what the title
means to you?
Josh: It means let’s get out of here!!!
By the way, thanks very much for giving us
the chance to discuss our record on “It’s Psychedelic Baby!”
the chance to discuss our record on “It’s Psychedelic Baby!”
Dylan: We were trying to come up with the
name over some steins at Radergast Beer Hall in Brooklyn and this one came out
of nowhere. We just thought it had a nice ring. It sort of has that Native
American vibe and seems to tell a story.
name over some steins at Radergast Beer Hall in Brooklyn and this one came out
of nowhere. We just thought it had a nice ring. It sort of has that Native
American vibe and seems to tell a story.
Charlie: I’m not totally sure but didn’t
this come from a dream you had Josh? Those giant beers make for a foggy memory.
this come from a dream you had Josh? Those giant beers make for a foggy memory.
Josh: An ecstatic fever dream!
What would you say is the main difference
between your “Handmade House” and “Escape From Black Cloud”? You told in the
interview we did, that “Handmade House” is the first chapter of Traveling
Circle. All the songs were chosen by Carola, who is the owner of Nasoni Records
in Berlin. Now, I think with the second LP out you became more specifically
directed into certain direction. What do you think? What can you tell us about
writing and recording your latest LP?
between your “Handmade House” and “Escape From Black Cloud”? You told in the
interview we did, that “Handmade House” is the first chapter of Traveling
Circle. All the songs were chosen by Carola, who is the owner of Nasoni Records
in Berlin. Now, I think with the second LP out you became more specifically
directed into certain direction. What do you think? What can you tell us about
writing and recording your latest LP?
Josh: Yes, Carola picked the tracks for
Handmade House from two studio sessions we did with Mitch Rackin at Seaside
Lounge in Brooklyn. I am really happy with her choices though and I think it is
a better record for her editing. We are so happy to work with Nasoni. There are
some gems that didn’t make the album though. We would really like to get out a
single called “Tie A Bow.” We still play it. I agree with you on the
direction of the new record. I think with this record we get into some really
pure territory in terms of our sound. I love the first record too though.
Handmade House from two studio sessions we did with Mitch Rackin at Seaside
Lounge in Brooklyn. I am really happy with her choices though and I think it is
a better record for her editing. We are so happy to work with Nasoni. There are
some gems that didn’t make the album though. We would really like to get out a
single called “Tie A Bow.” We still play it. I agree with you on the
direction of the new record. I think with this record we get into some really
pure territory in terms of our sound. I love the first record too though.
Dylan: Carola gave us complete autonomy on
the second album. We handed her the tracks and she really didn’t have any
issues with what we put on the table. It all seemed to gel quite easily. In
terms of our writing process, it was all pretty natural. We just went with what
we were feeling. We wanted to capture that moment of discovery on tape, as it
happened. It isn’t terribly overwritten or tampered with. It’s just true to
what came out in the moment. As a general rule, I prefer to keep fussiness out
of the equation.
the second album. We handed her the tracks and she really didn’t have any
issues with what we put on the table. It all seemed to gel quite easily. In
terms of our writing process, it was all pretty natural. We just went with what
we were feeling. We wanted to capture that moment of discovery on tape, as it
happened. It isn’t terribly overwritten or tampered with. It’s just true to
what came out in the moment. As a general rule, I prefer to keep fussiness out
of the equation.
Charlie: We had a less is more approach on
Escape From Black Cloud. I think there was an underlying consensus to keep
things simple and succinct but the process of working out the songs was all
very loose.
Escape From Black Cloud. I think there was an underlying consensus to keep
things simple and succinct but the process of working out the songs was all
very loose.
I believe, the cover artwork was made again
by your friend and artists Erin Klauk, right?
by your friend and artists Erin Klauk, right?
Josh: Yes, Erin did the cover for this one
too. I love it! We also have photography from Alexandra Zorbas-Maiden on the
back cover and insert poster. We rely heavily on our talented pals!
too. I love it! We also have photography from Alexandra Zorbas-Maiden on the
back cover and insert poster. We rely heavily on our talented pals!
Charlie: They’re the best!
I don’t want to go into details regarding
the songs. I think it’s to hard to talk about individual pieces. Tracks
probably represent just pure joy and creativity of Traveling Circle with no
special meaning or leds to concept…
the songs. I think it’s to hard to talk about individual pieces. Tracks
probably represent just pure joy and creativity of Traveling Circle with no
special meaning or leds to concept…
I find the band getting into much more
darker approach in writing songs. Would you agree or am I wrong? Is there any
special cause to this change or it all just came naturally.
darker approach in writing songs. Would you agree or am I wrong? Is there any
special cause to this change or it all just came naturally.
Josh: Escape From Black Cloud definitely
has a darker sound. For starters, Dylan brought in some really fantastic
material and that is sort of the core of this record. I approached my drums
from a different angle as well. Maybe a little less fill driven in favor
instead of generating a pulse. Sort of based on Spacemen 3 guitar effects. Like
a Vox Repeat Percussion effect but drums. Charlie always has a very musical
approach so I focused more on providing a pulse and building a frame. I think
by the time we had these songs somewhat polished it was clear it had a darker
feel. We approached the recording with that pretty well established. It is
certainly a more bass heavy and darker mix. My first inclination is usually
that bass would be low in the mix, sort of as the foundation, but here Charlie
is fairly up front and it really adds to the feel of this record. The whole
thing is pretty reverby and delay heavy. This one is a real spacey head pumper!
has a darker sound. For starters, Dylan brought in some really fantastic
material and that is sort of the core of this record. I approached my drums
from a different angle as well. Maybe a little less fill driven in favor
instead of generating a pulse. Sort of based on Spacemen 3 guitar effects. Like
a Vox Repeat Percussion effect but drums. Charlie always has a very musical
approach so I focused more on providing a pulse and building a frame. I think
by the time we had these songs somewhat polished it was clear it had a darker
feel. We approached the recording with that pretty well established. It is
certainly a more bass heavy and darker mix. My first inclination is usually
that bass would be low in the mix, sort of as the foundation, but here Charlie
is fairly up front and it really adds to the feel of this record. The whole
thing is pretty reverby and delay heavy. This one is a real spacey head pumper!
Charlie: We’ve always had a dark element to
our music and we drifted more in that direction while working on these songs. I
don’t think it was a conscious decision but once we recognized that we were
headed that way we embraced it.
our music and we drifted more in that direction while working on these songs. I
don’t think it was a conscious decision but once we recognized that we were
headed that way we embraced it.
We think, the second album is even better
than the first one and much more original and shows some interesting ideas you
should explore more. For those who enjoy classic psychedelia with some modern
touches and perhaps some heavier parts this album will be a killer. How are you
guys satisfied with the result?
than the first one and much more original and shows some interesting ideas you
should explore more. For those who enjoy classic psychedelia with some modern
touches and perhaps some heavier parts this album will be a killer. How are you
guys satisfied with the result?
Charlie: I’m glad you like it! I’m very
happy with this one. I think we were able to solidify our own distinct style.
happy with this one. I think we were able to solidify our own distinct style.
Dylan: Escape From Black Cloud demonstrates
a new level of maturity both in our sound and in the way we write together. We
explored many new environments and melodic textures. It may not be apparent to
others, but for me, this album has many underlying dimensions of
experimentation. On the surface it may seem to be a nod to the classics. But we
are anything but blatant, as this album contains many cosmic accents that allude
to the future.
a new level of maturity both in our sound and in the way we write together. We
explored many new environments and melodic textures. It may not be apparent to
others, but for me, this album has many underlying dimensions of
experimentation. On the surface it may seem to be a nod to the classics. But we
are anything but blatant, as this album contains many cosmic accents that allude
to the future.
Josh: Thanks! I love it! It is the sort of
record I always wanted to be part of. I think there might be a thing or two I
would change if we had unlimited resources, but unlimited resources could just
as easily ruin a record too. I hope people will check it out. I think we are
all proud of it and we enjoyed making it together.
record I always wanted to be part of. I think there might be a thing or two I
would change if we had unlimited resources, but unlimited resources could just
as easily ruin a record too. I hope people will check it out. I think we are
all proud of it and we enjoyed making it together.
For the end I’d like to ask you if there
will be any tour in support of the new LP?
will be any tour in support of the new LP?
Josh: We have listening parties coming up
in New York, Sydney and San Francisco. San Francisco is set for Sunday,
February 10th at Laszlo on Mission between 22nd and 21st Streets. We played on
the West Coast for the first time recently. We would really like to do a larger
tour and especially to come to Europe. If any somewhat more known bands want to
have us along let us know! If we could get a few festival spots, that could be
a great foundation for trip to Europe too. Metelkova sounds awesome! We will
have to work harder to set something up. Thanks again for conducting this interview!
in New York, Sydney and San Francisco. San Francisco is set for Sunday,
February 10th at Laszlo on Mission between 22nd and 21st Streets. We played on
the West Coast for the first time recently. We would really like to do a larger
tour and especially to come to Europe. If any somewhat more known bands want to
have us along let us know! If we could get a few festival spots, that could be
a great foundation for trip to Europe too. Metelkova sounds awesome! We will
have to work harder to set something up. Thanks again for conducting this interview!
Interview made by Klemen Breznikar/2013
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http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
