ION INDIE MAGAZINE January 2016, Volume 20 | Page 107

MAX FLYER, PAT METHENY, MARCO MINNEMAN, JONI MITCHELL, PATRICK MORAZ, PRM, NEKTAR,
PINK FLOYD, JEAN-LUC PONTY, PROG ROCK ORCHESTRA, RACHMANINOFF, STEVE REICH,
RENAISSANCE, RETURN TO FOREVER, JORDAN RUDESS, RUSH, SAGA, SEAL, STARCASTLE,
STARSHIP, STICK MEN, STING, THE STRAWBS, STYX, JAMES TAYLOR, TOTO, THE TUBES, UK, RALPH
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, WEATHER REPORT, RICK WAKEMAN, JOHN WILLIAMS, THE WHO, YES, FRANK
ZAPPA, ZEBRA, HANS ZIMMER and THE ZOMBES! Of course, there could be more…
JP: What are some contemporary Prog Rock bands that Circuline enjoys?
AC: ENCHANT, FLYING COLORS, HAKEN, LIFESIGNS, LO-FI RESISTANCE, MARILLION, NEAL MORSE,
OBLIVION SUN (former members of HAPPY THE MAN), OUT OF THE BEARDSPACE, PORCUPINE TREE,
SOUND OF CONTACT, SPOCK’S BEARD, THANK YOU SCIENTIST, TRANSATLANTIC…and we really love
STEVEN WILSON.
JP: What do you think is more important when playing Progressive Rock, talent or imagination?
AC: I think both are necessary. However, if forced to choose an answer, I would give you the quote, “Necessity
is the mother of invention.” If someone has imagination, I believe they will have the impetus to practice, get
better on their instrument, find their own voice, and their natural talent will emerge and evolve over time.
JP: Why did you pick your band name?
AC: Have you ever had six people voting on anything…much less a band name? We went through over 100
names, and couldn’t agree on anything. I had a dream and came up with the band name “Circuloid”. DARIN
BRANNON said he couldn’t have any name that ended in “-oid”, because it rhymed with “hemorrhoid”.
NATALIE BROWN came up with some variations, and we all agreed on “Circuline”. It was the only name that
someone in the band didn’t hate.
JP: How did you form?
AC: Circuline was formed in February 2014, and was a transmutation from the Progressive Rock tribute band,
DOWNING GREY. For five years, Downing Grey would perform nine bands in one night: YES, GENESIS, ELP,
GENTLE GIANT, KING CRIMSON, UK, JETHRO TULL, RUSH and PINK FLOYD. BILL SHANNON, Darin
Brannon and I loved playing Progressive Rock music, but we were getting weary of playing someone else’s
music (even from those great bands). The three of us really wanted to start writing original material, having
done so in other bands we had all been involved with in the past. We already knew that we could all play. We
just had to start writing. AND, what we realized very quickly, is that in the time it takes to learn all of that Classic
Prog material--we could just write our own stuff! Our mission is to be a modern Prog Rock band, creating music
that we love. Hopefully, others will love it too, and over time our fan base will grow worldwide.
JP: Do you write out your lyrics? Do you ever change a song’s lyrics in live sets?
AC: At this time, we’re fortunate to be working with RANDY MCSTINE (LO-FI RESISTANCE, SOUND OF
CONTACT, PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE) as a songwriter. Randy wrote with us on our first album, and on the
second album we’re finishing now. We’re so grateful to have him as part our writing team. His beautiful
melodies, harmonies, and lyrics have been an absolute perfect fit for our music. Randy’s contribution to both
albums has been invaluable. If lyrics get changed in live sets, it’s not by design!