The Circles Around the Sun Meets Joe Russo EP has officially been released, marking one of the band’s final complete releases with founding guitarist Neal Casal. The week prior to Casal’s death he did record with Circles however and this album, produced by Jim Scott, will be released in 2020.
The EP clocks in at four tracks, and according to a recent interview with keyboardist Adam MacDougall, Circles Around the Sun recorded it in March 2019 in New York. “We didn’t really have much prepped,” he told Relix. “We had two days in Brooklyn, and it was awesome. Russo is incredible. He was a kick-starter for us. He has ideas and knows how to make something happen. If we were sitting scratching our heads, he was ready to go in the room and start playing something. He was a catalyst for creativity.”
MacDougall later added, “The EP is a very special moment in time. Having Russo in the room made everyone play in a certain character. Everyone put on a different hat for those two days. I really like it. It’s very free.”
Russo joined Circles Around The Sun for a late-night jam at the LOCKN’ festival in August, in a performance that would sadly be known as Casal’s final time onstage with CATS. (In the time since, the late-night Garcia’s Forest stage at LOCKN’ has been renamed Neal’s Stage at Garcia’s Forest.)
In the time since Casal’s passing, Eric Krasno has taken on the mantle of lead guitar in Circles Around the Sun. He made his debut with the band at the “There’s A Reward” Casal tribute at the Capitol Theatre, and he will continue perform with them through their fall tour.
To purchase a limited edition vinyl of Circles Around The Sun Meets Joe Russo click here.
Stream the EP via Spotify below:
3 Comments comments associated with this post
groucho marx
October 21, 2019 at 9:00 amRIP Neal. must have listened to the 1st CATS album at least 100+ times. Autism! I don’t go to festivals anymore because I just can’t handle 1 more person yelling some flagrant shit at me to rile me up, and haven’t been to a festival since June 2nd, 2017, but I did think about making it out to Lock’n for a minute. If you are having a hard time, call some 1800 number and all your problems will be fixed
CATS Fan
October 18, 2019 at 3:47 pm“Final” is not correct, the band has been promoting a new album in 2020 that is Neal’s last recordings with them and was made months after the Russo album.
CATS FAN2
October 18, 2019 at 5:18 pmI 2nd that.