the band
Beat Circus was formed in 2002 by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Brian Carpenter. His latest incarnation of Beat Circus
delivers tales of children, dreams, fatherhood, revenge, redemption, and
murder. In 2005 Carpenter began a radical shift in direction resulting in
the recording of Dreamland, the first part of Carpenter's Weird
American Gothic trilogy, with legendary NY producer Martin Bisi. Filled
with dark narrative songs and loosely based on historical events associated
with turn-of-the-century New York, Dreamland was the culmination
of a two-year effort by Beat Circus.
In Summer 2007 Brian Carpenter debuted the third incarnation of Beat Circus with a new concept and sound to develop the second part of the trilogy, Boy From Black Mountain, personal songs about family and fatherhood in the tradition of Southern Gospel songwriters and Southern Gothic literature featuring violist Jordan Voelker (Callithumpian Consort), guitarist/banjoist Andrew Stern (Fat Little Bastard), bassist/guitarist Paul Dilley (Reverend Glasseye), violinist Paran Amirinazari, tubist Ron Caswell (Slavic Soul Party), trombonist Doug LaRosa (Kayo Dot), and drummer Gavin McCarthy (Karate, Cul De Sac).
"Beat Circus has created a singular intriguing sonic identity by filtering certain bizarre old-time American and European pre-jazz styles through a progressive contemporary fearlessness" -- Weekly Planet
For more press information and high resolution photos, please visit the press page.
Photograph by Liz Linder.
BEAT CIRCUS (live/currently active band, 2007-present)
Brian Carpenter
- vocals, organ, harmonica, trumpets, musical direction
Jordan Voelker
- viola, vocals
Paran
Amirinazari - violin, vocals
Andrew
Stern - electric guitar, tenor banjo
Paul Dilley
- double bass, acoustic guitar
Gavin McCarthy
- drums, junk percussion
Ron
Caswell - tuba
Doug LaRosa - trombone
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Dreamland band
(2005-2006):
Brian Carpenter - vocals, harmonium, harmonica, trumpet, slide trumpet,
composition
Alec K. Redfearn - accordion, jawharp, vocals
Käthe Hostetter - violin
Julia Kent - cello
Ron Caswell - tuba
Curtis Hasselbring - trombone
Matt McLaren - drums, percussion, washboard
Brandon Seabrook - tenor banjo
Briggan Krauss - alto, baritone saxophones
Ringleaders band (2002-2004):
Brian Carpenter - trumpet, slide trumpet
Jim Hobbs - alto saxophone
Brandon Seabrook - tenor banjo
Ron Caswell - tuba
Alec K. Redfearn - accordion
Leigh Calabrese - musical saw
Jerome Deupree - drums
Other contributors past and present:
Larkin Grimm - voice (Boy From Black Mountain, occasional live
guest)
Ches Smith - drums, junk percussion (occasional live guest)
Holly Brewer - vocals (Dreamland, occasional live guest)
M@ McNiss - vocals (Dreamland, occasional live guest)
Brian Dewan - electric zither, autoharp, cover illustration (Dreamland)
Josh Roseman - trombone (occasional live guest)
Adam Glasseye - 5-string banjo, vocals (occasional live guest)
Dj Hazard - voice narration (Ringleaders, Dreamland)
Karen Langlie - cello, tape loops (Ringleaders,
occasional live guest)
David Goldin - illustrations (Ringleaders)
Dave Bias - website, CD design and layout (Ringleaders, Dreamland)
Lure Design - poster design and screen printing