2006 news

Dreamland update 12.18.06

We are busy working to finish the new record with the very great Martin Bisi. The mixing game is slow but we are making steady progress. We're about 70% there as of this writing. As a special preview, we just posted two new mp3s on our myspace page, "The Ghost Of Emma Jean" and "Dreamland". Track listings and lyrics are detailed in the blog section. Comprised of narrative songs based loosely on historic figures and fictional characters from turn-of-the century Coney Island, Dreamland features special guests cellist Julia Kent (Antony & The Johnsons), trombonist Curtis Hasselbring (Golem), multi-instrumentalist Sxip Shirey, thereminist Michael Hearst (One Ring Zero), and harpist Jesse Sparhawk (Jaggery). We don't have a release date yet but stay tuned!

 

Ches Smith 12.11.06

Starting in December 2006 Ches Smith will join Beat Circus for select shows and recordings. Ches is a remarkable and versatile drummer hailing from the Los Angeles area who has performed and recorded with Mr Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3, Xiu Xiu, Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, and countless other ensembles.

 

 

 

Beat Circus + Reverend Glasseye Short Tour 11.23.06

Beat Circus will be doing a short tour of the Northeast with sibling band Reverend Glasseye starting at Tonic in NYC on Wednesday December 13. These shows feature drummer Ches Smith (Xiu Xiu, Secret Chiefs 3) and special guests trombonist Josh Roseman and banjoist Adam Glasseye. Other special guests along the way include musicians who worked with us on the forthcoming album Dreamland including cellist Julia Kent (Tonic), electronic wizard Frank Difficult (AS220), and "loop cellist" Karen Langlie (TT The Bears). See the full schedule on the SHOWS page.

 

 

 

 

Brian Carpenter's Ghost Train Orchestra Oct 19-22 9.10.06

Oct 19-22 marks the debut performance of Brian Carpenter's Ghost Train Orchestra, a completely unique spinoff of Beat Circus performing hot-house jazz in the spirit of vaudeville acts of the 1920s, Tin Pan Alley parlour songs, original bawdy-house burlesque grinds, and sideshow pieces for on-stage performers. The orchestra formed in April 2005 to record a film score for acclaimed animator Lorelei Pepi's cartoon musical Happy & Gay.

The Ghost Train Orchestra features Brian Carpenter (trumpet, slide trumpet, arrangements), Briggan Krauss (alto, baritone saxophones), Jim Hobbs (alto saxophone), Charlie Kohlhase (tenor, baritone saxophones), Michael Winograd (clarinet), Josh Roseman (trombone), Katt Hernandez (violin), Brandon Seabrook (banjo), and Django Carranza (drums).

The Ghost Train Orchestra will be performing on five consecutive shows as part of a larger event which marks the 90th anniversary of the Regent Theater in Arlington, MA. Stage performers include acrobatic circus troupe The Daredevil Chicken Club, master of ceremonies Evan O'Television, burlesque performer Molly Crabapple, opera singer Anne Harley, and many others. For showtimes, visit the SHOWS page.

 

A Day In The Life Of A Tuba Player 9.6.06

Beat Circus tubist Ron Caswell was followed around for a typical busy work day in New York City by filmmaker Chris Kenneally, who compiled this mini-documentary for turnhere.com.

 

Beat Circus + Brian Dewan @ Tonic Aug 24 7.28.06

Beat Circus returns to Tonic in NYC on Thursday August 24 to perform new music from their forthcoming record with special guests cellist Julia Kent (Antony & the Johnsons) and trombonist Curtis Hasselbring (Golem, Frank London). Also performing...our sibling band Alec K Redfearn & the Eyesores and musical innovator Brian Dewan. Brian Dewan has created scores of instruments for homemade music, including the bass zither, and is a frequent collaborator with They Might Be Giants, and has also created exquisite album art for bands like Neutral Milk Hotel. In live performance, he most often accompanies his singing with an electric zither of his own invention. He also plays a variety of other instruments, including autoharp, organ, and accordion.

 

 

In The Studio with Martin Bisi 6.28.06

Beat Circus has been recording this summer with legendary producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, The Swans, Foetus, Naked City). Comprised of dark cabaret songs and spastic gypsy carnival music based loosely on historic figures and fictional characters from turn-of-the century Coney Island, Dreamland features special guests cellist Julia Kent (Antony & The Johnsons), trombonist Curtis Hasselbring (Golem, Frank London), multi-instrumentalist Michael Hearst (One Ring Zero), and harpist Jesse Sparhawk (Jaggery). In the past few years Martin Bisi has produced albums for bands such as Barbez, Morricone Youth, and The Dresden Dolls.

 

Barbès Review 5.13.06

Last April we returned to our favorite listening room and neighborhood bar Barbès (also the site of our first NYC show) for a special stripped-down set of songs about turn-of-the-century Coney Island and the Gold Rush. Read Sean Fitzell's review of the performance here.

 

 

Briggan Krauss 1.25.06

Saxophonist Briggan Krauss has joined The Beat Circus for select shows and recordings. Briggan has one of the most extraordinary and instantly recognizable sounds on the alto saxophone in the world. He has performed and recorded with Sex Mob, John Zorn, Medeski Martin and Wood, Anthony Coleman, and Bill Frisell. More information on Briggan can be read on the BAND page.

 

 

 

The Studio Visit 1.20.06

Illustrator/performer Cynthia Von Buhler has created a DVD featuring incidental music by Beat Circus for a new exhibit at Exit Art in Manhattan. Exit Art is kicking off the new year with "The Studio Visit" featuring the work of more than 160 artists invited to create a short video on the subject of their workspace. One of the participating artists . Cynthia will create a studio in the gallery's windows that face the street on 36th Street. The exhibit ends Jan 28.

 

Winter 2006 Shows 1.02.06

The Beat Circus will debut a new set of dark carnival songs sung through bullhorns and pipes on Thursday January 26 2006 at TT The Bears with special guest Adam Glasseye of Reverend Glasseye...also performing on this show are some of our favorite bands including HUMANWINE, Casey Dienel, and Sxip Shirey.

We will be touring the Northeast in Jan-Feb 2006 and playing Portland ME, Cambridge MA, New Haven CT, and NYC. Check the SHOWS page for more details and upcoming events...