CASPIAN, the symphonic Massachusetts-based band who have been dubbed “the most regal of the instrumental new rock school” (Pitchfork) and post-rock cosmonauts (Spin), return with their first album in over four years, releasing On Circles on January 24 via Triple Crown Records.
The band gives fans an early preview of the eight-song, 46-minute album, streaming the song “Flowers of Light”:
“I’ve grown weary of reading about bands discuss the renewing, rehabilitative properties their most recent [album] has had on them,” says guitarist/keyboardist Philip Jamieson of the mindset the band had going into recording On Circles. “They incur corrosion, come close to running out of gas, descend into the dark abyss, and finally emerge on the other side with a record that has given them crystal clear perspective and a confident path forward. On Circles is not that record.”
Instead, this majestic collision of post-rock, metal, shoegaze, electronics, noise, minimalism and ambient music is an existential meditation, an acceptance of the cyclical nature of both life and career. Recorded at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA by producer Will Yip (Code Orange, Defeater, Quicksand, Turnstile), On Circles marks the most organic writing and recording sessions in Caspian’s 15-year history. Together for four weeklong songwriting sessions, the band opted for music gleaming with visceral impact instead of over-thought tangles, over-arching concepts and drawn-out crescendos.
On Circles track listing:
1. Wildblood
2. Flowers of Light
3. Nostalgist (feat. Kyle Durfey)
4. Divison Blues
5. Onsra
6. Collapser
7. Ishmael
8. Circles on Circles
The news of On Circles’ impending release finds Caspian preparing for the most extensive touring the sextet has done in recent years: heading to China in December, followed by the band’s first visit to Western North America in three years and a newly announced swing down the East Coast.
CASPIAN tour dates:
November 16 Beverly, MA The Cabot (matinee)
November 16 Beverly, MA The Cabot SOLD OUT
December 6 Chengdu, China Zhenghuo Art Flame
December 8 Beijing, China Tango 3F
December 10 Wuhan Shi, China Vox Livehouse
December 11 Nanjing Shi, China Space
December 12 Hangzhou, China Mao Livehouse
December 13 Shanghai, China Mao Livehouse
December 14 Shenzhen Shi, China B10 Live
December 15 Guangzhou, China T:Union
December 17 Tokyo, Japan Koenji High
January 30 Los Angeles, CA Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
January 31 Phoenix, AZ Rebel Lounge
February 1 San Diego, CA The Casbah
February 3 Fresno, CA Strummer’s
February 4 Felton, CA Felton Music Hall
February 5 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
February 7 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
February 8 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret
February 9 Seattle, WA Neumos
February 11 Sacrament, CA Holy Diver
February 12 Long Beach, CA Long Beach Art Theatre
March 31 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace
April 1 Buffalo, NY Rec Room
April 5 Woodstock, NY Colony
April 6 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
April 8 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge
April 9 Washington, DC Black Cat
April 10 Richmond, VA Gallery 5
April 11 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle Tavern
April 12 Durham, NC Motorco Music Hall
April 14 Atlanta, GA Aisle 5
April 15 Orlando, FL The Abbey
April 17 Nashville, TN Exit In
April 18 Louisville, KY Diamond Pub & Billiard Concert Hall
April 19 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups