Results tagged “beatcircus”

What’s the Deal: This Boston-based group lead by multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Brian Carpenter has undergone several lineup shifts and some directional changes since their formation in 2002. They began as an improv instrumental group frequently using a circus music vibe as a jumping off point with instruments like sax, accordion, banjo, musical saw, and others. That was during the Ringleaders Revolt recordings. For the release of their second album, Dreamland, Beat Circus moved toward a narrative music style and centered this concept album around historical events in turn-of-the-century New York and Coney Island. Now, their latest is set to be released in September. Boy From Black Mountain is “a collection of very personal songs about children, fatherhood, dreams, lost love, lust, revenge and redemption,” according to Carpenter. The music, which he says is inspired by his son, true stories from his family in the South, and Southern Gothic literature, mixes the sounds of bluegrass, Appalachian strings and a touch of southern gospel into a pot with a stygian, circus orchestra vibe.