For those unaware, Circus Mind is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of ringleader Mark Rechler.

The band is entering their twentieth year and are soon to release their third album Joy Machine (May 21st, 2021 via Outhouse Music Inc.), a fresh explosion of sounds and flavors of the 70s rock era with a modern twist.

Like a three-ring circus, the band can slide seamlessly between rock, funk, and swampy Nawlins grooves, all while referencing some of the best bands of that era with infectious hooks that get stuck in your ear hole.

Indeed, Circus Minds members are diverse in their influences as well as their playing. Lead vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist, and bandleader Rechler plays in multiple bands (such as Falling Water), and has played, toured, and recorded with members of The Meters, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, Soulive, The Brandon Taz Niederauer Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville, and more.

Bassist Chris Crosby has a serious case of spider-fingers and can solo as beautifully as any guitarist. A funkster from a family of highly respected musicians, Chris has also studied with Oteil Burbridge of The Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company. Currently, he has also been busy playing in his brothers Jason Crosby Band and with New York rock quartet Feverseed.

Guitarist David Berg is rooted in jazz, reggae, and bluegrass. He has toured with Dark Star Orchestra and has played multiple shows with Garth Hudson (The Band).

Drummer Dan Roth has been banging on things since he was a tyke, and he cannot seem to stop. He is addicted to crosswords, motor coordination, and avocados.

With over 30 album credits to his name, percussionist Steve Finkelstein has worked with pop icons from Ray Charles and Mariah Carey as well as jam band giants including members of the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, and Tower of Power. Steve is also an original member and current member of the Funk Filharmonik.

Circus Minds brand new album Joy Machine releases May 21st, 2021, and also features Nels Cline, Marc Ribot, Ivan Neville, Walter Wolfman Washington, Scott Metzger, and more.

1. Are You Ready (feat. Brandon Taz Niederauer)
2. Joy Machine (feat. Scott Metzger)
3. Air Waves (feat. Brandon Taz Niederauer)
4. Mean Mutha Fucka (feat. Max Newman)
5. Longing Song (feat. Nels Cline)
6. Jazzfest Time (feat. Ivan Neville & Big Sam)
7. Errand Boy (feat. Chris Fasulo)
8. Three Muses (feat. Kevin Griffen)
9. Nutbag (feat. Marc Ribot)
10. Troubled Times (feat. Walter Wolfman Washington)

This vibrantly alive and kicking new album opens on the 70s guitar funk and foot-tapping beats of Are You Ready and the jangling pop-psych ambiance of the title track Joy Machine, and then backs those up with the funky Air Waves, the soaring, horn-imbibed Mean Mutha Fucka and then we get one of my own personal favorites, the earnest storytelling of Longing Song.

Released one year ago as an ode to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and featuring both Ivan Neville and Big Sam, the magnificently upbeat and joyous Jazzfest Time is brought forth next and that is backed by the free flowing Errand Boy, the rocking rhythms of Three Muses, with the album rounding out on the foot-tapping Nutbag, closing on the lofi, almost-pleading, graveled-vocal outreach of Troubled Times.

The production of Joy Machine began in August of 2019, but it was the Covid-19 pandemic that really set the stage for the record. While some bands took to the internet airwaves to stream performances, Rechler locked down in the studio.

Suddenly we had a ton of time on our hands and we knew we wanted to come out of this with a full album, he explains. I was a man possessed and started writing like a madman!

The band started working remotely but quickly masked up and got down to business. In a weird way, the pandemic also opened doors for us to find such amazing guests who were not out on tour and were looking to keep busy.

The previous Circus Mind release Silver Flower was voted Best Indie Album of 2006 by Newsday and put a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat, and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa vibe influences like Dr. John, The Meters, and The Neville Brothers.

Official Are You Ready Music Video

Official Purchase Links

www.circusmindband.com

Circus Mind @ Facebook

Circus Mind @ YouTube

Circus Mind @ YouTube