'Diving Into The Circuit'

To borrow a song title from the famed South Park movie, we can “Blame Canada!” for all the new blisteringly honest and emotional modern rock vibes coming from CHR and Hot AC stations around the U.S. who are quickly jumping on “Complicated,” the explosive single from Eau de Humanity, the debut CD by the Ottawa, Ontario based Circuit.

The highly anticipated 11-song collection — which includes five tracks the band had been selling as an exclusive EP at their concerts as the disc was in production — was finally released this past January through Top Sail Productions and WEA Distribution at a developing artist price of just $9.99.

Circuit are: Michael James (lead vocals), Jobber (lead guitarist), Woody (rhythm guitarist), Dave MacDonald (bass), Jason Woodley (keyboards), and drummer Jadon Bailey.

Chatting recently with lead singer Michael James, I first noted that as they had averaged @ 100 dates a year, at what point did they manage to also work, eat, sleep, and spend time with their family and friends?! "Our old adage was we'll sleep when we're dead. But sooner or later we had to stop and smell the roses. We are just gearing up to do it again; if only to pay my gigantic cell phone bill from calling home all the time!"

Your album title suggests a suggestive nod towards the smell of our society, but is this true or do you have your own explanation?! "Our society smells? I wish it smelled like bacon. 'Eau de Humanity' was originally just a simple pun; now, it can mean a whole bunch of things. Our album represents a wide ranging gamet of human emotions, so I guess, you can look at it like that way. We are representing humanity's frailty and emotions."

You've already experienced a lot of success throughout Canada, so what is it gonna take for you to break into the American market? "Hard work, touring, a bit of luck, and millions of people buying our album!"

It's also been noted that your band name originates from a joke about "the crappy circuit of dives" you used to play, but what were you named before these dives were encountered? "Believe it or not, our first show was at a crappy dive, so the name Circuit originated at the beginning, knowing we were going to playing those type of bars at the beginning....and we did.....alot of them!"

Out of the 11 songs on this new album which one truly stands out to be your go-to favorite when recommending it to first time listeners ... and why? "I would say 'Complicated' and 'Just Like Heaven'.....they show both our harder and softer sides. We are a Pop/Rock band....we aren't re-inventing the wheel. Both these songs show we can play, and we have fun. YAY!!!"

The band has stated that "... if you can touch one person's life through music, it's all worth it," but which song was the one that first touched you at a young age? "'God Only Knows' by the Beach Boys...even as a teenager, this song was beautiful. The harmonies at the end are still some of the greatest things I have ever heard."

For fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:
'Broken Window' - When was the last time you broke a window and was it by accident?! "I think I chipped my windshield when a pebble fell from an overpass...does that count!?"

'Helen Of Troy' - Are you a lover of history and if so, to what degree? "I was a History major in university, and still go to Museums and the like on the road. The rest of the guys make fun of me. It hurts alot inside. In all seriousness, I wish people took more of an interest in History, and the lessons it teaches us everyday. Nothing happens to us that hasn't happened before in some way, shape or form."

'Complicated' - What is the most complicated aspect of life as a band at this present time? "Paying the bills. Balancing fiscal responsibility, with musical responsibility."

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "All of them, and I resent the word cheesy. They are classic examples of sonic art. 'Take On Me' by A-HA, just so I could do a pencil crayon video too!"

If you were asked to record a single for charity, and had to choose 3 other known musicians (and no one from your own band!) to aid you in the project, who would they be, what instruments would they play, and what would the name of the NEW song be?! "Let's see, Trent Reznor on Keyboards and Samples. Rich Robinson on Guitar and Noel Gallagher on Guitar as well. (I would hire session musicians for the other parts.) And the song would be called "The Oasis of Nine Inch Crowes." Or maybe Eleanor Rigby....or has that been done before?!"

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "Who doesn't, in fact, I also like Puffins, Albatrosses and many other assorted sea birds. 'March of the Penguins' (btw) is a must-see movie. My favorite penguin is Opus the Penguin from the Bloom County comic strip. If anyone remembers that, I am duly impressed!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

www.CircuitRocks.com

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Circuit's brand new CD, just answer this easy question: Circuit's debut album, Eau De Humanity was finished with which award-winning producer at the helm?