"Imagine a band that has mixed twenty five years of rock and roll with a dash of folk and a pinch of Americana into an enormous caldron over a blazing fire. The result is the sound of a yesterday long forgotten, and a refreshing revival of what made you listen to music in the first place."  

Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, New York's favourite psychedelic roots rock band present 'The Great Unravel' (High Noon Records) their latest studio album. Produced by ‘Circus' guitarist Sharkey McEwen with help from the band, the new CD follows their critically acclaimed double album 'Flapjacks From The Sky'. 

The band's third studio album has their trademark 'punk-classical hillbilly-floyd' brand of folk-rock, with a hefty dose of sixties psychedelia running through it all. (The Great Unravel, Pushin' up Daisies, Clear Channel, Summer's Day) Not wanting to neglect their Celtic roots, the band called on renowned uilleann pipemaker Seth Gallagher, (who recently joined The Chieftains for a few tunes at Carnegie Hall and builds pipes for the luminaries of Celtic music). His playing adds a supernatural dimension to the album's hauntingly beautiful love song, 'Tink'.

In 1998 The Circus emerged from the misty hills of Sleepy Hollow, New York and exploded upon the Hudson Valley music scene with their stunning self-produced debut release, "A Good Thief Tips His Hat.” Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams are one of the best known and loved bands in their home state, voted Hudson Valley Magazine's "Band of the Year" three years in succession. 

Coast to coast, they are becoming one of the most talked about bands at festivals, receiving standing ovations at legendary venues like the Philadelphia Folk Festival as well as California festivals (Strawberry Music Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass). Appearances this summer include the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival, High Sierra, and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. The Circus ends the summer with their UK debut at the Rhythm Festival, Twinwood Arena, Clapham, Bedfordshire. 

Featured in Relix Magazine, The New York Times and on the CBS hit show, Joan of Arcadia, the band's charismatic live performances and whimsical blend of folk, rock, hillbilly and pop have captivated audiences and critics alike. 

The Circus' live shows are where the real magic comes down, earning them critical acclaim as well as a fiercely loyal following. On stage they create an enchanting atmosphere, using traditional folk instruments, electric guitars, the occasional theremin and the distinctive singing and songwriting of Joziah Longo. Citing influences as diverse as Hank Williams, Dylan, Bowie, Incredible String Band and early Pink Floyd, the band's music is a mental roller coaster of whimsical and thought-provoking songs.

Their last studio release, 'Flapjacks From The Sky' continues to make a buzz internationally.

The new album The Great Unravel quickly followed in its footsteps. USA’s Paste Magazine  choose 'The Great Unravel' as a 'Pick of the Month' for the August 2008 issue.

Known as the ultimate D.I.Y. band, The Circus recorded, produced, mastered and designed 'The Great Unravel' using Apple computers and software. They performed on Friday, August 8th (08/08/08) at their local Apple Store for a "Made on a Mac" event to coincide with their music becoming available on iTunes.

The band has also received an endorsement by Hear Technologies for 'The Great Unravel' tour, providing the band with the revolutionary 'Hear Back' Personal Monitor Mixer System and will be working with Circus sound man Kristopher Truzzi on new product development.

The Circus road band includes founding members Sharkey McEwen (guitars, mandolin, backing vocals), Joziah Longo (lead vocals, guitars, harmonica), Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, flute, theremin), Tony Zuzulo (percussion), and touring members Chen Longo (bass) and Orien Longo (keyboards, backing vocals).

Joziah Longo (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica) grew up in a working class neighbourhood in Philadelphia, where his grandfather and father, both factory workers, played music on the weekends in a local music scene that was heavily influenced by immigrant musicians,
Mummers and string bands. 

His father hung a guitar over Joziah's crib to ensure he would carry on the musical legacy. As soon as he was big enough to hold a guitar, they taught him country, folk and Mummers music and the latest pop music of the time. Performing professionally from the age of thirteen in cover bands, he cut his musical teeth playing the Irish Social Clubs and local Two-Dollar Nights. He also performed in area coffeehouses doing Dylan covers. 

In his late teens Joziah moved to New York City where he found the inspiration to begin writing his own music. Within a short time he was doing shows as a headliner in venues ranging from CBGB's to Carnegie Hall. In the early 90's Joziah was the first American artist invited to perform in mainland China, ending a decade-long ban on Western music. As bandleader of The Circus, Joziah's desire to maintain artistic independence has always made him shy away from any major record label interest.

Tink Lloyd  Multi-instrumentalist (accordion, cello, flute, etc.) comes from a long line of feisty Irish Musicians. Her grandmother's family emigrated from County Cork, Ireland to the United States and settled in Northern Virginia where Tink grew up. A compulsive texturalist, Lloyd is constantly adding new instruments to the Circus's musical arsenal.  Most recently theremin and bagpipes have come under her loving domain. She has worked with Joziah and Sharkey on many projects.

Sharkey McEwen (guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals) long time musical partner of Joziah is a legendary guitar player in the New York music scene. His Louisiana roots are evident in his lyrical, straight from the heart playing. As a teenager, Sharkey played the L.A. club circuit before coming to New York in the early 90's. His intuitive, evocative playing is a key ingredient of the band's magic. He is in constant demand as a producer and guitarist for other artists.

Tony Zuzulo (percussion) a native New Yorker sold his drums after years of playing in metal bands in New Jersey bars and became a Professor of Multimedia and Graphic Design at the local college - which is where he met student Joziah Longo. When Joziah heard rumours of Tony's percussive past he invited him to an impromptu jam in his attic studio. The chemistry between them was so obvious that Joziah convinced him to pack up his computer and become the Professor of Drumology in the Circus.

Visit Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
http://www.slambovia.com

CD - The Great Unravel
CD - Flapjacks From The Sky                                                                                       CD - A Good Thief Tips His Hat 

Available Now - Distributor: CD Baby

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