Despite not being on any form of record label to date, London-based Nordic outfit Circumnavigate have managed to gather a huge wave of support in recent months. With more than 40,000 Spotify streams and landing three songs in a US feature film, directed by Domenica Scorsese (the daughter of film legend Martin Scorsese), the band have now blown us away once again with their newest offering 'Layer You Up'.
Just like their work to date, 'Layer You Up' has also proven to be an instant hit on the streaming service with New Music Friday's and plenty of other big Spotify editorial playlistings, earning the track a further 31,000 streams since its release. With its soaring atmosphere coupled with some truly sensual and uplifting vocals, this new dream-pop delight is definitely one to add to your next new music listing.
So with the group on a solid run right now, we caught up with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I think most of us started on piano, so that seems like an obvious choice….but nobody can deny a beautiful string section!
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
We love to create a beautiful, emotional soundscape for listeners, so I think anything that inspires that way of thinking; relationships, landscapes, nature. We also love conceptualising songs, so books, films etc.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I’m sure we all differ there!
Ross: I was into alt. rock, pop-punk & emo music - loved bands like Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy, Blink 182 etc.
Josh: I think my teenage years I began to broaden the types of music I was listening to. Was really into artists such as Ben Howard, KOL, Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, The Roots.
Sigrid: Alicia Keys, Craig David, Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls and Blink 182
Charlie: In my teenage years I was craving any kind of sound that felt heavy and had loads of energy so naturally nu metal became my go to genre, bands like Incubus and Linkin Park really inspired me. But being a bass player my love was always with The Red Hot Chill Peppers.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Ross: ‘Feeling This’ by Blink 182
Sigrid: I am not sure but I think maybe ‘Didn’t We’ with Frank Sinatra. It’s like a poem and I’m still not tired of it.
Charlie: Around the World - Red Hot Chill Peppers
Josh: Stevie Wonder - Love's in need of love today
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
We were lucky enough to be included in a great Spotify editorial recently called ‘Acoustic Spring’ - that’s getting spun a lot!
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Sigrid: “I would say everything is write is in some correlation to people in my life somehow. But it’s not necessarily about them. It could be a phrase they say, thoughts they have or just an idea I have in relation to them. Some songs are very personal though but I find my best songs are written from a little more of an observing perspective.”
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
I think the highlight has to be placing 3 songs in a US feature film directed by the daughter of Martin Scorsese (Domenica Cameron-Scorsese), called Almost Paris. That, or our release last week of ‘Layer You Up’ being added to 3 New Music Friday playlists - that was a first for us and felt pretty good to be alongside so many great artists!
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
We’re all massive people persons, so I think friends & family!
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
There was never an alternative!
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
This is obviously a terrible time for the live music scene sadly, but it is a huge opportunity in disguise for musicians; now is the time to hone all those things you’ve always wanted to! Writing, producing, learning! Keep building your brand, your repertoire. Release content and get a plan together! You will never have more free time than now.
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Circumnavigate's new single 'Layer You Up' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.