Circles Around the Sun (CATS) emerged from a unique commission: guitarist Neal Casal was asked to compose instrumental music to be played during the set breaks of the Grateful Dead's 2015 'Fare Thee Well' concerts. What began as a project to capture the 'Dead' aesthetic evolved into a standalone powerhouse of cosmic jazz-funk and psychedelic rock.
The band's sound is defined by its instrumental nature, centered on the interplay between Casal's (and later his successors') fluid, wah-heavy guitar work and Adam MacDougall's vintage keyboard textures. Following Casal's tragic passing in 2019, the band chose to continue, evolving their sound to include more prominent disco, boogie, and electronic influences while maintaining their signature 'interlude' feel. They occupy a specific niche in the jam band scene, eschewing vocal-led songwriting for long-form, hypnotic grooves that bridge the gap between 70s fusion and modern ambient-psych. Critically, they are praised for their restraint and ability to maintain a consistent atmosphere across sprawling tracks.
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); dreamy, serene, contemplative (moods)
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares psychedelic rock, jazz fusion, funk (subgenres); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style); instrumental_only (vocal style)
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style); instrumental_only (vocal style)
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares instrumental_only (vocal style); analog_warmth, reverb_heavy, live_recording (production style)
Shares dreamy, organ, psychedelic rock, instrumental_only (signature)
Shares golden_hour, jazz fusion, psychedelic rock, instrumental_only (signature)
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