http://www.classifieds.myspace.com/view/1504088402

Come on! You know you want to play on a Saturday, not just drink...you can do both!

This is from The Detroit Jam Bands Examiner's review of my new album:

This album encompasses many different styles of music from rock to Jazz. Each song has it it's own style. Phil Circle's lyrics are catchy and sometimes have a hint of humor.

“Down To The Sea”, is a song I really liked. It has great guitar and beats throughout. It has a dancelike feel to it. I also liked “Psychosis”, it has a nice drum intro and more jammy feel to it. The whole song just flows perfectly.

Songs like “There's A River” and “Afterlife” have a nice bluesy jazz feel to them. “There's A River” has pleasing soulful lyrics, while “Afterlife” seems more old school style. He also combines folksy sounds with new age lyrics like in the song “Everything I Touch”.

The whole albums takes you into different music fusions. The poetic lyrics hold them together along with use of different instrumental combinations. It's like going on a musical adventure.

Thanks to Kristin Karpczuk for this review! The rest of the article talks about my background in Chicago music and announces the CD release at Schubas.

And thanks to all who attended! I and the band (as well as the other acts I brought in) had a blast!

So, next week, I'll be uploading all new tracks for my page here...all stuff from the new album, obviously. I was "talking" to a few friends on Facebook, where I've located tons of people I haven't seen since high school (many many years ago), and they all were asking where to check out my music. Of course, I sent them here. It dawned on me, however, that few people realize they can go to the download store on my page here and scroll down through every song I've released in the last 12 years. Just by clicking on the song title, you can hear them without having to buy them. Of course, I'd love if you did both. :)
So, anyway, this means, too, that you'll still be able to enjoy the songs I've had up here after I replace them. Also, one or two of these have been redone with a full band on the new CD.
Watch for the new stuff next week, and if you're in Chicago or passing through on May 7th, come to Schuba's for the CD release and show with the full band and I, with special guests Ruby Harris on fiddle and Barrett Tasky from The Mudflapps on guitar. We've also got Ted Wulfers, Glasko and Steve Wik playing short sets. The band and I will play the new CD straight through and follow with a set of previous stuff and a few covers. There will be video as well as a FREE beer tasting with New Holland Brewing Company.
Hope to see you there!
-Phil

So, I've got some new material and the band and I have been in the studio at Blam Recording laying down tracks for a new CD to be released in the late winter or early spring. I'm very happy with the quality of work that's being done, both by the band and by Sean Morrison, my co-producer and the owner/engineer at Blam. He and I worked together years ago, putting together two CDs with my old band Guilty, both of which were well received by critics and have become collectors items for those indie/unknown progressive music lovers. Sean has a real gift for production and it's only become better since I last worked with him.

For our release, we'll be doing two events--one public and one VIP/Media event, both of which we'll be presenting at the same venue. Additionally, we're looking at the possibility of a listening party before the live shows. So, keep in the loop on this, so you don't miss it!

2008 has been quite the year and so much has evolved in my life. I'm always happy to make it through another year and never pass one without heartache and hard times sharing my life with golden memories and great change. I'm so very grateful to the many friends I have, the people who make me their family, the people that I am honored to help and inspire, and the hundreds of human lives I cross paths with every week. This work of music/acting/writing is a difficult living, but as I said to a student of mine just today--it's not about fiscal, it's about visceral. We all struggle to make a living, whether by the sheer need for money or the hardship of the work itself. But when we can find in our guts, deep down, the fortitude to pursue a life of intention, then we are bringing meaning not only to our own lives, but perhaps more importantly (as it helps us too) to others around us.

Peace and my deepest appreciation and highest hopes to all of you in 2009 and beyond.

-Phil

I wrote a new tune recently called "Angel."

Then, I was at The Globe Pub for Stolie's Wednesday Night Open Mic, and she was recording. The next day, I got an email with the tunes I'd played, and "Angel" was one of them. I was pleasantly surprised, as I had no idea Stolie recorded the Open Mic.

This new song is featured on the Chicago Open Mics page, which you can access through my Top Friends. You'll see a long list of Open Mics to attend, and hear music from various local talent. This is a great resource for musicians looking to play!

I have also uploaded "Angel" to my page and you can download it FREE for as long as it's posted. Have at it!

Thanks Stolie for letting me put it up and everyone keep supporting live music in Chicago!

So, after a week in New Mexico with my girl, with nowhere to be, nothing to do, and all day to get there and do it, I feel refreshed and ready to make the next move. Now, I'm back in the fray in Chicago, teaching and playing shows, and have a few new projects on the table. The band is about to record some new material (and some band versions of old acoustic stuff), I've decided to take a break from plays for awhile to get focused on specific plans, and the ducks are getting in their rows for a proper record label and possibly a school. But, one thing at a time.

I'm happy in my home life, gonna keep it that way. 24/7 with the same person and I found nothing that annoyed me, ha. She's drama-free and a pleasure to travel with. She fell in love with New Mexico, just as I did so many years ago, and we'll be going back. But first, plans are being made for New York City. This trip, I'll be playing some shows tho. Last week in the Southwest was the first trip I've taken without shows to play in more than a decade. Phew. It was great. No Work. It was much needed R&R. And my bi-polar ass requires R&R, much as I never take any. It's a miracle I haven't completely lost it.

A week away allowed me to step back from all my plans and offered opportunities, to take a good look at what I can do in a 24 hour day, and which doors should be opened and which oughta be left shut, for now. So, the label moves forward. I'll keep playing gigs and certainly teaching. Other things? Acting? I love it, but it consumes all my spare time and some of my not-so-spare time. I'll come back to it, no question, but not until stability has been achieved. A school? Quite possibly this will be step two. Step three? Be happy.

Do what you love, not just what you're good at, and pace it carefully or it will all become an overwhelming pile of dreaded jobs you can't keep up with. And don't forget the people around you who need you in their lives as much as you need them.

peace
til next blog

I've posted a new video on my main page here, from our great show at Republic in November. It's our rendition of "Born Under A Bad Sign."
And I've been uploading new vids to my YouTube page as well, including a clip of a scene study I did for acting class, with our last back-up vocalist Amanda Beaudin.
And I'd like to welcome our new vocalist Cathy Barr to the band!
So, go check them out, and send me a friend request on there, as well, so you'll get notice whenever I post something new---which will be on-going. Lotsa videos to go through!!
http://www.youtube.com/philcircle
See ya soon!

Okay, so about a month ago, I’m talking to the director of this run of One-Act Plays that I was auditioning for, and I commented that my last two (and only two) roles were lead comedic parts; and boy, would I love to do a dramatic role. He says, "Well, one of the three I have in mind is a drama." Cocky ole me, says, "Yeah, I know, but you don’t see a good dramatic part in THAT one for ME, do you?" He shrugs and says nothing. I get the message, and assure him that I’ll ultimately be happy with whatever part he gives me, as I trust his judgement implicitly (kinda, ha).

So, audition day comes around two days later and I go, of course. The way this gentleman does it, is he brings in every person who’s looking for a role, and has EVERYONE read for EVERY role! Except, you know, guys don’t read for female roles, and vice versa, unless it can be bent that way. Everyone knew what the initial three plays were--"The Red Carnation," by Glenn Hughes; "Portrait of a Madonna," by Tennessee Williams; and "The Boor," by Anton Chekov. However, the director comes in and announces to everyone that he’s added one more, but nobody should worry if they haven’t read it, since it’s a last minute addition. Someone asks what the play is. He answers, "The Valiant." Another drama! Now, I’ve seen this play, and it’s Really good, and Really dramatic, and now I’m Really nervous.

We go through the audition process and I read for every male role with various other people on other roles. We get to "The Valiant" and I read for it, knowing the plot and all, and hoping for this one part, but also knowing I did well on one or two other roles in some of the other plays. Four hours later, we finish. I’m emotionally exhausted from throwing my heart into something like ten roles over the course of the audition process. I go for a beer and go home and crash.

Under this kind of approach to auditions and casting, the next step is for the director to go mull over his notes, thoughts and feelings about the various kinds of chemistry he saw (and felt)with different casts he threw together during the readings; and about three weeks later he calls everyone back to hand out roles.

The day of casting arrives and I’m tired, sick and hung over. We’re sitting there in the seats of the theater as he reads off the casts for each play. He gets to about the third one and I hear, "The cast of "The Valiant" will be; Phil Circle as James Dyke..."

I about hit the floor. This was exactly the role I wanted! But, I knew I had big shoes to fill, because two other guys I’ve seen in this role (under the same director) are working in New York and L.A. now and had much more training than I’ve had. Careful what you wish for, ha. I am thrilled, excited and nervous. I’ve read the play through multiple times already, and we had our first read through yesterday. Tears were nearly shed by everyone in the cast by the end...that’s how intense a play it is. I hope you’ll come see this one. If you’ve seen either of the previous roles I played in "Plaza Suite" or "Porno Zombies," this is nothing at all like those roles. Those were very fun, over-the-top comedic characters--a smultzy Hollywood Producer in one, a Mad Scientist in the other. "The Valiant" is a brilliant and message-ridden drama, and the character I play is the focal point of the plot. Here’s the premise:

It’s set in 1920, at the State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, at 11pm. In one hour, a convicted murderer named James Dyke (that’s me) is sentenced to be hanged. A lot of mystery surrounds Dyke, including his motive for the murder, his past, and whether James Dyke is even his real name, among other things. The play opens with the Warden and Prison Chaplain discussing all these questions, both finding that the nerve of this doomed prisoner "really gets their goats." They bring him to the Warden’s office under various pretenses  and probe him for answers one last time, seeming to get nowhere. Eventually, a young woman comes to see Dyke--sent by the Governor himself--because she believes this murderer is her long lost brother Joe. After a discussion in which she tries to confirm this, she leaves, and James Dyke goes to be executed. There’s a lot I can’t tell you without revealing the subtleties of the play and the amazing and moving surprise ending; but I highly recommend you come see for yourself. We open June 5th at The Chicago Actors Studio, and the play is directed by none other than Edward Dennis Fogell.

Hosted By: Phil Circle
When: Saturday, Apr 12, 2008
at 9:00 PM
Where: Phyllis’ Musical Inn for Phil’s B-day!
1800 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States
Description:
Phil Circle’s B-Day!

Click Here To View Event
Notice that this one of four shows in the same week folks!

Ha ha ha! This is too funny! We were doing karaoke at The Chicago Actors Studio Holiday Party--that's me on the mic singing "Just A Gigolo". One of the more "interesting" students felt the urge to dance.

Check out this video: YOU GO GAIL!



Add to My Profile | More Videos

Well, it's not exactly a new song--I've had it on here before--but this is a full band live acoustic rendition of my song "Afterlife." I'm excited by how many people enjoy this song. There are shows where folks are singing along. It's very gratifying and moving.
This recording is from the band's October 21st performance on Chicago Acoustic Underground.
http://www.chicagoacoustic.net

A couple comments from that show:

Phil, you exemplify the Chicago singer/songwriter. I was proud to have you on.
-Michael Teach of CAU

And from a listener:

Mellifluous
1 : having a smooth rich flow
2 : filled with something (as honey) that sweetens

Smooth and sweet---Phil Circle's voice (speaking and singing) described to a "T". I am slowly returning to this plain after listening to this fantastic show.

What wonderful guitar playing! The last song transported me totally away from the Ops area where I work. Voices harmonizing, guitar..you described it Micheal... HAUNTING!!!

Holy CAU...You've done it once again. Chicago...an incroyable cache of talent.

And as an extra bonus, I thought I was hearing Firesign Theater once again.
"...my Spidey sense is tingling"
"That was your liver!"
I was lirerally ROTF LOL.
Ooops, since this is the internet it must be:
I was virtually ROTF LOL.

Not bad, huh?

It also turns out we had the highest number of first day downloads in the history of the show.

Anyway, I've put this one up for a free download here, and I'll be posting a track from our full band electric show at Republic, where we played back in November.

Woohoo!
Michael Teach runs a show called Chicago Acoustic Underground, out of his studio in Old Town. We went in awhile back, and it's been mixed and edited. You can go hear the band and I in all our glory on a Sunday early afternoon. The only electric instrument is the bass. We went acoustic for this appearance, what with the name of the show and all. This was actually a first for the whole band to lay off the amps. We had a blast and are pretty happy with the quality. Hope you'll be too.
Thanks to Michael for having us on and for providing yet another underground outlet for all the great music in Chicago. And thanks to Jeff Churchwell for referring him to me.

Here 'tis:

http://chicagoacoustic.net/content/blogsection/4/26/4/0/

Needless to say, I'd love for all of you to have a look at my videos on YouTube, but what you REALLY have to see is Paul Potts.
This guy is amazing.
I never watch shows like American Idol (although a semi-finalist sat in with me at a show in D.C. once) or Britain's Got Talent, or any of those shows. But I received an email with a link to Paul Potts' first appearance on Britains Got Talent, from Ed Fogell of The Chicago Actors Studio. So, I checked it out. I've put two videos of him amongst my Favorites on my YouTube page. Watch the 1st audition one, then the final.
Look at the judges' faces as he explains that he's going to sing opera. They clearly have already decided based upon his hefty exterior, crooked teeth, and job as a cell phone salesman, that he's not going to move on. Then, when he starts singing, enjoy the transformation.
My Pops woulda been proud of his fellow Welshman.

"To be born Welsh is to be born priviledged,
Not with silver spoon in mouth,
But with poetry in the blood,
And music in the soul."

Here's the link to my page:

http://www.youtube.com/philcircle

I was just looking over my blogs and realized it's been two months since my last entry. That's just too long, I'm thinking. So, here I sit typing away with not the slightest idea as to what I oughta write about. Hmmm...

Well, shows have been going well. Life has its ups and downs. I've been enjoying the acting. I'm very happy with the new line-up of my band--we rocked it at Republic with Ruby Harris. I can't wait to hear the recording! We've been asked back there after the holidays are over, too. Mmm...holidays. There it is.

I was sitting at the Grafton Pub last night and talking to a well-to-do socialist (oxy moron?) on my left (appropriately) and a guy who majored in Religion and Philosophy in college and now works for the American Library, on my right. Two really interesting guys. That's one thing I enjoy about the Grafton--it's always got thinking going on with the drinking. We discussed various displeasures we have with the current state of our nation, how religion is misused...you know the usual leftist cafe talk, ha. Interesting and sometimes contrasting views on all sides. One thing we all agreed on, tho: As much as we wouldn't mind getting out of here sometimes, we can't bring ourselves to. It wasn't in the nature of any of us to walk away from problems. We are far more interested, and even excited, with the prospect of sparking change.

I'm not fond of the holidays for many reasons, not the least of which is that I don't see my dear son, who's turning ten in January. One of my brothers--the one I'm closest to--lives in Florida. He's invited me to come down for the holidays. If I had the money, I might. I also have an old high school friend who brought up the possibility of coming out to New York at the same time. I sure wouldn't mind leaving Chicago and forgetting the many bad memories I have of holidays (there are good ones too), but I'm more inclined to stick it out. I have friends here who have been less fortunate, who have lost much more, or were never blessed with as much. I made three stops on Thanksgiving, and could've made a fourth. I'd say that's pretty lucky. I'm blessed with lots of dear friends. I can visit the out-of-staters anytime. There may be some sad days ahead, quiet and lonely nights; but I've been at this too long to run. I'll go when I know I've dealt with things here head-on. I just hope it snows.

I still want to punch myself in the face tho, for a promise I made to the night sky one evening when I was twenty: "I will undergo whatever hardship, deal with whatever vissisitude life can dish out, if only it allows me to pursue creativity and succeed in it!" Ugh. What the hell was I thinking?  ;)  See ya around town!

I was sitting at The Bucktown Pub, just a few blocks from The Chicago Actors Studio, where I teach. I've come to know all the bartenders and quite a few of the regulars. So, I'm talking to Emily as she serves me a beer and a shot and we're talking about acting. She acts, sings, directs, produces, and obviously serves at the bar. She mentioned a play she's directing and said I really looked right for the part of the mad scientist--I didn't know if I should be flattered or not--and asked me to come read for it. I agreed and went over to The Prop Theater and did a reading last week. After I was done, I hopped over to Chief O'Neill's, by the way--a great Irish Bar named for a famous Chicago Police Chief who kept alive thousands of Irish songs. Check the place out.

Anyway, I got a call from Emily yesterday and I got the part! I'm playing the role of Dr. Hadfield in "Porno Zombies." It's a very clever and funny socio-political comedy about a scientist (me) who develops a serum to bring the dead back to life, but with a heightened sex drive. So, he also runs an adult film business using his zombies, while being pursued by Detective Karla, bent on stopping his deranged experiments and sleeze merchanting.

The play opens October 11th and runs on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Watch my calendar on here for the exact run dates, and check back for possible additions.