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Andrew Colyer – December 2016 Update

4th Quarter 2016 – it flew by!  And there were also some things that happened in the latter half of September that didn’t make it into the last blog post.  As usual, I’ll hit the highlights with images.


Circuline recently contributed the track “Nautilus” from their second album Counterpoint to the compilation album One Love! Music For Relief, out now via There is Hope records.  There is Hope is a not-for-profit subsidiary of Melodic Revolution Records, founded by Nick Katona.

Circuline’s new album Counterpoint received an excellent review in the UK’s Classic Rock Society magazine!

“Confident in its vision…..a very particular style…..What we have here is drama – big, bombastic, epic progressive rock with everything turned up to 11.  The production is massive…..two excellent lead vocalists in Natalie Brown and Billy Spillane, so add Colyer’s third vocal and we have some very effective harmonies…..the music matches the production…..Colyer’s dominant keyboards are excellent throughout, recalling Keith Emerson particularly…..short instrumental vignettes are also nicely used…..high on quality and craft…..for those that like their prog powerful and dramatic, it’s a must listen.”

Circuline received a two-page Feature in PROG Magazine 69!  Following a 45-minute Skype interview with Andrew Colyer and Darin Brannon, rock journalist Rich Wilson wrote a great story about Circuline’s past, present, and future, including tales of Downing Grey, founding guitarist Bill Shannon’s departure, first album learning experiences, and the new album Counterpoint.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the shows on the 2016 Sonic Voyage Fest tour!

Circuline performed at the 2016 Progtoberfest in Chicago! We performed with Brand X, Carl Palmer, Security Project, The Fringe, and 23 other bands, including tributes to Keith Emerson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and King Crimson.  What fun!

Circuline joined Melodic Rock Records Recording Artist JADED PAST for a gig at the BEST MUSIC VENUE in Queens!  This was a rockin’ gig.  🙂

On Friday, November 18th, Circuline performed at Jersey City PS27, giving back to the music education community.  The band fielded questions from students and parents about practicing music, playing in a group, what it takes to be a professional musician, career options, and more.

Thank you so much to iO Pages Magazine (Netherlands) for the great review of Circuline’s Counterpoint in issue 138!

Thank you to Classic Rock Society Magazine (UK) for featuring the Counterpoint track “Stay (Peter Frankenstan)” on the New Species 27 CD Sampler, included with their November/December 2016 Issue!

Progression Magazine (U.S.) Issue 70 covers the 13th International Rites of Spring Festival (RoSfest), and gave Circuline’s Counterpoint a 3.5 star review!

RoSfest – “Jefferson Airplane gone proggy?  The smooth chemistry between co-lead vocalists Natalie Brown and Billy Spillane amidst soaring symphonic atmospheres evoked as much, especially in Brown’s Grace Slick-like phrasing…….played tightly despite recent lineup changes…..Bassist Harold Skeete, on emergency loan from Ad Astra, deftly negotiated difficult material and contributed a poignant rendition of ‘America the Beautiful’.  New guitar virtuosos Beledo shined with dextrous chops complementing the leads and fills of keyboardist Andrew Colyer…….Violinist Joe Deninzon guested late in the set”

Counterpoint Review – 3.5 stars – “Varied melodies and styles from musical theater and jazz to classic rock and traditional prog…..symphonically soaring…..moves through multiple passages both playful and serious, while conveying a lyrical theme…..multiple yet interdependent sonic perspectives…..”

Thank you to Jerry Ewing and all the staff at PROG Magazine (UK) for featuring the Counterpoint track “Stay (Peter Frankenstan)” on their “P50 Tales of the Future” Covermount CD Sampler, included with their December 2016 Issue 72!

I’m looking forward to seeing you in 2017!  Thank you for being here.

Andrew Colyer – Fall 2016 Update

WOW what a busy year so far!  My modern cinematic progressive rock band Circuline, is still making excellent progress, getting band coverage and great reviews in magazines, being interviewed and featured on FM and internet radio stations and websites, and being nominated for PROG Magazine’s Limelight award for best new band of the year (we placed in the top three)!  Circuline also had its CD release party at the New Jersey Prog House in June, and performed at Philadelphia’s Liberty Music Fest in August.  Maybe we’ll see you at one of our Sonic Voyage Fest shows this fall!

Great Circuline Counterpoint Review in PROG Issue 68circuline-progmagazine-review-julyaugust2016-sentfromnickyfireworks_1-resized-v1

Circuline Nominated for PROG Magazine Limelight Awardfb-limelight-circuline-nominee-1200x628

PROG Magazine Issue 67 – Features Circuline Three Times – Limelight Award nomination; News Feature – Album announcement; RoSfest Reviewprog-67-comp-v3

Progression Magazine Features Circuline in Keith Emerson Tribute Issueprogression-coverarticle-spring-2016-v2-resized-v1

Fireworks Magazine (UK) Interviews Circuline in Issue 74circuline-fireworksissue74-spring2016-coverarticle-v1

ION Indie Magazine Features Circuline
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Circuline performed at Philadelphia’s Liberty Music Fest
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Andrew Colyer in the Studio and Rehearsing with Circuline

This spring 2016 has been about my modern cinematic progressive rock band Circuline, finishing our second album and preparing for our spring tour, which includes the 13th International Rites of Spring festival (RoSfest).  I’ll let some photos tell the story.

Writing music for Circuline's second album.

Writing music for Circuline’s second album.

New in-ear monitors!

New in-ear monitors!

In The Cave writing Circuline's second album with Darin Brannon.

In The Cave writing Circuline’s second album with Darin Brannon.

Doing programming while on winter vacation in Florida.

Doing programming while on winter vacation in Florida.

Beginning Circuline rehearsals at Enigma Dance Hall in Upstate New York.

Beginning Circuline rehearsals at Enigma Dance Hall in Upstate New York.

Hanging out backstage with Meat Loaf!

Hanging out backstage with Meat Loaf!

Circuline rehearsal at Enigma Dance Hall in upstate New York.

Circuline rehearsal at Enigma Dance Hall in upstate New York.

Darin Brannon trying to be cool. I could use some tips myself.

Darin Brannon trying to be cool. I could use some tips myself.

The final live touring keyboard rig for Circuline.

The final live touring keyboard rig for Circuline.

Andrew Colyer – New ROLI Seaboard

After putting a deposit down on a ROLI keyboard at the 2013 NAMM show, the keyboard finally arrived! Here’s the unboxing!

You’ll see and hear this ROLI Seaboard being used on upcoming Circuline albums and gigs, ColyerBrown gigs, TV/film soundtracks, and my original music. Thanks for watching!

Andrew Colyer – Fall 2015 Update

Hey, it’s been a busy few months – here’s the update!

On August 8th, ColyerBrown made their debut appearance – at a music festival in New Hampshire!

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ColyerBrown made their public debut at the annual ValeriFest in New Hampshire!

ColyerBrown's first gig - a music festival!

ColyerBrown’s first gig – a music festival!

Work continues on Circuline’s second album, for a March 2016 release date.  This consumes most of my musical life at the moment.  Check out the pics below…..

Andrew Colyer and Darin Brannon of Circuline, writing and recording in The Cave.

Andrew Colyer and Darin Brannon of Circuline, writing and recording in The Cave.

One of the workstations in The Cave.

One of the workstations in The Cave.

Exploring sound patches in the Korg Kronos.

Exploring sound patches in the Korg Kronos.

"How does that new Kronos sound?"

“How does that new Kronos sound?”

Looking forward to producing more music for you in 2016!
~

Andrew Colyer – June 2015 Update

June was a busy month!  I was asked to join a new band, Ryche Chlanda’s Flying Dreams.  So that entailed programming, practicing, and rehearsing for the above live video, which was filmed on Sunday, June 28th at the Spin Doctor’s Sonic Boom Studios in New Jersey.

Sonic Boom Studios, New Jersey

Sonic Boom Studios, New Jersey

I couldn't help but take a selfie in the studio!

I couldn’t help but take a selfie in the studio!

The view from behind the keyboard rig. Ron Bienstock on the bass.

The view from behind the keyboard rig. Ron Bienstock on the bass.

Flying Dreams, June 2015. Ron Bienstock, Andrew Colyer, Ryche Chlanda, Craig Buchman.

Flying Dreams, June 2015. Ron Bienstock, Andrew Colyer, Ryche Chlanda, Craig Buchman.

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In addition, my modern ProgRock band Circuline was back in the studio, beginning the composing and recording for our second album!  Circuline’s second album has a March 2016 release date.  Just in time for 2016 touring!  Check out the photos from The Cave below….

Circuline's Andrew Colyer, composing and recording in The Cave.

Circuline’s Andrew Colyer, composing and recording in The Cave.

Darin Brannon in The Cave.

Darin Brannon setting up Circuline recording tracks in The Cave.

"How does this sound? Do we need more Mellotron?"

“How does this sound? Do we need more Mellotron?”

Circuline's Bill Shannon in The Cave.

Circuline’s Bill Shannon in The Cave.

"If I play Moog bass with my left hand, and a Yamaha CS-80 patch with my right hand......"

“If I play Moog bass with my left hand, and a Yamaha CS-80 patch with my right hand……”

Looking forward to seeing you at a show!  Thanks for being here.

Andrew Colyer – 2015 Spring Update

What beautiful warm sunny spring days we’ve had here in upstate New York!  Only 90 miles north of Manhattan, an hour south of Albany, and 30 minutes east of Woodstock,
we’ve had 17 days straight of sunshine and no precipitation.  It’s been awesome!

We’ve all been ridiculously busy with my modern cinematic ProgRock band, Circuline. Besides launching the band’s debut album “Return”, we had an east coast “mini-tour” opening for 20-year progressive rock veterans Glass Hammer – Friday, April 24th (Bearsville Theater; Woodstock, NY); Saturday, April 25th (New Jersey ProgHouse; Dunellen, NJ); and Sunday, April 26th (Orion Studios, Baltimore, MD).

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Here are some shots from the Bearsville show:

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The modern cinematic progressive rock band Circuline, performing at the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock, NY – April 2015

Bill Shannon (guitar), Natalie Brown, Billy Spillane, and Andrew Colyer of Circuline performing at the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock, NY - April 2015

Bill Shannon (guitar), Natalie Brown, Billy Spillane, and Andrew Colyer of the modern cinematic progressive rock band Circuline performing at the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock, NY – April 2015

Back in February, “behind the scenes”, Circuline was selected to be the official “backup” band of the Rites of Spring Festival (RoSfest) in Gettysburg, PA.  If any of the 10 bands had not been able to play, Circuline would have made the bill!  While concert promoter George Roldan didn’t need to make that call, it put Circuline in a very good position for 2016.

Andrew Colyer with Dan MacDonald (Elephants of Scotland) at RoSfest 2015

Andrew Colyer with Dan MacDonald (Elephants of Scotland) at RoSfest 2015

Andrew Colyer with radio show host Marty Dorfman (House of Prog) at RoSfest 2015

Andrew Colyer with radio show host Marty Dorfman (House of Prog) at RoSfest 2015

Circuline has more upcoming gigs in May – please check out the Circuline website!
I’m already working on my next CD of original music, and have some other cool and exciting things in the works, that I’m not at liberty to talk about yet……stay tuned!

Thank you.

Andrew Colyer invited for Frank Wyatt’s Pedal Giant Animals ~ Zeitgeist Project

A new progressive music project, Zeitgeist is a collaborative music endeavor featuring members of the progressive rock bands Happy The Man, Oblivion Sun, and the Pedal Giant Animals project. The recording project started out as an idea for a Happy The Man reunion CD, but evolved to include many other musicians so another Pedal Giant Animals project was born! The music will be produced in the studios of the respective artists and at Crafty Hands Studio using state of the art recording technologies as well as some old school hardware and techniques. This unique gathering of such great musicians promises to deliver a beautiful and exciting musical experience.

The Artists:
Frank Wyatt: Compositions, Keyboards, Engineering, Project Management
Mike Beck: Percussion
Joe Bergamini: Drums
Bill Brasso: Drums, Executive Producer
Andrew Colyer: Keyboards, Orchestrations
Cliff Fortney: Vocals
David Hughes: Bass Guitar
Rick Kennell: Bass Guitar
Chris Mack: Drums
Bill Plummer: Keyboards
Peter Princiotto: Orchestration, Bass Guitar, Sitar
Ron Riddle: Drums
David Rosenthal: Keyboards
Kit Watkins: Keyboards
Stan Whitaker: Guitars and Vocals

Please pledge your support over at Kickstarter!

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