Genre-Bending Band Circle the Earth Thrills Audiences with Memorable Songs and Explosive Live Performances
Photo Credit: Donna Dymally Photography
Circle the Earth is a dynamic and eclectic band whose members came together through a combination of serendipity and mutual admiration for each other's talents. This solid foundation allowed Circle the Earth to create emotionally engaging pop-rock music with an underlying positive message.
The band is now made up of Michael McBay on bass, Kazuki Tokaji on guitar, Sandro Feliciano on drums, Sandy Chao Wang on the keyboard, and a new vocalist, Aviva Scott, whose powerful and captivating presence has brought a new level of energy and cohesion. With Aviva on board, Circle the Earth has truly found its stride, ready to captivate audiences with a unique blend of musical genres and powerful live shows.
Michael McBay, besides playing bass, is the band manager and answered our questions about Circle the Earth.Â
How did the band members meet, and what brought you all together?
The band began when I met drummer Sandro Feilciano 14 years ago through a mutual musician friend. Keyboardist Sandy Chao Wang joined after answering a Craigslist ad, and guitarist Kazuki Tokaji was referred by another guitarist from Musicians Institute. Our common goal is to create emotional, engaging pop-rock music with a positive message.
Photo Credit: Donna Dymally Photography
Several veterans in the music industry, with impressive track records, noticed the immense time, energy, dedication, and passion poured into Circle the Earth. Recognizing the band's quality, they confronted me, insisting that the project would fail without a new lead singer who matched the band's strength. They stressed my responsibility to these talented musicians, emphasizing the need for a strong leader. Reluctantly, I followed their advice, leading us to Aviva Scot. She underwent three auditions, coached by industry professionals between each one. By her final audition, her powerful, convincing performance made her unrecognizable from her earlier tries. Aviva's talent was evident, and she immediately re-recorded all lead vocal tracks and replaced the previous vocalist in our videos and photoshoots. Her work ethic, talent, and energy have truly completed our project.Â
Circle the Earth blends worldwide musical genres into an eclectic rock stew. You have been praised for synthesizing fiery pop anthems with everything from shred-heavy hard rock and emo to hip-hop. How do you decide which elements to incorporate into your music? Can you talk about your approach to genre fusion?
The musical tastes of the band members overlap significantly, so we typically agree on most ideas. Once the core of a song is established, each member adds their unique "extra spice" from their diverse musical backgrounds, enhancing the arrangements and delivery.
We don’t approach genre fusion deliberately; it happens naturally due to our varied musical backgrounds and tastes.Â
Circle the Earth has been described as having polished pop rock that sparkles with a bit of 80’s glam. How do you balance modern elements with retro influences in your music?
We balance modern and retro elements through our songwriting process. We typically employ outside songwriters who understand current sounds, pairing them with our guitarist Kazuki to ensure a fresh approach. Kazuki's grounding in melodic rock helps us create demos that are both current and classic. The band then adapts these demos, resulting in fresh, energetic, and engaging compositions with memorable melodies and harmonies.
Circle the Earth's repertoire of songs is as diverse as the band members' ethnicity. How does your cultural diversity influence your songwriting and performance style?
Our musical tastes overlap significantly, leading to easy consensus on musical and performance decisions. Once a song's core is established, each member adds their unique background, enhancing the arrangements. Performance-wise, we are all energetic and engaging, and with Aviva as our lead vocalist, our live shows are more captivating than ever.
What are your personal musical influences, and how do they shape the band's sound?
Each member draws from unique influences, including Paramore, Too Close to Touch, Avril Lavigne, Whitney Houston, Heart, No Doubt, Journey, Rush, and Yes. These diverse influences contribute to our overall sound, creating a rich and varied musical tapestry.
Photo Credit: Donna Dymally Photography
What new projects is Circle the Earth currently working on?
We are completing the replacement of lead vocal tracks on all previous and upcoming releases. We recently filmed a multi- camera live performance at S.I.R. Studios, which will be mixed and edited for upcoming releases. Our next single, “Numb," is scheduled for release on August 6th, followed by "Stuck in the Middle" on August 17th, and "On the Way Down," coinciding with another showcase at S.I.R. Studios.
How has the transition to a new vocalist impacted the band’s dynamic and creative process?
The impact of our new vocalist, Aviva Scott, is indescribable. She is dynamic, captivating, charismatic, and dedicated, with a humble personality. Her presence has elevated our live performances significantly. The transition process was intense but rewarding, with Aviva tirelessly learning, rehearsing, recording, filming, and completing photoshoots and choreography. Her strength, stamina, enthusiasm, and joy have invigorated the entire band.
What are some of the biggest challenges you continue to face in managing the band, and how do you overcome them?
Managing an act at this level presents multiple challenges. The industry often focuses on the lead singer rather than the entire band. We also need to identify and eliminate dishonest individuals attracted to our project. Day-to-day operational issues, such as scheduling, salaries, publishing splits, and contracts, are also challenges. Fortunately, our personal alignment minimizes the stress of these issues.
What sets Circle the Earth apart from other bands, especially with the addition of Aviva?
The addition of Aviva has been universally recognized as a significant improvement. Her bi-racial background, combined with our multicultural band, beautifully emphasizes our message of inclusion and diversity. Aviva's presence makes our performances more captivating and aligns perfectly with our vision.
Your live performances are known to be explosive and energegetic. What do you think makes your live shows so special?
Each member is an outstanding live performer, and Aviva's captivating persona elevates our shows. The energy and explosiveness of our live performances have intensified with her addition, making our shows truly special.
Photo Credit:Donna Dymally Photography
Can you share a memorable moment or funny story from your time together as a band?
Last Easter, I surprised the band by bursting into rehearsal dressed in a full-length Easter bunny suit. I had hidden Easter bonus checks around the studio, leading the band on a hilarious Easter egg hunt. It was a memorable and fun experience for everyone.
What message do you want to share with our Heart of Hollywood Magazine readers?
Circle the Earth's underlying message is one of spirituality, positivity, integrity, inclusion, diversity, and a spirit of love and kindness. The light of the God of all true religions and spiritual paths is absolutely real. We want to share our overwhelming sense of optimism, despite contrary conditions in the world. Central to that are concepts like love, hope, sincerity, integrity, tolerance, and compassion.
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