Circle of Giants is moe.’s 14th studio release, marking a monumental moment as they celebrate 35 years as a band and launch a National Tour! A testament to their resilience, evolution, and boundless creativity, the album arrives alongside an exclusive studio performance of their lead single, “Ups and Downs,” capturing the band’s raw energy and musicianship in a live setting. “It feels good to celebrate after the amount of shit we’ve been through,” says bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak with a good-natured laugh. Guitarist/vocalist Al Schnier adds: “We have always found our way forward because we have each other.”
Chuck Garvey, guitarist/vocalist and co-founder, concludes: “It’s this brotherhood and our extended moe. family that always gets us through.” Blending blues-infused rock, ethereal psychedelia, and expansive improvisation, Circle of Giants channels personal loss into songs filled with grace, humor, and hard-fought wisdom. With the addition of keyboardist Nate Wilson, who officially joined the band in 2023, the album marks a new chapter for moe., capturing their most collaborative and dynamic sound yet. Glide Magazinepraised the album, writing, “Circle of Giants captures moe. in their most collaborative state with plenty of creative energy left in the tank.” Official Video for “Ups and Downs”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fcHM3QN0kc Circle of Giants is a reflection of perseverance in the face of adversity.
As the band prepared for their 30th-anniversary celebration, bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak triumphed over cancer, only for the pandemic to bring everything to a standstill. Just as they regained momentum, co-founder Chuck Garvey suffered a life-altering stroke. Against the odds, Garvey made a remarkable recovery and returned to the stage, only for Derhak to face another devastating personal loss with the passing of his son Eddie, to whom Circle Of Giants is dedicated: “For my son and friend who never did anything small.
His hugs were massive and reaffirming. He remains a giant to all who knew him.” As a creative catharsis, moe. reconvened at Derhak’s barn studio in Vermont after the initial sessions to record more material, including Wilson’s song “Giants.” Additional recording for the album occurred at The Bear’s Den in Freeport, Maine.
In support of Circle of Giants, moe. is embarking on an extensive U.S. tour, bringing their high-energy performances to fans across the country. Stops include The Fillmore in San Francisco, Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, and The Eastern in Atlanta. Later in the year, they’ll headline major festivals including Mountain Jam and Northlands, sharing the stage with acts like Goose, Khruangbin, and The String Cheese Incident.
