Page 21 - SPIRE Digital Version JAN-APR 2024 8th Issue

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams are JOZIAH: Hey and these guys are our long
somewhat pioneers of Americana. When lost relatives. Every tour feels like a family
writing you seem to put your minds and hearts reunion. During our last UK tour in 2022,
together. Your lyrics are intriguing and cover a we were voted the ‘Best Band’ at several
vast array of topics. You have such an festivals, including the legendary Fairport
interesting musical styling, mash-up if you Cropredy Festival, where we were the
will. Please give us a glimpse of the band’s only US artists invited to perform. They
musical writing process. How do you dream up gave us a 75 minutes on the Main Stage -
your lyrics? Are they written first or created we performed at ‘tea time’ in front of
from the music? 30,000 people!

TINK: Joziah is the songwriter for the Your shows are more than a concert.
Slambovian Circus of Dreams. he is all about They’re an event, an experience, an
the lyrics and the stories. A song usually starts adventure! Please, let our readers who
from contemplation of a particular topic and have never consumed the magic of a
then lyrics, rhythms and melody flow from Slambovian Circus of Dreams concert
there. know what to expect!
JOZIAH: I think of the process like this - I bring
the Christmas tree, and then Tink, Sharkey and TINK: The stage is a sacred place for us.
the guys decorate it and light it up! We always bring our best quirky feast of
music to a show. We also appreciate and
SLAMBOVIAN each audience brings something different
respect the audience that comes to see us,

to a show. The shows that are especially
transcendent are largely due to the
audience expectations. The ritual of
gathering together with fellow travelers is
CIRCUS OF deep in all of our DNA, and the

interconnection between the band and
audience is the shared experience that is
the ‘Circus of Dreams’!

Individually, what were the first records
DREAMS Click to follow! PHOTO: Rich Russo that each of you purchased? Your first
concerts? Who do you listen to today?
L-R: Tink Lloyd, RJ McCarty, Joziah Longo, Matthew Abourezk,
Sharkey McEwen
JOZIAH: I was given the first Dylan album
They love you in the UK! Since 2008 The
when I was 12 years old by my older
Slambovian Circus of Dreams have been
invited to play every prestigious music festival
in England. Please give us a glimpse into
Greenwich village with her New Jersey
BFF, Patti Smith back in the day!).
performing at these festivals. What is the cousin Patsy (who btw ran away to
BY WOODROW BAVOTABY WOODROW BAVOTA
BY WOODROW BAVOTA connection that endears you so much to them? Growing up in the center of Philadelphia, I
started going to concerts at the Electric
Out of Sleepy Hollow, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams appeared. A magical TINK: I think they ‘get’ us because our music is Factory at a really young age. I saw all the
mixture of Surreal Americana, Alt-Folk, Rootsy Psychedelica, Classic Rock with a heavily influence by the Beatles and the British legends of rock’n’roll there - one night
bit of philosophy. These merry minstrels spread their joy from coast to coast and Invasion (and early Dylan). Add some Syd Keith Moon pulled me up on stage to keep
across the pond to enlighten music festivals near and far. Josiah Longo (lead vocals, Barrett era Pink Floyd feel and a dash of Bowie me from being crushed by the surging
guitar, harmonica) Sharkey McEwen (lead guitar, backing vocals, mandolin) and and it creates a lot of common language and audience and sat me down to the right of
John Entwhisle for the remainder of the
then wrapped that in our very psycedelic
Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, flute, piccolo, theremin) are the creators. Their music Americana package and I think it’s just a lot of show . The Who were one of my earliest
is exciting, edgy, mysteriously haunting, thought provoking and an amazing amount fun for them. faves because of that!
of fun.
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