Circle of Sound

CIRCLE OF SOUND

Soumik Datta : acoustic & electric Sarod
Bernhard Schimpelsberger : drums & percussion 
Fiona Bevan : vocal + bass 
Rosabella Gregory : keyboards + vocal 
Danny Keane: cello
Max Baillie: violin

Soumik Datta (described as one of the biggest new music talents in Britain by UK Vogue), with his unique, self-built electro-acoustic Sarod and Bernhard Schimpelsberger with his custom-made hybrid drum kit have been wowing audiences around the globe with their innovative fusion of deep Indian ragas, urban beats, projected visuals and pop storytelling sensibility.

Circle of Sounds first album, featuring Talvin Singh, led to the duo being hailed as the vanguard of British Asian music by the BBC. 

The bands new album Anti Hero pushes the boundary of their sound, which has continually developed with their constant touring, bolstering the duo with strings and electronics, creating an epic soundscape for the songs of Soumik and guest singer Fiona Bevan (co-writer with Ed Shearan of the number 1 One Direction hit Little Things).  

Filmic, widescreen, technicolour: all adjectives that could describe the new direction of Circle of Sounds work. The themes that follow the story of the fictional Anti Hero of the title, are musically ambitious, musicianly, exploritative; we could be talking about a 21st century prog project. With its super hero theme of flight followed by fall, is Anti Hero a indo-rock opera? Whats certain is that this is new, innovative, engaging, intelligent music making of the highest quality.

Soumik and Bernhard work with some of the finest musicians on the planet (including Akram Khan, Talvin Singh, Ravi Shankars daughter Anoushka) and theyre joined here by two of the greatest, Anoushka and Nitin who contribute to one track each to the album. Musically the tracks range from traditional Indian motifs to deep electronics and rockist posturing, driven by Bernhards unique drum sound (Pulse magazine suggested he plays the drums like a table virtuoso). Soumik demonstrates his classical chops one minute, then launches into solos worthy of an indie rock guitar god. 

For those in the know (and in these days of the globalisation of culture, Circle of Sounds small town fan base extends from India to the Middle east, to London to Austria and beyond, wherever the internet takes them), CoS offer a vision of the future. this is not world music, or fusion, but a genuine meeting of minds and musical styles. Its very much London melting pot, but also very much a global phenomena. Its a meeting of musical heritages each on their own terms. Its also a damn good show!