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Watch the band’s studio performance of ‘Ups and Downs’ HERE; stream ‘Circle of Giants’ on all platforms HERE
Press Release
Today, legendary jam band moe. officially released their highly anticipated new album, “Circle of Giants” (ATO Records), marking a monumental moment as they celebrate 35 years as a band.
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.
“Circle of Giants” is now available on all major streaming platforms, CD, and as a special-edition vinyl release.
“It feels good to celebrate after the amount of shit we’ve been through,” said bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak with a good-natured laugh. Guitarist/vocalist Al Schnier added, “We have always found our way forward because we have each other.” Chuck Garvey, guitarist/vocalist and co-founder, concluded, “It’s this brotherhood and our extended moe. family that always gets us through.”
WATCH:
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.
Founded 35 years ago at the University at Buffalo, moe. emerged from freewheeling jam sessions bursting with genre-defying creativity and tongue-in-cheek humor. Since then, their tireless work ethic, DIY resourcefulness, and fiercely loyal fanbase – the Famoe.ly – have propelled them to become one of the most enduring and influential bands in the jam scene.
“Circle of Giants” is a reflection of perseverance in the face of adversity. As the band prepared for its 30th-anniversary celebration, Derhak triumphed over cancer, only for the pandemic to bring everything to a standstill. Just as they regained momentum, 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.
Channeling their grief into music, moe. turned their pain into a collection brimming with emotion and musical brilliance.
“Making this record started off very joyfully, but then we experienced a severely traumatic event,” Schnier said. “The way through the darkness was to do what we do: make music.”
With fresh energy and no shortage of new material, the band entered Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, Vermont, working with longtime engineer Ben Collette (Phish, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Snarky Puppy).
“My wife and I made a decision to be honest and open up a dialogue about mental illness to benefit others who may be contemplating taking their lives,” Derhak shared.
As a creative catharsis, moe. reconvened at Derhak’s barn studio after the initial sessions to record more material, including Wilson’s song “Giants.” The album concludes with the imaginatively arranged “Living Again,” a Schnier-penned track with a sweeping narrative and expansive group improvisation.
In support of “Circle of Giants,” moe. is currently 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. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://moe.org/tour.
moe. (Photo credit: Paul Citone // courtesy of Prospect PR)
More about moe.
Over the decades, moe. has headlined major festivals such as Bonnaroo and Fuji Rock, performed alongside icons such as The Allman Brothers Band, The Who, and members of the Grateful Dead, and spearheaded their own festivals, including snoe.down and moe.down. With an unwavering commitment to creativity, community, and musical exploration, moe. continues to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in live music.
Stay connected: https://moe.org/ I https://twitter.com/moeperiod I https://www.facebook.com/moe.org I https://www.instagram.com/moetheband/ I https://www.youtube.com/user/gotmoe I https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/moe/535841.