First off, where are you all from? How’d you get started as a band?
I started making music solo before meeting Sean and then Nelson in NYC. The band had this natural evolution with the addition of each person that I think has finally started to accumulate to Public Circuit with the release of our new record, Modern Church.
What are some of your biggest musical influences?
I think our easy answers are like NYC acts like LCD Soundsystem, or like Minor Threat, Black Flag…for me (Ethan) this new record was really inspired by Abe Vigoda’s 2010 record Crush. Overall, we all feel heavily influenced by a lot of the new things constantly forming around us I think.
How big is the 80s influence for your sound? What is it about that era that speaks to you?
I mean the late 70s and 80s are undoubtedly very seminal to electronic music and many bands that we love, but I wouldn’t say the 80s are a big influence at all. I think they used to be and I think some of our music can be compared to a lot of stuff from that era (rightfully so), but I think you will start seeing us move further from that with future releases. The goal with the three of us has never been to recreate the 80s, but to create our own thing however it may be that we get there I suppose.
Any other artists currently out there doing things that catch your attention?
There’s some really great people putting out music right now: Ira Glass, The Wants, Alix Fernz, Crate.
Congrats on the new album Modern Church! How does it feel having it out in the world? How’s the response been?
It’s too soon to ask me this. Touring the record constantly has been very cool, but I don’t think any of us have had a chance to step back and really soak it in just yet. I can say that this is the first true Public Circuit record, and we are all excited to have it out.
What about religion inspired this project?
With the encroaching takeover of Christian nationalism in America, this album has seemingly been given a new life. Not that this album is inherently specific to one religion or another—the modern church is loosely all the frail objects and notions that humans choose to put faith in. But with AI Jesus on the rise in this country – the album feels more politically poignant…and I’m fine with that.
Is there a consensus favorite song? And why?
“Damager” – it’s a banger
Do you have any hot takes about the current state of music?
I really dislike the notion of having to book same “genre” bills or the need of wanting to label music into categories. Not that labels are bad in music, but I just want to play shows with cool bands; who cares where they are supposed to categorically fall. Bring back mixed bills.
For you, what does being fearless mean?
No clue, but fuck AI and drums are the best instrument.
