Artist: Circus Envy
(Photo: Stephen Quinn)
Years Active:
2005 – 2013
Personnel:
Leigh Hirst (Vocals)
James Paddison (Bass / Keyboards / Vocals)
Andy Clark (Guitars)
Mike Richmond (Bouzouki / Mandolin / Banjo / Guitar)
Mick Harding (Drums / Percussion / Vocals)
See also:
About
Circus Envy were an alternative folk band formed in Hull in 2005, three of the band having previously worked together in Still Life. Featuring a line-up of primarily acoustic instruments, they added a traditional sensibility to their intricately crafted harmony-led modern songs with use of bouzouki, mandolin and cajon.
Debut album, Take Me Home was released in 2008 on Blue Book Records, leading to the band being selected to play at the Beverley and Oxford Folk Festivals. High profile support gigs including Jim Moray, Megson, Martin Simpson and Jackie Leven cemented the band’s reputation as a live act.
The band’s EP, A New Dawn, produced by Stu Hanna and featuring guest appearances by Sam Sweeney (Bellowhead) and Hannah James, was released in 2010. A second album, the excellent Secrets followed in 2011, again on Blue Book Recordings. The album garnered plenty of radio airplay, including coverage on Radio 2 by Mike Harding. A download-only 2-track Christmas EP (featuring “Last Christmas” and “Lord Of The Dance” was released in 2012.
In 2013, Circus Envy announced they were to go on indefinite hiatus (whilst remaining friends), with no further plans to record or play live. At the time of writing the band remains inactive.
(Circus Envy / Hull Music Archive)
Discography
Albums
Take Me Home (CD) – Blue Book Recordings, 2008
Secrets (CD) – Blue Book Recordings, 2011
Singles / EPs
A New Dawn EP (CD) – self released, 2010
Last Christmas / Lord Of The Dance (download only) – 2012
