Science suggests that celestial objects in orbit don’t actually lose or gain much momentum, but both Circles Around the Sun and Mikaela Davis & Southern Star are defying this notion.
Taking a big lap on a double bill titled “together again for the first time,” these two like-minded outfits from opposite coasts recently announced a co-headlining tour that instantly became must-see shows in cities scattered across the Northeast and the Midwest.
The anticipated run recently kicked off in the nation’s capital, and The Atlantis was sold-out and jam-packed well before Davis and her talented crew took the still-new stage within the 450-person capacity venue.
Listen to “Gloaming Way” and “After Sunrise,” two news singles from Circles Around The Sun and Mikaela Davis & Southern Star, via Spotify:
A gifted harpist and vocalist from Upstate New York backed by a polished band out of Rochester, Mikaela’s been swift on the rise the past few years and, with the release of last summer’s self-titled Kill Rock Stars premier, she and her group have continued to draw larger crowds to their sets each night out.
Southern Star is Alex Coté on drums, Kurt Johnson on pedal and lap steel and electric guitar, Cian McCarthy on electric guitar and saxophone, and Shane McCarthy on bass. It’s a unique blend of musical backgrounds, and with Mikaela leading the way, the group dazzled The Atlantis with tracks like “Cinderella” and “Promise” from the latest record as well as the captivating “Pure Divine Love” from Davis’ 2018 debut, Delivery.
Mikaela’s made a few previous appearances with CATS, as the LA-based group is affectionately known, including sit-ins at major festivals. Most notably, she was a guest vocalist on the title track to CATS’ fourth and newest album, Language, which dropped last spring.
But the bonds are growing stronger, as late last month and leading up to the tour, CATS and Mikaela co-released two new singles together, “Gloaming Way” and “After the Sunrise,” and announced a forthcoming EP taking its name from the latter.
Watch the official music video for CATS and Mikaela Davis’ single, “After Sunrise,” via the Kill Rock Stars YouTube channel:
Circles Around the Sun has its own compelling story that helped launch the group onto the groovy mission it’s been on since its genesis in 2015.
The result of an hours-long session featuring late guitarist and songwriter Neal Casal, bassist Dan Horne (Cass McCombs, Grateful Shred, The Skiffle Players), keyboardist Adam McDougall (The Black Crows, Chris Robinson Brotherhood),l and drummer Mark Levy (The Congress), the first Circles Around the Sun recording — Interludes for the Dead — was played pre-show and during set breaks at The Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well shows in Santa Clara and Chicago, providing tremendous exposure for CATS before it had performed a single live gig.
By 2018, CATS had become a favorite on the jam band scene and released its second album, Let It Wander. But the following year, unthinkable tragedy struck, as Casal — a respected and prolific artist who worked in film, TV and more — took his own life.
It was grievous loss not only for CATS, but the greater music and movie community that adored Casal and all the different projects he’d helped bring to life. It came at a crucial time, as the band had just released an EP with drummer Joe Russo and seemed poised to find a different stride.
Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) filled in for the 2020 shows that saw CATS play in both DC and Baltimore on a tour promoting the self-titled album featuring Casal and released after his death. Due to scheduling conflicts and with pandemic ultimately redefining how bands planned and played shows, Circles found itself stalled — but only temporarily.
Before his passing, Casal left a note to his bandmates, reportedly asking them to fill his spot with Shannon, whom he’d befriended just a few years prior when John Lee was opening for CATS as a member of Grateful Shred.
As the pandemic’s grip on live music loosened, Shannon took his mentor’s place, bringing with him a love for the neo-disco sound CATS had been refining since its start. And with the release of Language last spring, Casal’s wish was effectively granted as John Lee officially firmed up the CATS roster, bringing a vitality and thoughtfulness to both the stage and studio.
The Atlantis hosted an evening that brought this band’s existence full circle on Feb. 29. The night was a commemorative showcase of a crew that has had to overcome numerous hurdles to persevere and live on in this form.
Listen to Circles Around the Sun’s fourth studio album, Language, via Spotify:
Performing alongside close friends and new collaborators and embodying Casal’s spirit, even using some of his gear, CATS displayed the band’s funky propulsion and delivered with lush grooves, pulling lively compositions from all four recordings and inviting Mikaela on stage to encore with the single “After Sunrise” and then “Language” to close out an unforgettable night.
Circles Around the Sun Setlist
Wobble
One for Chuck
Money’s No Option
Scarlotta’s Magnolias
Detroit Dos
Outer Boroughs
Away Team
Encore
After Sunrise (with Mikaela Davis)
Language (with Mikaela Davis)
Mikaela Davis & Southern Star Setlist
Cinderella
In My Groove
Home in the Country
Get Gone
Leave It Alone
Promise
Don’t Stop Now
Pure Divine Love
Below are digital images of Circles Around The Sun and Mikaela Davis & Southern Star performing at The Atlantis in Washington DC on Feb. 28, 2024. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
Circles Around the Sun
Mikaela Davis & Southern Star
