Toronto’s Howlin’ Circus Have Released Their New Single “Innocence”
Howlin’ Circus will release their new album Creature on Oct 27.
In the heart of these tumultuous and divisive times, emerges a musical force that pulsates with the unyielding spirit of rock’n’roll. Meet Howlin’ Circus, a transcendent Middle Eastern-inspired psychedelic rock project masterfully orchestrated by the visionary Canadian-Iraqi musician, Jafar Sandouk.
With his gritty, powerful, and defiant lyrics, Sandouk fearlessly blurs the boundaries of genres, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry that unveils the devastating personal impact of Islamophobia and white supremacy in the post-9/11 era. Yet, his music goes beyond mere social commentary; it delves deep into the heart of humanity, exploring the world’s sharp decline in empathy.
Howlin’ Circus’ latest single release, “Innocence,” serves as a testament to Sandouk’s audacious creativity. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Ronettes, he infuses the track with a captivating drum beat and mesmerizing, almost spooky organs. The bold Arabic-style guitar riff adds a unique twist, demonstrating Sandouk’s willingness to embrace diverse influences and boldly challenge the norms. As he describes the creative process behind the song, Sandouk proudly declares, “Who’s to say you can’t do that?”
On the horizon looms the much-anticipated album, Creature, set to be unleashed on October 27. An enchanting ode to the multifaceted roles we must assume to navigate in a world designed for the privileged few. With poignant lyricism, Sandouk’s opus reflects on the narratives imposed on us by others, often aimed at dehumanizing our very existence. Yet, in this resonant musical journey, Sandouk encourages us to seize control of our own stories, celebrating the essence of what makes us human.
Creature stands as an unapologetic celebration of individuality, refusing to be confined by society’s preconceived notions. Drawing inspiration from Sandouk’s own rich cultural heritage and life experiences, the album is a testament to the power of music to bridge divides and challenge the status quo.
In a world craving authenticity and empathy, Howlin’ Circus beckons us to embrace the boundless diversity of human experience, transcending barriers of language, culture, and belief. Jafar Sandouk’s musical endeavor pulsates with a rock’n’roll heartbeat, igniting a spark of hope and unity amid the chaotic noise of our modern era.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Dearest Canadian Beats readers, my name is Jafar and this is my rock’n’roll band Howlin’ Circus.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Innocence is a kinda fun, spooky, garage rock, psychedelic melange with hints of some of my Middle Eastern roots. It’s about the meaning of innocence, and who gets to decide who is innocent. It’s taken from the upcoming second album, Creature, out on October 27.
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
I was doing a lot of healing and unraveling of what went on in my childhood, and what happened to my parents and their parents and all of our ancestors. It can be painful but writing Creature did free up a bit more room in my heart.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
If you join the mailing list at howlincircus.com you’ll get ticket info.
What’s your goal for 2023?
My goal was to make this album and I’m really proud of how it turned out. The next thing is to finish the year with a couple more new songs for the next album, hopefully, have a few more shows for the tour booked, and ideally get out to Europe again in 2024.