Calloway Circus Talks New Music, Industry Advice, and Collaborating with Awaken I Am’s Jimmy Alexander

Featuring lyrical themes ranging from unconditional love to the importance of self-care, Calloway Circus’ upcoming record, Entropy is the perfect soundtrack for all your Valentine’s Day festivities. 

Set for release on February 14th, the band’s new LP mixes genres of Alternative-Pop, Rock, and electronic beats, boasting the most mature and diverse sound of the young duo’s career. And with new songs such as “Gray” earning an impressive 30,000+ steams on Spotify alone, front man, Ben McGuiness and drummer, Tyler Andrew have gained not only the admiration of fans, but the attention of their musical contemporaries. 

Collaborations with popular industry names such as Jimmy Alexander (Awaken I Am) and Landon Tewers (The Plot in You) have helped fueled the group’s creative fire, and it’s this non-stop energy that can be felt throughout all nine of Calloway Circus’ latest tracks. 

So, before the holiday arrives and brings with it the band’s most exciting material to date, the SoundBite Magazine team had the chance to catch up with Calloway Circus for the inside scoop on everything from the new record and musical inspiration, to upcoming tours and more!  

Congratulations on your new album! Entropy is set for release on Valentine's Day. Is there a special reason or meaning behind why you chose this particular date?

Thanks! A lot of the songs are centered on love or heartbreak, and Valentine’s Day was a Friday this year, so we saw it as an opportunity to capitalize on those concepts.

On the album, you had the chance to work with Jimmy Alexander of Awaken I Am for mixing. How did that collaboration come about?

Entropy was produced by Jeff McKinnon and Evan Seeberger out of a basement in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I actually hooked up with them through a previous band of theirs and ended up really diving into this album together. Jimmy was a friend of our manager. He really resonated with the music, and once I heard his mixes, I was blown away. It was really interesting to have him mix these songs all the way in Australia while we sat and waited here in St. Louis. We always joke that he “mixed the album upside down” since he lives in Australia!

In addition to Jimmy, you’ve also collaborated with producer and singer of The Plot In You, Landon Tewers. What did he bring to the table from a creative standpoint?

Landon produced the track “If I Called.” We also did a writing session with him kicking around ideas for our next record. Landon brought a creative force that I legitimately cannot explain. It was as if all the parts of the song were already written and completed in his head even though he hadn’t really heard much of my work. We worked together really well and had a great ten days just bouncing ideas off of each other. He made a song we’ve been playing for years hit harder in such an emotional and powerful way. We’ll definitely be working together more in the future!

I enjoy how the record contains elements of pop, rock, alternative and electronic notes. How would you describe your sound for fans just discovering your music?

We like to call ourselves “edgy pop”, but honestly we don’t have a set genre. We grew up with all types of music at our fingertips and that has always been a huge part of our musical identity as a band, and my identity as a songwriter.

Your fourth single “Kind to Myself” came out January 30, along with a new music video. It has more of a positive feel compared to some of the other tracks on the record. What is the inspiration behind that song?

This song emerged pretty early in the process. I remember I had really been having a rough few days, and this melody came to my head. As I was figuring out the melody on the piano the line “taking my time to be kind to myself” kept appearing and I fell in love with that message. This is the final track on the record because through all the hardships on the record, I wanted there to be the most positive message possible as the final thing you hear. A message of self-love.

Do you have a favorite memory from shooting the music video?

I really loved being able to skateboard and be surrounded by so much positive energy! Our most dedicated fans came out on such a freezing cold day and honestly we all just had a blast together.

In the past, you’ve noted looking to groups such as Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance for inspiration. Are there any other bands that you’re currently inspired by?

My all-time favorite band is The Killers and I will always love listening to them. Currently we’ve both been listening to a lot of The Plot in You, YUNGBLUD, Varials, and Bring Me the Horizon.

While you’ve released two LP’s and a total of twenty-six songs since the band’s formation in 2015, only your latest work is now accessible to the public. How do you think your creative process has evolved or changed since your first releases?

Until Entropy I had never really collaborated with anyone on my music. I thought I knew best and put it out. After working with others, I realized that this was not the case, and our previous music had suffered because of that. So, I felt it didn’t represent who we are or where we’re going anymore.

Is there any advice that you’d give to your past selves or to musicians just starting out in the industry?

I’d say there are no off days. If you want this, like really want it, you will have to work every day. I think a lot of people don’t know that about this industry and get really jaded when it doesn’t work out, but I believe it really comes down to what you put into it.

I heard you have some writing sessions for your next endeavor as well as plans for a summer tour already in the works. What can fans expect from Calloway Circus in 2020? What are your goals for this year?

We’re working hard behind the scenes trying to get a Summer tour going and play regional shows in the Midwest for the rest of the year. We plan on hitting the studio with producer, Courtney Ballard [Waterparks, Emarosa, Stand Atlantic] this Spring to start work on a new record. Our goal is to keep creating great songs and play them as much as possible!

For additional updates, information, and more, make sure to follow Calloway Circus on social media and visit the band’s official website here. 

Coverage by Jessica Nakamoto

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