Originally formed from an idea that concert impresario Peter Shapiro had about commissioning original set-break music at the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary concerts (“Fare Thee Well”), Circles Around The Sun is a first-of-its-kind band that has continued to trail-blaze the instrumental cosmic disco space for nearly a decade, shapeshifting through several iterations. Not just spiritually but actually and tangibly linked to Grateful Dead history, the band’s music shares shelf space with post-rock, psych-rock, jazz-funk, and good old fashioned psychedelia, while their recorded output has included collaborations with such diverse luminaries as Joe Russo, Billy Strings and Mikaela Davis. Original instrumentals form the bedrock of CATS’ live show, taking fans on a whole different journey every time.

A new project between ambient pedal steel explorer Joe Harvey-Whyte and psych-country guitarist Bobby Lee, “Last Ride” takes in Paris, Texas-esque dusty instrumentals, west coast canyon-rock, brit-folk pastoralism, kosmische choogle and new-age mellowness. The UK pair bonded over their broad church approach to cosmic country, where Eno and Arthur Russell stand shoulder to shoulder with Gram and JJ Cale. Individually, they’re both rare torch bearers of ambient americana on their side of the Atlantic.  Released on California’s Curation Records (Beachwood Sparks, Triptides, Silver Synthetic), “Last Ride” features cover artwork by legendary airbrush artist Jeff Wack, and a guest appearance from Swimming Bell on “Smoke Signals.” First single “Flatbed Alfalfa Run To Pueblo, Colorado, Fall 1972” opens with a phased guitar chug riding a loping groove, before a laid back Sneaky Pete-style fuzz-steel carries it off down the highway. Wispy cirrus clouds of Fender Rhodes hug the skyline, whilst the primordial drum machine marks every passing telegraph pole, like some motorik Marshall Tucker Band. “Plainsong” utilises a guitar previously owned by fellow British country rock lifer Iain Matthews, which was gifted to Joe after he backed up the former Fairport Convention/Matthews Southern Comfort legend on some live shows. “The Babalon Working”, named for early rocket scientist/occultist Jack Parson’s Mojave Desert sex magick rituals, is the Joe Meek-produced surf/spaghetti western soundtrack you always dreamed of. “Smoke Signals” is equal parts Jefferson Airplane kozmic folk and Rhythm Ace-fuelled balearic headnodder.  Joe is one of the UK’s most in demand pedal steel guitar players, known for his session work with artists as diverse as Alabama 3, Billy Bragg and Susanne Sundfør, and his wildly experimental soundtrack/installation compositions which push the boundaries of the instrument. Bobby has released three critically acclaimed records via American Primitive stalwarts Tompkins Square Records, described as “a word of mouth sensation amongst discerning heads” by Mojo Magazine editor John Mulvey. They first met in 2017 when Bobby was moonlighting in Californian power-pop/country rock band GospelbeacH on their first UK tour and Joe’s previous band The Hanging Stars were supporting. Staying in touch ever since, they’ve crossed paths at festivals and traded bargain bin zoners, western shirts and rural ambient recs. In 2023, the pair brought together the Cosmic Country Revue, also featuring fellow drum machine/twang addict Jeffrey Silverstein (Portland, OR) for two sold out UK tours and an increasingly mythic residency at Ireland’s Kilkenny Roots Fest. It was during the first installment of the CCR that the idea of this collaboration was worked up.