Lurking around the locals scenes for a while now, QNews finally tracks down James Lee of supergroup Silver Sircus after just releasing their EP ‘Come Back As You’. In this fortnight’s edition, QNews is excited to educate all on local talent James Lee of Silver Sircus.

Q: How did Silver Sircus form?

James: Well it’s me and Lucinda Shaw who used to be in the band Iris (some people might remember which is nice) and a revolving collection of musicians that move around us. Up to a seven or eight piece, its moody, its dark, it’s soundtracky. There’s about 12 people piece on the album because we have a few guest artists – on a few songs we have a brass section, we have a guest percussionist – plus a five piece choir which are featured on 2 songs as well.

‘Come Back As You’ EP has just been released yet you are still busy recording. LP on the way?

There is going to be a digital single with a couple of other remixes – there’s going to be a couple of videos coming out soon – and then the album will be released in late August. There will be 9 tracks on the album. We have been busy finishing off what we have written a while ago. ‘Come Back As You’ will be on there but in a slightly different form.

Knowing your album we reviewed in the previous edition, you have lyrical songs and jamming, phenomenal, instrumental tracks. What can we expect on the album?

The way the album is set up is that it has six fairly lengthy songs and then there are three sort of pieces of connective tissue that are these little instrumental pieces. I like albums that are not too long – that are 45 minutes (the traditional LP length). We’ve treated it as a side one, side two kind of thing.  The album will be a lot more song based and a few moments of instrumental movements but they are brief.

What has the highlight been for the band for this year so far then?

Probably the last recording session we did – our guest choir that came in- we added and layered up and did many takes of adding a kind of very slow motion, gospel choir to the song. It’s all about lyrics and voice and vocals for me – so that was the highlight, listening to a very very new song come together, very very quickly – which I am not used to because I am a control freak [laughs].

What are your influences for this sound?

Our influences come out a lot in the band. I think a lot of people tend to say they hear a bit of Massive Attack, they hear a bit of Portishead. I would also say a little bit of Nick Cave, a little bit of Kate Bush....maybe a little bit of Bowie if I may be so bold.

Silver Sircus have just completed a show at the Stockholm Syndrome Cafe Bar & Showroom as part of the Deadly Nightshade Cabaret series hosted by Bertie Page. This will no doubt be the last time they appear there. Forthcoming, Silver Sircus can be caught at the Powerhouse on the 21st July playing their interpretation of ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ vinyl record live at the Visy Theatre. For more details plus information on how to track down their current album and track releases check out Silver Sircus’ official website www.silversircus.com.