Remember Finnish deep-prog legends Circle and their irrepressible collaboration with super-fan Richard Dawson in 2021,’Henki’? It was an album of spirit and invention, oozing warmth in a very loud manner and topping plenty of those ‘best of the year’ poll for crate-diggers and critics alike. It also re-opened the doors onto the bewildering expanse of Circle’s hyper-imaginative music, some fifty plus recordings over three decades which reach out to the extremities of heavy rock, psychedelia, jazz, ambient and the avant-garde (if you need a rough guide go read Bandcamp’s neat A Brief Guide To The Weird World Of Finland’s Circle ).
Formed in 1992 by bassist/singer Jussi Lehtisalo, who remains a pivotal member, Circle remain committed to maintaining their creative momentum. From spandex and leathers to dark folk robes, through a spiral of side-projects and hypnotic live shows, they have always been a collective in perpetual motion.
Now comes news of their next project to be presented at the Art Museum in their home city of Pori on the west coast of Finland. Commissioned by the gallery and marking its reopening, Circle have created a sound and visual installation called ‘Piste‘ (‘Point’ in English) which promises to merge their music, monumental geometric sculptures and audience interaction into a total experience. Creating a space “that dissolves the boundaries between art, life, authorship, and spectatorship” sounds like a grand proposal but knowing Circle, something extraordinary is sure to be found. Get those bags packed and enjoy the trip.
‘Piste’ runs from 1st February to 31st August 2025 at the Pori Art Museum (see HERE )
Circle will also release new music on cassette to coincide with the launch: ‘GNTV’, a set performed by Circle members individually and in turn at the late Kalervo Kallio’s sculpture studio; and ‘Museo’, Circle’s ‘housewarming’ show played in the Pori Art Museum at the end of last year. Check Circle’s Bandcamp page HERE for updates.
