SA: albinobeach releases Tower single ahead of Circa EP

‘Tower’, which is available on all major streaming services, will be followed by other singles on a biweekly basis until January.

Known for their evocative soundscapes and dynamic performances, albinobeach continues to push the boundaries of instrumental music, blending all manner of rock subgenres and experimental music. 

The trio – comprising Kalin Pashaliev (bass), Ian Finch (guitars) and Garrick Van Der Tuin (drums) – has carved out a unique niche in instrumental music with their intricate compositions and emotive performances. Each member brings a distinct voice to the group, creating a synergy that is both powerful and delicate. Their music weaves together the raw energy of experimental rock, atmospheric textures and unconventional songwriting.

Circa marks the band’s fourth project, following the self-titled albinobeach (EP, 2007), Cacophonic (LP, 2015), and The Ladder (LP, 2020). With Circa, albinobeach invites listeners to explore themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The EP captures the essence of looking back at life’s moments with a sense of longing and introspection.

“Circa feels like an amalgamation of our collective experiences throughout the years,” the band, which formed in 2005, explains. “There’s something profoundly sentimental about this EP – from the sounds we’ve captured to the dynamics we’ve infused into each track. It’s about revisiting the past, but not in a literal sense.” 

The EP’s soundscape is enriched by subtle yet emotive elements – like samples of children playing by the sea on the lead single ‘Tower’ – layering the music with a sense of innocence and purity. These auditory cues offer listeners a multi-sensory experience that transcends typical instrumental prog.

In the context of albinobeach’s discography, Circa stands out as a work that encapsulates the band’s evolution while staying true to their core sound. Following the release of The Ladder in 2020, which garnered positive reviews around the globe, Circa marks a return to the band’s roots, while also exploring new sonic territories.

Initially a four-piece group, albinobeach went instrumental in 2006 after singer Francois Du Preez exited the band due to hearing difficulties caused by a short illness. At that time, albinobeach were recording their self-titled debut EP and the remaining members decided to release it as an instrumental offering. The EP attracted the attention of North Carolina independent label Forgotten Empire Records, which released the EP in 2007.

Although albinobeach’s music is often described as 'post-rock', the band has experimented with a mixture of genres such as psychedelic rock, space rock, noise rock, metal, Afrobeat, dub, reggae and electronica.

In late 2013, after a three-year hiatus, albinobeach began a series of improv sessions with guitarist Nenad Djelic, drummer Boris Tzevtanov and violinist Waldo Alexander. The sessions led to a full-length album titled Cacophonic, self-released in 2015.

In 2016, albinobeach – now comprising Pashaliev, Finch and Tzvetanov – began writing songs for a full-length album. A year later, Van Der Tuin rejoined the band to engineer, mix and write and record drums for the album. The album, titled The Ladder, was released in November 2020.