The Slambovian Circus of Dreams has been playing ‘outside the lines’ of Americana with fantastic shows and stories since forming in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Exploring music with an artful edge, elements of Dylan, The Band, Bowie, Neil Young, Syd Barrett, and The Waterboys flavor the musical mix.
The band toured the UK in 2022 and 2024 headlining festivals and were voted “Best Band” by fans and promoters alike. Joziah Longo (the resident shaman of Slambovia), leads with vocals described as “soothing and bewitching as a snake oil tonic.” Longtime bandmates Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, mandolin, flute) and guitarist/mandolin wizard Sharkey McEwen bring magic to the Slambovian brew with “a little help from their friends” – RJ McCarty (keys, bass, sax), Bob Torsello (bass) and Matthew Abourezk (drums).
We recently talked to band leaders Tink Lloyd and Joziah Longo in preparation for their first shows of 2025.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us! Can you give a little info about the origins of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams?
Joziah: The band first formed in Sleepy Hollow, New York and have been working our way up the Hudson River ever since. You could say our neighborhood extends everywhere from NYC to Woodstock! As our fan base grew, we began touring the UK regularly since 2008, playing all the major festivals – instead of going west, we headed east to the musical ‘holy land’ of England. They really ‘get us’ there as our “Woodstock-tinged psychedelia” has a lot of British folk-rock influences alongside the very Americana.
The band is poised to kick off their first shows of 2025 soon. What can fans look forward to?
Tink: We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of our debut album, “A Good Thief Tips His Hat” which is still a fan fave. Some of those songs will be included for this show, and since the new Dylan movie, “A Complete Unknown” came out, we’ll slip in a few choice Dylan tunes for everyone. Dylan was a big influence on Joziah growing up. He thought he was Bob Dylan when he was 12 – that was OK because Dylan thought he was Woody Guthrie!
What stands out about your live performances and musical connections to fans?
Tink: As a band, we’re somewhat “musical time travelers,” tapping familiar language and textures. Audiences feel like they recognize the songs from a misty, past memory – though the songs are all distinctly “Slambovian.”
Joziah: The Avalon show will be in the main theatre, our first time on the big stage! This lets us bring our projections (we are ultimately an ‘art-school’ band, you know). But no matter the size of stage, shows keep an intimate vibe that lets the audience ‘tune in’ and connect for a tribal musical experience.
Who can you count among your musical influences and inspirations?
Joziah: I grew up playing on Friday nights in my Dad’s basement. He could play anything – country, rock and the British Invasion – I attended the ultimate ‘School of Rock’!
Tink: As a flutist, I was always attracted to acoustic rock and Celtic music. Influences of Jethro Tull (Ian Anderson is a fan) definitely shine when I pick up my flute or recorder at shows. My main instrument, however, is the accordion! Fellow player, Garth Hudson of The Band was a ‘mentor’ to me and loved Joziah’s songwriting. That ‘band’ vibe is a part of our legacy, and hence, comparisons to The Band – but with Dylan/Bowie as lead singer!
As you mentioned, we recently lost Garth Hudson of The Band, who lived in your neck of the woods in the Hudson Valley. Can you share some stories about your interactions and friendship with him over the years?
Joziah: This month we spent time in Woodstock, Garth Hudson (The Band) just left us and we were invited to attend his wake with close-in friends. The tales they told were amazing! Garth was one of our earliest fans and would show up unannounced to check out Tink’s accordions, sit in a bit and tell jokes! Garth was loved by everyone, and will be missed. As a tip of the hat to Garth, we’ll be playing some early Dylan – the time Dylan spent with The Band in Woodstock was historic and a real game-changer!
What was your favorite live performance of 2024?
Tink: Our most memorable show of 2024 was playing in the UK for a solstice festival, “First Light Festival” in Lowestoft, UK.
It’s on the shore of the English Channel, the easternmost point in England, the first light of solstice touches there!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Joziah: We just started work on our 7th studio album, “The Book of Better Things”. We’ll be playing a few tracks at this weekend’s shows… “Everyone’s Dumb in Their Own Special Way” is sure to get everyone singing along!
FRI FEB 21 2025 7:00 PM DOORS 6:30 PM
Avalon Theatre – Easton, MD
40 E Dover St Easton, MD 21601
TICKETS: $30https://avalonfoundation.org/event/slambovian-circus-dreams
VENUE: https://avalonfoundation.org/events
SAT FEB 22 2025 8:00 PM DOORS 7:00 PM / 21 +
Elkton Music Hall – Elkton, MD
107 North St Elkton, MD 21921
TICKETS: $32 / https://link.dice.fm/Sf8d03dae6d0
VENUE: https://www.elktonmusichall.com/
SUN FEB 23 2025 5:00 PM
105 S Main St New Hope, PA 18938
TICKETS: $30.00 (34.00) https://www.havananewhope.com/upcoming-shows/slambovian-circus-of-dreams
VENUE: http://www.havananewhope.com/
“Currently working on their 7th studio album, the band’s Woodstock-laced psychedelia is a magical brew, winning over audiences wherever they happen to pitch their musical tent.
Generous hints of southern rock, Celtic and British folk are combined with powerful songwriting – a slice of Americana pie that is irresistible!”
“They take the stage by storm.” – New York Times
“Longo is an awesome songwriter” – Garth Hudson, The Band
“Best Band” – Chronogram Magazine, NY
“9 out of 10 – Love at first spin!” – Americana UK
“The cool end of Americana” – Maverick Magazine, UK
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/EEj_Z5zcrew?si=fUipJZdt409KiD_U&t=4
“Top albums of 2022” – Rock’n’Reel Magazine, UK
“Great songs and a whole lotta heart” – Meg Griffin, Sirius diSorDer, SiriusXM
“Simply one of the finest American bands” – All Music
“The best band since the Beatles” – Jim Pons, bassist Frank Zappa, John Lennon
TOUR DATES: https://bnds.us/s9wi2a
SOCIAL LINKS:
www.facebook.com/slamboviancircusofdreams
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