Q&A: Unveiling the Depths of "We Grow Too Slow" and the Journey of 'CIRCUMVOLVE' with Circuit Faker
CIRCUIT FAKER HAS BEEN STEADILY CARVING OUT A NICHE in the electronic music scene with his unique blend of immersive soundscapes and euphoric melodies. A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer from Minneapolis, Taylor Nelson draws from a diverse range of electronic influences, blending elements of electronica, house, and alternative dance to create a sound that's both innovative and accessible.
With his upcoming debut album, CIRCUMVOLVE, Circuit Faker continues to explore the complexities of human emotion and the nuances of relationships. His latest single, "We Grow Too Slow," strikes a delicate balance between darker lyrical themes and a vibrant, catchy sound. Inspired by the likes of Rufus Du Sol, the song captures the frustration of a relationship that's stuck in limbo, while still offering a sense of catharsis and emotional release.
In our interview below we dive into the inspiration behind "We Grow Too Slow," explore the broader thematic journey of CIRCUMVOLVE, and discuss the evolution of Circuit Faker's sound, from his early days in Minneapolis to his future musical endeavors. Read below to get to know the artist behind the music and discover what sets Circuit Faker apart in the ever-evolving world of electronic music.
LUNA: "We Grow Too Slow" has a very immersive and euphoric feel. What was the inspiration behind this track, and how did it come to life in the studio?
CF: I was really into Rufus Du Sol at the time of writing this. I had just seen them live for the second time right before COVID hit (I think the show was literally the weekend before everything shut down here in Minneapolis). It was a dark time, and I had some ideas I wanted to work through in my head. Rufus' latest album at the time (Solace) had a bit more of an edge to it, and I wanted to write a pop song that was a little bit darker lyrically, and tonally. A lot of the vibe of Rufus wore off on me. This song is me working through feelings of an old relationship that just didn't work out... at all. Not enough communication, not seeing eye to eye, and just taking way too long to work through things, hence the name "We Grow Too Slow"
LUNA: Your music draws from a broad range of electronic genres, from house to alternative dance. Who are some of the artists or genres that have most influenced your sound?
CF: Photay, Disclosure, Tourist, Machinedrum, and Rufus Du Sol like I just mentioned. I love the genre bending that all of these artists experiment with.
LUNA: With "We Grow Too Slow" being the third single from your debut album ‘CIRCUMVOLVE’, how does this track fit within the overall theme or journey of the album?
CF: It's the second track on the album following right after Ocular Therapy (the first single off this record). It's a solid and straightforward anthem and I think it fits nicely in the order of the album.
LUNA: "Ocular Therapy" and "Saturn" seem to represent two different ends of the electronic spectrum. How do you balance creating tracks with such diverse energy levels while maintaining a cohesive sound?
CF: While the songs can vary from one to another in stylistic approach, I feel they all share the same soul. I think the flow of the album helps keep the tracks linked in a meaningful way, while also letting all fo them shine on their own.
LUNA: What message or emotion do you hope listeners take away from "We Grow Too Slow"?
CF: It's a reflective song for anyone who has ever been in a "going nowhere fast" type of relationship. Though the song has three choruses, each is subtly different from the last and the listener can hear the tone changing as the song progresses.
LUNA: Minneapolis has a rich musical history. How has your environment influenced your music, if at all?
CF: Minneapolis is very welcoming to all sorts of music. There wasn't a huge electronic scene her a decade ago when I was in Wiping Out Thousands (Taylor's former electronic duo), but the city welcomed our approach to genre bending electro-focused music, and I think Circuit Faker is a continuation of that exploration.
LUNA: Looking ahead, how do you see your sound evolving? Are there any new directions or experiments you’re excited to explore in future projects?
CF: Definitely, I want to lean more into my guitar playing on the next album. This album had guitar as more of an additive element in the compositions, but I think it would be fun to have guitar be one of the primary elements on the next record.
LUNA: With the rise of electronic music in various forms, what do you feel sets your sound apart from others in the genre?
CF: I love all sorts of electronic music. But what I've found most interesting is when artists (like the ones I mentioned above) take electronic music and marry it to a more traditional band-centric song structure and arrangement. Instead of producing a track that has a repetitive beat and slightly changing elements that shift over the duration of the track like most traditional club/house music, newer electronic artists (especially with an indie lean) are making electronic music translate in a more immediate way, and I like that.
LUNA: Finally, what can fans expect from you in the coming months, leading up to and after the release of ‘CIRCUMVOLVE’?
CF: Right now I am just focused on getting my music out there. A lot of these songs were started during the COVID pandemic, so its nice to finally release them into the world. That said, I have a few more singles to release and a music video as well when the album gets released later this year. Looking forward to sharing more :)
