A rock’n’roll heartbeat for these divisive times, Howlin’ Circus is the Middle Eastern-inspired psychedelic rock project of Canadian-Iraqi musician, Jafar Sandouk.
Sandouk’s “gritty, powerful, and defiant” (Indie88) sound fearlessly blurs the boundaries of genre, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry that unveils the devastating personal impact of Islamophobia and white supremacy in the post-9/11 era. Yet, the Howlin’ Circus project goes beyond mere social commentary; it delves deep into the heart of humanity, exploring the world’s sharp decline in empathy.
The new album, Creature, released October 27, is an ode to the roles we have to play to survive in a world designed for a privileged few. Sandouk says: “The story of a creature is often a narrative shaped by others, written to dehumanize us. This record is about defining your own story and celebrating it.”
“Howlin’ Circus’ brand of psychedelic heavy-blues rock is akin to The Black Keys on a cocktail of speed and acid. Fast, fuzzy and furious. Would you expect anything less from a band that handed out hundreds of pre-rolled joints at a gig after Canada legalised weed?” — Clunk Mag