Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

CirKus

CirKus is a band formed in 2005 by Burt Ford (also known as ), his wife , their daughter Lolita Moon, and Matt Kent (known as Karmil). Originating between London, , and , , the group blends electronic soul, , and elements, often described as a creative vehicle for Cherry's work following her solo career. The band recorded their debut album Laylow in 2006 at Cherry's home in , , which peaked at number 95 on the Albums Chart. Their second album, Medicine, was released in on 9 2009, reaching number 110 on the same chart. Following a tour, CirKus entered a around 2010, with members pursuing other projects while maintaining a legacy in the genre.

Formation and Members

Origins and Formation

CirKus was formed in 2005 by producer (also known as Burt Ford) and multi-instrumentalist Matt Kent (also known as Karmil) as a collaborative music project in . The duo initiated recording sessions for basic tracks at Kent's home studio, drawing on their shared backgrounds in trip-hop and production. Kent's girlfriend, Lolita Moon—who is also the daughter of McVey and singer —joined soon after to provide vocals, adding a layer of familial intimacy to the group's dynamic. McVey then persuaded Cherry, whose prior solo career had established her as a key figure in and trip-hop, to contribute rapped and sung vocals, solidifying the lineup. McVey and convinced Cherry to shift the project to , where the band established a base near to foster a family-oriented creative environment while raising their children. This move blended influences from the UK's urban electronic scene with Scandinavian aesthetics, as the group maintained connections to both and . Early on, cirKus signed with the independent label Tent Music for , securing through Wagram Music in to support their debut .

Current and Former Members

CirKus revolves around a core lineup featuring family members and longtime collaborators, emphasizing a blend of production expertise and vocal talents rooted in personal connections. Cameron McVey, professionally known as Burt Ford, serves as the band's primary producer and synth player; born on March 11, 1957, he is a multi-instrumentalist renowned for his production work with Massive Attack on albums like Blue Lines. His wife, Neneh Cherry—born Neneh Mariann Karlsson on March 10, 1964, in Stockholm, Sweden—contributes vocals and keyboards; a established singer with hits such as the 1988 single "Buffalo Stance" from her debut album Raw Like Sushi, Cherry brings her experience in hip-hop, pop, and jazz-infused styles to the group. Their daughter, Lolita Moon (born Tyson McVey in 1989), handles vocals and keyboards, marking her emergence as a performer within the family dynamic. Completing the core is Matt Kent, aka Karmil, who provides guitars and additional production; a British DJ and beatsmith, Kent's involvement stems from his partnership with McVey in shaping the band's electronic soundscapes. The McVey-Cherry marriage, which began in 1990, underscores CirKus's identity as a familial endeavor, with 's participation highlighting intergenerational in music creation and performance. This structure allows for intimate vocal harmonies between Cherry and Moon, layered over McVey's synth-driven arrangements and Kent's guitar textures, fostering the band's trip-hop aesthetic. For live performances, the band has augmented its lineup with additional musicians, including Thomas Nordström on drums and percussion, drawn from the Swedish group King Kong Crew, to enhance their stage presence during European tours. Similarly, Jonotan has contributed percussion and electronics in touring configurations. These additions support the core members without altering the studio-focused roles. Among former members, John Tonks participated as an early collaborator, serving as musical director, , and during the band's initial development phase around 2005–2006. Anschul provided initial electronic contributions and bass elements before departing. These early involvements helped refine CirKus's sound prior to their debut releases.

Musical Style

Genres and Influences

CirKus's primary genres encompass , , and electronic music, defined by beats, atmospheric samples, and soulful vocals that create an introspective, layered soundscape. The band's style draws heavily from the trip-hop scene, incorporating relaxed tempos and melodic electronic elements reminiscent of pioneers. Key influences include trip-hop trailblazers and Portishead, with whom core member collaborated extensively on seminal productions like 's Blue Lines and early Portishead development. Neneh Cherry's background in fusing , jazz, and punk—rooted in her early punk band experiences and stepfather Don Cherry's free jazz legacy—infuses CirKus with raw vocal emotion and genre-blending experimentation. McVey's production history in electronic and trip-hop further shapes the band's atmospheric, sample-driven approach, echoing his work with Tricky and Morcheeba-like grooves. The band's sound evolved from Cherry's more raw, urban solo aesthetic toward a polished, familial , enriched by contributions from her husband McVey and daughter Moon on vocals and production. This shift emphasizes collaborative layering over solo intensity, blending electronic subtlety with emotional depth. Thematically, CirKus's lyrics delve into personal relationships, urban introspection, and societal undercurrents, pairing vocal vulnerability with electronic restraint to evoke a sense of quiet urgency and emotional resonance.

Stage Instrumentation

CirKus's stage instrumentation blends electronic manipulation with traditional rock elements, creating a dynamic live sound that emphasizes and real-time processing. Burt Ford handles synth manipulation and effects using a X-Station controller and Kaoss Pad 2, allowing for tactile control over filters, delays, and pitch-shifting during performances. This setup enables Ford to layer atmospheric textures and alter sounds on the fly, contributing to the band's fluid, evolving arrangements. Lolita Moon's configuration centers on the Roland V-Synth for virtual analog synthesis, providing rich, evolving waveforms and modeling capabilities, paired with an for beat programming and sampling. These tools allow Moon to construct rhythmic foundations and integrate sampled elements seamlessly into the live mix, enhancing the aesthetic with programmed grooves. Matt Kent employs both electric and acoustic guitars to introduce organic textures, strumming and picking to contrast the electronic base and add melodic warmth. The ensemble integrates software for real-time looping, sequencing, and live mixing, synchronizing hardware with digital processing to facilitate spontaneous composition onstage. For larger shows, the core duo expands with additional percussion from John Tonks on drums and keys by Nordström and Jonotan, broadening the sonic palette beyond studio versions and incorporating live drumming to drive energy. This approach underscores CirKus's commitment to improvisational electronics, setting it apart from conventional band setups by prioritizing adaptive, technology-driven performances over fixed arrangements.

Career

Early Career and Laylow (2005–2007)

Following their formation, CirKus recorded their debut album in 2006 across several locations, including a house in , , another house in Skåne, (near ), and studios such as Cosmos in and Nacksving in Göteborg, emphasizing a home-based, collaborative production process. The album's themes revolve around intimate, laid-back electronics infused with grooves and ethereal vocal harmonies, blending , , and elements, with family-oriented vocals from and her stepdaughter Lolita Moon prominently featured, including Cherry's rapped and sung contributions on the "Laylow." Laylow was released in 2006 by the French label Wagram Music, facilitating the band's initial entry into European markets through distribution on Tent Music. The album received mixed , with some critics praising its revival of trip hop's atmospheric and melodic sensibilities in a modern context, while others found it uninspired and overly polished, lacking the raw edge of genre pioneers; commercially, it marked a modest start without significant chart impact. To promote Laylow, CirKus undertook their first live performances in early 2006 across , including shows in and the that showcased their setup and vocal interplay in intimate venues.

Medicine and European Tour (2008–2009)

Following the release of their debut album Laylow in 2006, cirKus began work on their second album, , which built upon the group's earlier foundations with a more refined sound incorporating elements of , , , and . The album was composed primarily by Burt Ford (Cameron ) and Matt Karmil, with vocals provided by and Lolita Moon alongside Ford; the core songwriting took 3–4 weeks, followed by about one month of recording and additional time for mixing. Described by the band as "Broken Disco" or "Trip Disco," Medicine evolved from the "Broken Soul" aesthetic of Laylow toward a darker yet more upbeat tone, featuring electro sounds, apocalyptic noises, distorted guitars, and voices amid a dark ambiance punctuated by relieving and grooves. Medicine was released on March 9, 2009, through Wagram Music in and Tent Music in other territories, emphasizing emotional depth through tracks like "Bells" and "Hardly Breathing," which blended introspective lyrics with dance-oriented rhythms. The album's production highlighted the band's collaborative family dynamic, with Cherry, McVey, their daughter , and Karmil contributing to a polished palette that included synth-heavy arrangements and pulsing electro-ska influences. No prominent guest features were included, allowing the core quartet's to drive the material. In support of Medicine, cirKus undertook a series of live performances across Europe in 2009, including appearances at the Les Ardentes festival in Liège, Belgium, on July 9, and the FNAC Indétendances festival in Paris on August 7, where they showcased their live electronic setup blending trip hop beats with onstage improvisation. These shows highlighted the family's onstage dynamic, with Cherry and Moon's vocals interacting fluidly over Karmil's guitar and McVey's production elements, though the band's niche trip hop appeal limited broader commercial breakthrough. Critics praised for its sonic evolution and cohesive blend of genres, noting its pleasurable mix of woozy swagger, synth density, and rhythmic pulse despite occasional cluttered production in tracks like "Unattended Bag." The single "Bells" exemplified the album's emotional and dance elements, contributing to positive reception for the band's growth while maintaining underground appeal.

Hiatus and Legacy (2010–present)

Following the release of their second album Medicine in 2009, CirKus entered an indefinite hiatus, with no further group releases or tours announced. The band's members shifted focus to individual pursuits, including Neneh Cherry's solo work, such as her 2014 album Blank Project, which featured collaborations with producers like and explored raw, introspective themes. This transition was influenced by family commitments, as Cherry balanced creative endeavors with personal life alongside husband and their children, who had been integral to the band's familial dynamic. The hiatus reflected broader priorities in the lives of the Cherry-McVey family, allowing space for personal growth and separate artistic explorations without the demands of band commitments. Cherry continued to evolve her sound through projects like The Cherry Thing (2012), an collaboration, and later albums Broken Politics (2018) and (2022), which incorporated electronic and soul elements. McVey contributed to songwriting on some of these efforts, maintaining a creative , while other family members stepped back from public performance. As of 2025, CirKus remains on indefinite hiatus, with occasional references in Cherry's interviews highlighting the project as a cherished family collaboration during a transitional period in her career. CirKus's legacy lies in its role as a familial revival of aesthetics, blending soulful vocals with electronic beats in a low-key setting that echoed Bristol sounds while bridging to 2000s experimentation. The band's work has contributed to renewed interest in genre-fusing collaborations, influencing modern electronic artists who merge soul influences with downtempo electronics, as seen in Cherry's ongoing impact on acts prioritizing organic, risk-taking production. By showcasing intergenerational creativity within the Cherry family, CirKus underscored the enduring appeal of 's atmospheric intimacy in landscapes.

Discography

Studio Albums

CirKus has released two studio albums, both characterized by their blend of trip hop, electronic, and soul influences, primarily self-produced by core members Cameron McVey and Matt Kent (Karmil). The debut album, Laylow, was released in 2006 through Tent Music and recorded across several locations in Sweden, including Cosmos Recording Studios in Stockholm and Nacksving Recording Studios in Gothenburg, as well as in London. Featuring 13 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 54 minutes, the album emphasizes minimalist trip hop arrangements, sparse beats, and ethereal vocals contributed by Neneh Cherry and Lolita Moon. Key tracks include the title song "Laylow," which opens with laid-back grooves and introspective lyrics. The follow-up, , arrived in 2009, also via Tent Music, expanding on the debut's sound with a more upbeat and incorporation of live alongside production. Comprising 11 tracks and running about 48 minutes, it shifts toward and electro-infused , featuring fuller arrangements that highlight collaborative vocals and rhythmic drive. Standout songs include "Bells," a with its chiming melodies and energetic hooks, and "Drug of Choice," which serves as an opener blending soulful introspection with propulsive beats. As of 2025, CirKus has not released any additional .

Chart Performance

CirKus's debut album Laylow, released in 2006, peaked at number 95 on the French Albums Chart, where it spent five weeks in the listing. Distributed by Wagram Music, the album's performance highlighted the band's niche position within the electronic and trip-hop scenes, resulting in limited visibility on international charts beyond France. The 2009 follow-up Medicine fared slightly lower, reaching number 110 on the French Albums Chart and charting for four weeks. Also handled by Wagram Music, it maintained the group's modest commercial footprint, with no significant entries on major European or global album rankings. Overall, CirKus experienced restrained success confined largely , aligning with their status and lack of breakthroughs; neither album produced top 40 singles, though promotional tracks like "Bells" garnered niche attention in electronic music circles without formal chart placements.

References

  1. [1]
    Cirkus - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 0% (13) The movie is 2 hrs 20 mins long. It is played at a frantic pace and the plot is about two sets of just born identical twin males up for adoption. A research ...
  2. [2]
    Cirkus (2022) - IMDb
    Rating 4.2/10 (24,823) Two sets of identical twins are accidentally separated at birth. Several years later, when they are coincidentally in the same town, there is a lot of ...Full cast & crew · Videos · Plot · Ratings
  3. [3]
    Review of Cirkus (Motion Picture) (Directed by Rohit Shetty), Rohit ...
    The 2022 film Cirkus (dir. Rohit Shetty) is simultaneously a tradaptation of The Comedy of Errors and a remake of Gulzar's Angoor, a version of Errors ...
  4. [4]
    Cirkus Movie: Review | Release Date (2022) - Bollywood Hungama
    Dec 23, 2022 · CIRKUS is the story of mistaken identity. The year is 1942. Dr. Roy Jamnadas (Murli Sharma) and Joy Jamnadas (Uday Tikekar) run the Jamnadas ...
  5. [5]
    Why Rohit Shetty Made <i>Cirkus</i> During Lockdown - NDTV
    Jan 12, 2025 · Rohit Shetty's movies seldom miss the mark, but his 2022 directorial Cirkus, starring Ranveer Singh, was a major flop.
  6. [6]
    Come One, Come All, to Experience the Joys of the 'Cirkus'
    Dec 28, 2022 · Bollywood director Rohit Shetty achieves this requisite level of silliness in his new comedy of errors, Cirkus. ree.
  7. [7]
    Ranveer Singh's Cirkus will stream on Netflix from this date
    Feb 16, 2023 · Cirkus, which had a disappointing theatrical run, will start streaming on Netflix from February 17. The film which is based on William ...
  8. [8]
    Cirkus - Apple Music
    The group's roots lie with Cherry's husband and longtime collaborator, producer Cameron "Booga Bear" McVey, who began recording the basic tracks in London ...Missing: band origins
  9. [9]
    Neneh Cherry Never Stopped Taking Risks. Now She's Making ...
    Oct 17, 2018 · In 1978, a 14-year-old Neneh headed to London, where she found kindred spirits in the era's art-punk scene. She performed and recorded with the ...
  10. [10]
    Neneh Cherry Ripens As an Artist With First Solo LP in 17 Years
    Jan 7, 2014 · This never-released music was just one of several creative endeavors that kept Cherry busy, including Cirkus, a band her Brit husband and ...
  11. [11]
    cirKus - Laylow
    ### Summary of cirKus – Laylow
  12. [12]
    Cameron McVey - MusicBrainz
    Jan 10, 2019 · Cameron Andrew McVey (born 11 August 1957) is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. He has worked with the acts Massive Attack, ...
  13. [13]
    Neneh Cherry facts: Singer's age, husband, songs and famous ...
    Jun 4, 2022 · Neneh Cherry was born Neneh Mariann Karlsson in Stockholm, Sweden, on March 10, 1964. She celebrated her 58th birthday in 2022.
  14. [14]
    Artist: Lolita Moon | SecondHandSongs
    Born: 1989; Country: United Kingdom; Family: Cameron McVey Father Mabel [GB] ... Performer, Release date, Label. The Versions, various artists, June 10, 2022, EMI ...
  15. [15]
    Matt Karmil discography - Rate Your Music
    Born 1979, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Currently Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Member of cirKus. Also Known As Matt Kent, Karmil. Genres Outsider House, Deep House, ...
  16. [16]
    Neneh Cherry - WBSS Media
    In 2006, Cherry announced the formation of a new band, cirKus. In addition to Cherry, cirKus members were Cameron McVey, Lolita Moon (Neneh and Cameron's ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  17. [17]
    Cirkus ft. Neneh Cherry - Brugge - Cactus Muziekcentrum
    Live wordt dit circus nog versterkt door Tricky-drummer John Tonks. Het nieuwe 'LayLow' laat broken soul horen die neigt naar dromerige sferen. Downtempo ...<|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Musician-Drummer - John Tonks
    cirKus – M. D./Drummer/Programmer. Fish – Drummer. Thea Gilmore – Drummer. Raul Mallo (The Mavericks) - Drummer. Lemonjelly - Drummer & Consultant. Paul ...Missing: band | Show results with:band
  19. [19]
    cirKus Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | Al... | AllMusic
    ### Summary of CirKus (AllMusic)
  20. [20]
    Cirkus - Laylower - Review - Penny Black Music
    Aug 10, 2008 · In the original, 'Laylow', the band ploughed a pleasing, but not particularly varied, musical furrow, marrying the melodic sense and relaxed ...Missing: genres influences
  21. [21]
    Local Groove Does Good: The Story Of Trip-Hop's Rise From Bristol
    Jan 31, 2012 · Singer-songwriter NENEH CHERRY is an anchor of the Bristol scene. She sang with The Slits, Float Up C.P. and is now with the band CirKus. She is ...
  22. [22]
    Blue Lines: Massive Attack's blueprint for UK pop's future
    Oct 27, 2012 · Blue Lines: Massive Attack's blueprint for UK pop's future. This ... The album's production is credited to Massive Attack, Cameron McVey ...
  23. [23]
    'Dummy wasn't a chillout album. Portishead had more in common ...
    Aug 24, 2019 · ... Cameron McVey, to work on her second album, Homebrew, on which he co-wrote and co-produced the song Somedays; McVey spotted Barrow's talent ...
  24. [24]
    Interview: Neneh Cherry on Punk, Jazz and Working With Four Tet
    Mar 19, 2014 · Few artists can claim to be international quite like Neneh Cherry. Born in Stockholm and raised by her mother and jazz musician and folk ...
  25. [25]
    cirKus – Electronic & Trip Hop Music | Free MP3 Downloads – New ...
    cirKus is: burt ford, lolita moon, karmil and ... What equipment do you use? main production is ... instruments: acoustic/electric guitar and bass.
  26. [26]
    Festival Les Inrocks 2006 - Lily Allen - Neneh Cherry et Cirkus
    Les instruments sont mis en place : guitare, basse, batterie mais aussi machines et synthés, savamment manœuvrés par Burt Ford, grand producteur et ...
  27. [27]
    Nancy Jazz Pulsations 2006 - Africiné
    Neneh Cherry voix | DJ Karmil deedjaying, guitare | Burt Ford (alias Cameron McVey) voix, programmation, basse | Lola Moon voix | John Tonks batterie | CirKus ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Laylow - cirKus | Album - AllMusic
    Rating 6.7/10 (15) Laylow by cirKus released in 2006. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.Missing: influences | Show results with:influences
  29. [29]
    cirKus - Laylow
    ### Label and Release Details for "Laylow" by cirKus
  30. [30]
    cirKus Laylow Review - Music - BBC
    BBC Review​​ Uninspired and smoothed to an unpleasant sheen. Sweden-based pop collective, cirKus, are, in effect, Neneh Cherry's (and husband, Burt Ford's) ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
  31. [31]
    https://mmusicmag.com/m/2011/07/cirkus/
  32. [32]
    cirKus - laylow - YouTube
    Oct 4, 2006 · live performance of the song 'laylow' by cirKus clip d'emission canal plus www.myspace.com/cirKus. cirKus - laylow. 64K views · 19 years agoMissing: vocals | Show results with:vocals<|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Cirkus - Interview - Froggy's Delight
    Mar 11, 2009 · La chronique de l'album Medicine de Cirkus. Balkan Beat Box - Arno - Tinariwen - Max Roméo - Tractor Blues - Deltahead - Cirkus - Tractor ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  34. [34]
    Cirkus - Medicine - Froggy's Delight
    ... Cirkus en concert au Festival FNAC Indétendances 2009 (vendredi 7 août 2009). Bloc Party - Anais - Neneh Cherry, Cirkus and friends en concert au Festival ...
  35. [35]
    cirKus - Medicine
    ### Label and Release Details for *Medicine* by cirKus
  36. [36]
    M Music & Musicians Magazine » CIRKUS
    The music is cluttered in spots, like on the synth-heavy “Unattended Bag,” but by and large Medicine is a pleasure to swallow. Filed in: Indie Reviews Tags: ...Missing: critique | Show results with:critique
  37. [37]
    https://open.spotify.com/album/3FVAR1w4nbBmIO2DwAhFHI
  38. [38]
    Neneh Cherry on Trump, avoiding pop stardom and working with ...
    Oct 20, 2018 · In 2006, she made a low-key re-emergence in a group called CirKus that also included, under pseudonyms, her husband and their older daughter, ...
  39. [39]
    Neneh Cherry: 'Jazz can be the way you make love' - The Guardian
    May 22, 2012 · Before her fierce pop years, she was in female punk band the Slits, then in post-punk group Rip Rig & Panic. In the last decade, Cherry has also ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  40. [40]
    The Music That Made Neneh Cherry a Pop Rebel | Pitchfork
    Oct 11, 2018 · At age 16, after befriending Ari Up of post-punk greats the Slits, Cherry moved to England, soaked up reggae and trip-hop, and started singing ...
  41. [41]
    cirKus
    Insufficient relevant content. The provided URL content (https://www.discogs.com/artist/611703-cirKus) only includes partial text about releases and lacks information on band members, roles, or biographical details.
  42. [42]
    Laylower - Album by Cirkus | Spotify
    Listen to Laylower on Spotify · album · Cirkus · 2006 · 26 songs.Missing: tracklist | Show results with:tracklist
  43. [43]
    Medicine - Album by Cirkus | Spotify
    Listen to Medicine on Spotify · album · Cirkus · 2009 · 11 songs.Missing: French European tour 2008
  44. [44]
    CirKus Albums and Discography - Genius
    Popular Albums by CirKus · Medicine. March 9, 2009 · Laylow. September 1, 2006. All Albums by CirKus. CirKus discography includes 2 albums. Release Date. A-Z ...
  45. [45]
    https://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Cirkus