Circu5
Circu5 (pronounced 'circa five') is a British band blending contemporary guitar-driven progressive rock with evocative songwriting and storytelling. Founded as a solo project by singer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Tilling, Circu5's 2017 self-titled debut album featured performances from notable musicians including Dave Gregory (XTC, Big Big Train). Circu5's second album, Clockwork Tulpa, marks a new chapter as a full band, with Mark Kilminster (Tin Spirits frontman, bass/vocals) and Lee Moulding (TC&I, drums/vocals) joining Steve.
Circu5 was born from Steve's lifelong obsession with music: "I started learning classical guitar at seven, then went on to join various bands and work as a session musician." Mirroring the experience of most musicians, opportunities came and went, bands broke up, and family responsibilities filled the gap.
In 2012, after twelve years away from music, Steve began crafting what would become Circu5. “I really missed music. I wanted to create something purely on my terms, and to feel inspired again.” The debut self-titled Circu5 album was released to glowing reviews in 2017. “I'm still proud of the album. But doing everything alone was a huge task and, at times, a lonely one.”
If there was to be a follow-up, it had to be a band effort. A call from Colin Moulding (XTC) to join his band, TC&I, led Steve to meet Colin's son, Lee, who became Circu5's drummer. "As soon as I heard him play, I knew he was right for CIRCU5." Bass duties were filled by Mark Kilminster, frontman of Tin Spirits, which also featured Dave Gregory. “I'd seen them live and was struck by Mark's great singing and bass playing. He was perfect.”
The trio got to work on album two. Once again, life hit the pause button, with an XTC-related side project and Long Covid pushing Steve off course. Eight years after the debut, Clockwork Tulpa was finally released in March 2025. "The songs reflect life's ups and downs in that time," says Steve. “But I learned a valuable lesson: don't be swayed by other people's plans. Stick to your own path.”
Underpinning Circu5's music is a compelling concept: the story of Grady, a child raised by a secret organisation to become an ultra-high-functioning psychopath. Steve elaborates: “I'm fascinated by high-functioning psychopaths – people who can harness positive psychopathic behaviours like fearlessness and competitiveness, and suppress the condition's negative traits. I imagined a covert UK government program, codenamed Circu5, nurturing individuals with ultra-high-functioning psychopathy. The group's goals were to cure psychopathy while moulding leaders to advance the country's corporate, political and military goals.”
But as Steve explains, it's more than storytelling. "It's a reflection on how people deal with trauma without falling prey to isolating belief systems. Above all, Circu5 is about making the best songs we can."
