moe. Unveils Circle of Giants — A Landmark Album Celebrating 35 Years

“It feels good to celebrate after the amount of shit we’ve been through,” says bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak with a good-natured laugh. Guitarist/vocalist Al Schnier adds: “We have always found our way forward because we have each other.” Chuck Garvey, guitarist/vocalist and co-founder, concludes: “It’s this brotherhood and our extended moe. family that always gets us through.”

Founded 35 years ago at the University of Buffalo, moe. emerged from freewheeling jam sessions bursting with genre-defying creativity and tongue-in-cheek humor. Since then, their tireless work ethic, DIY resourcefulness, and fiercely loyal fanbase—the Famoe.ly—have propelled them to become one of the most enduring and influential bands in the jam scene.

Circle of Giants is a reflection of perseverance in the face of adversity. As the band prepared for their 30th-anniversary celebration, bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak triumphed over cancer, only for the pandemic to bring everything to a standstill. Just as they regained momentum, co-founder Chuck Garvey suffered a life-altering stroke. Against the odds, Garvey made a remarkable recovery and returned to the stage, only for Derhak to face another devastating personal loss with the passing of his son.

Channeling their grief into music, moe. turned their pain into a collection brimming with emotion and musical brilliance. “Making this record started off very joyfully, but then we experienced a severely traumatic event,” says Schnier. “The way through the darkness was to do what we do—make music.”

With fresh energy and no shortage of new material, the band entered Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, Vermont, working with longtime engineer Ben Collette (Phish, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Snarky Puppy). “My wife and I made a decision to be honest and open up a dialogue about mental illness to benefit others who may be contemplating taking their lives,” Derhak shares.

As a creative catharsis, moe. reconvened at Derhak’s barn studio after the initial sessions to record more material, including Wilson’s song “Giants.” The album concludes with the imaginatively arranged “Living Again,” a Schnier-penned track with a sweeping narrative and expansive group improvisation.

In support of Circle of Giants, moe. is currently on an extensive U.S. tour, bringing their high-energy performances to fans across the country. Stops include The Fillmore in San Francisco, Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, and The Eastern in Atlanta. Later in the year, they’ll headline major festivals including Mountain Jam and Northlands, sharing the stage with acts like Goose, Khruangbin, and The String Cheese Incident. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://moe.org/tour.