Halo Circus
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Allison Iraheta, Matthew Hager |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Halo Circus was an American electronic music duo established in 2013 by original members Allison Iraheta and Matthew Hager, who reformed the group as a duo in 2018.[1][2]
History
The inception of Halo Circus dates back to 2013. Allison Iraheta, known for reaching the finals on the eighth season of American Idol, had previously launched her debut album, Just Like You, through Jive in 2009. During her touring period, she encountered Matthew Hager, a songwriter, musician, and producer. Their collaboration on a track led them to form a band, subsequently bringing in drummer Valerie Franco and guitarist David Immerman, both of whom had prior connections with Iraheta.[1]
Iraheta described the band's name as embodying "the juxtaposition of light and darkness in our world," where "Halo" represents sanctity and "circus" signifies the surrounding disorder.[3]
Gone EP and initial live shows (2013-2014)
Their first live performance took place in January 2013 at Los Angeles' Troubadour.[4] Shortly thereafter, they featured on Yahoo Music with accordionist Gee Rabe.
After signing with indie label Manimal Vinyl in 2013, they released the single "Gone," which included two remixes and a Spanish-language version. The track was penned by the founding trio prior to officially forming the band and reflected Iraheta's experience following her release from Jive Records in 2011.[4][5] Iraheta characterized this phase as challenging but essential for their artistic drive.
With Veronica Bellino replacing Franco on drums midway through 2013, Halo Circus performed at prominent events such as the Whisky a Go Go's 50th anniversary celebration and participated in two Grammy Awards showcases alongside artists including Emmylou Harris and Heart.
In July 2014, they contributed the track "Do You Believe in Shame" to the Duran Duran tribute compilation Making Patterns Rhyme, alongside acts like Moby and Warpaint. By September 2014, Halo Circus embarked on a four-week residency at Hollywood's Hotel Café.[4]
2015-2017: Bunny, East Lansing EP and touring
In February 2015, following Brian Stead's arrival as guitarist replacing David Immerman, the band decided to postpone their planned debut album. It was subsequently re-recorded over six weeks at Little White Lotus Studios in Compton, California, with production by Hager and mixing by Craig Bauer.
Their lead single "Desire (Lo Que Vale La Pena)" was released in February 2016 via BitTorrent, exploring themes of liberation and repression. The accompanying video, directed by Nick Egan and filmed in South Central L.A., featured Iraheta wearing a sash labeled "Immigrant."
In February 2016, Halo Circus collaborated with crowdfunding platform RoadNation to finance their inaugural national tour. Their debut album, Bunny, was launched on June 23, 2016. Iraheta acknowledged that the tour’s positive reception facilitated work on their subsequent album.
The "Follow the Rabbit US Summer Tour" commenced on August 18, 2016, in Southern California with Iraheta, Hager, Stead, and Bellino performing. In September, Matteo Eyia took over drumming duties from Bellino, who went on to tour Australia alongside guitarist Orianthi.
On May 5, 2017, Halo Circus released The East Lansing Sessions, a five-track EP recorded at Troubadour Recording Studios during their 2016 tour. It featured three reimagined tracks from Bunny, along with the song "Stand Up" and a cover of Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done."
By June 2017, Halo Circus embarked on a 30-date "Intimate Spring Tour," performing as a duo consisting of Iraheta and Hager due to lineup changes that left them without a guitarist or drummer. Opting not to cancel dates, they adapted to a more minimalistic setup.
2018-2019: Robots and Wranglers and the group's dissolution
In March 2018, Halo Circus unveiled their album Robots and Wranglers, which was introduced by the lead single "Narcissist" and supported through a tour consisting of 24 dates. Iraheta characterized the record as possessing a "cinematic quality," with a sonic atmosphere that felt "as if captured aboard a spaceship."
Following an eight-month hiatus from social media, on September 25, 2019, Iraheta revealed via Facebook that Halo Circus would cease operations, attributing the decision to her professional and personal separation from Hager.
Band members
- Allison Iraheta – lead vocals (2013–2019)
- Matthew Hager – bass, keyboards (2013–2019)
- Brian Stead – lead guitar, backing vocals (2015–2018)
- Veronica Bellino – drums, backing vocals (2013–2016)
- David Immerman – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–2015)
- Valerie Franco – drums, backing vocals (2013)
- Liz Anne Hill – bass, backing vocals (2010)
- Gerry Mattei – keyboards, backing vocals (2010)
- Matteo Eyia – drums, backing vocals (2016)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak positions | Certifications (sales threshold) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Digital | |||
| 2016 | Bunny
|
- | - | |
| 2018 | Robots and Wranglers
|
- | - | |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBB2 - ↑ Sinister, Bearly (May 18, 2016). "Interview: Allison Iraheta of Halo Circus". New-transcendence.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
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