Leyo's Circus Is in Town: A Wild New EP on Cécille Records

When you’re not working on music, what kinds of experiences or environments help refill your creative energy?
– My family, my friends, going to the gym, locking myself out of the rollercoaster I’m in on a daily basis with my headphones on. Or of course, in the circus feeding the lions and wrestling bears.

If Circus had a visual identity—like a movie or color palette—how would you describe it?
– It would be scary, fun, and hypnotizing. Some parts you want to look away from, but you can’t. While you keep watching, you come to the conclusion that you didn’t want to miss any part—because it’s too sexy.

Do you have any non-musical influences (like films, books, or fashion) that have shaped your artistic vision?
– Classic movies like Pootie Tang and The Lion King, because they’re lit like me.

What’s something about your creative workflow that might surprise people?
– That I work in a full band setup. I’m really running around in the studio like a crazy professor. I always ask Memru to bring 20 different types of bass and regular guitars, along with analog synths. I’m even planning to work with percussion in the future.

How do you balance spontaneity with structure in the studio?
– I don’t. Music is organic, and it starts with silence. The only structure I have is that it starts with silence.

When you’re building a set, how much of it is planned versus pure feeling in the moment?
– 50/50. I give myself a guideline, but I also want to feel the crowd—because I feel like I am in the crowd. It’s like a house party you go to, but you’re the guy on the Bluetooth speaker. So you always have to leave some space to make decisions in the moment.

You’ve got a strong connection to your roots—how do you carry that into new spaces or international crowds?
– By keeping it smooth and sexy, like the South American stuff. Sometimes a song doesn’t have to be high energy because of the BPM or the hard kicks. I really want to tell my story and decide whether it’s high energy or not by pulling people into that story—just like getting pulled into the Surinamese Amazon.

If you could play Circus live anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
– Bali, because it’s the best place on earth. It has nature, open-minded people, and the best waves to surf.

Can you share a moment recently—on stage or in the studio—where you felt totally in your element?
– The studio and the stage are my elements, so basically every time. When I do what I love, I’m happy. The Cécille nights are really cool because the people come for IDs and new music, which connects perfectly with my sound.

How would you describe the relationship between you and Cécille—what makes that label the right home for Circus?
– Because I know Marc and Nicky through our last job at the circus. I always enjoyed their monkey act—that was really sick, inspiring, and sometimes even emotional.

What’s one thing you hope people feel, think, or remember after listening to Circus?
– That they will donate all their belongings to their local circus—at least. And that they pursue their lives partying without belongings and fulfill their hearts with my music.