NYC funk-rock band Circus Mind is gearing up to release their powerful new single, “The Battle of Brooklyn,” a track that draws a bold and compelling line between America’s first Revolutionary War battle and the modern-day struggles of gentrification in the heart of New York.
The song was born from a moment of inspiration. Frontman Mark Rechler was listening to an NPR podcast when he heard mention of the historic 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. Having recently relocated to Greenpoint, the story hit home…literally.
“It struck me that the very ground I was walking on held so much history,” he said. “I started digging into it and suddenly the lyrics just poured out. The song started to write itself—and that’s always the best kind of creative rush.”
Lyrically vivid and musically gritty, “The Battle of Brooklyn” opens with vivid imagery of colonial warfare—reinforcements, flanks, bone boxes, and prison ships—before taking a poignant and timely turn. Here, the narrative pivots from muskets and bayonets to bulldozers and broker fees, turning its lens on the ongoing battle of gentrification.
Musically, the track is quintessential Circus Mind—groovy, driving, and sonically rich with the band’s signature blend of funk, rock, and soul. The release continues their tradition of pairing infectious grooves with thought-provoking lyrics.
“The Battle of Brooklyn” is a timely anthem that merges the past and present of a borough constantly evolving—and a community constantly adapting. For Circus Mind, it’s more than a song, it’s a statement.
The single will be available on all major streaming platforms. For updates and exclusive previews, follow Circus Mind!
Circus Mind brings the greasy funky vibes once again with their new single The NoLa Song, a high-energy New Orleans-inspired anthem that captures the soul, swagger and street party energy of the Big Easy mixed with the bands New York grit and flair. Infused with deep-groove rhythms, brassy horn blasts, and a second-line pulse, “The NoLa Song" is a bold tribute to one of the world’s most musically rich cities. From its infectious opening groove to its foot-stomping, dance-ready finale, “The NoLa Song” radiates the unmistakable spirit of New Orleans funk. The track is an open invitation to jump into the street Parade and dance yourself down to your closest favorite eatery to celebrate the Crescent City.
“New Orleans is the single best place in the universe for food, drink, and a party, it’s left an indelible mark on my soul and like many of us who know its gifts….we yearn to get back there whenever possible” says Bandleader Mark Rechler.
Circus Mind is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of Mark Rechler. The band's last album Bioluminate, a delightful mashup of rock and NoLa funk mixed with late-Beatles pop, received rave reviews from Relix, The Rocktologist and countless other entertainment news outlets. The band features Mark Rechler on Keys and Vocals, Brian Duggan on Guitar, Michael Amendola on Sax, Matt Fox on Bass, Steve Finkelstein on Percussion and Dan Roth on Drums. Circus Mind is able to daringly swing from jazzy grooves to reggae roots then shoot out of a cannon into rock without missing a beat. The boys deliver a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa influences like Dr. John, The Meters and The Neville Brothers.
The band has played and recorded with Cyril Neville, Leo Nocentelli, Big Sam, Walter Wolfman Washington, Rebirth Brass Band and more. Over the course of their career, Circus Mind has performed around Jazz Fest, Fat Friday Annual Mardi Gras Ball, Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, B.B. King’s and many other prestigious venues.
