Circus Trees: This Makes Me Sad, and I Miss You — A Sibling Story Told in Sound

Genre: Indie-folk / post-rock

Released: 2024

Members: Fin, Eoghan, Edmee

Notable Tracks: “More Than You Could Ask For,” “Trap Door,” “Save Yourself”

Hometown: Marlborough, MA

Inside the emotional world of “This Makes Me Sad, and I Miss You.

Words by Jack - Tilley's Music Guidance

🎧 Listen while you read:This Makes Me Sad, and I Miss You on Spotify

A Band That Bleeds Honesty

Every once in a while, you come across a band whose music doesn’t just sound good — it feels like something. That’s what happened when I first listened to This Makes Me Sad, and I Miss You, the latest release from Circus Trees, an indie trio of siblings from Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Their songs aren’t interested in surface-level polish or manufactured hooks — they reach straight into something quieter, more vulnerable. Built on layers of feeling, reflection, and memory, this album feels like reading someone’s diary... if that diary came with reverb-drenched guitars and harmonies that catch you off guard.

I had the chance to speak with the band — two sisters and their brother — for a wide-ranging, personal conversation that touched on everything from healing through music, to growing up in the suburbs, to how their dad introduced them to David Bowie. What follows is a deep dive into their world — not just as musicians, but as people navigating life, emotion, and identity together.

If you’ve ever felt like no one else was going through what you’re feeling — listen to Circus Trees. And if you want to know what it’s like to grow up inside a song, read on.

This album is us.”

"You can hear us growing up through our music."

Their earlier work dealt with abstract emotional concepts, but this album marks a turning point — a shift into direct autobiography.

“With this release, every song is about an experience we actually lived. We grew up with an absent parent, and this album explores how that affected us emotionally.”

The result is an eleven-track arc that feels like private journaling set to music. Songs like “Trap Door” and “I’m A Person Too” dig into emotional weight with devastating simplicity, while “More Than You Could Ask For” opens the album with immediate poignancy.

Writing as a Way to Heal

“Playing ‘Save Yourself’ always stirs something. It never feels routine.”

For Circus Trees, songwriting isn’t a product of performance — it’s a necessity. Their music serves as a release valve for emotions they’ve carried for years.

“We write about things that are hard to talk about. If it helps us get through, maybe it helps someone else too.”

That’s the magic here. The lyrics are specific, but never alienating. Their emotional truth creates space for listeners to connect — especially those who’ve known silence in their own households.

The Creative Process: Honest, Messy, True

“We journal, we riff, we chase whatever feels real.”

There’s no formula in Circus Trees' process — only feeling. Sometimes the words come first, other times it’s a guitar line. Lately, journaling has played a big role in refining what they’re trying to say.

“Most of what I write now is about overthinking. It’s trying to untangle something internal — sometimes uncomfortable, always personal.”

Building the Album, One Basement Session at a Time

“Some songs needed ten versions. Some were done in one take.”

The recording of This Makes Me Sad, and I Miss You was a long, meticulous process. Fin and Eoghan often worked late into the night, experimenting and refining, sending ideas back and forth to the family until it just clicked.

“We knew a track was finished the moment we felt it was done. It was instinctive. We didn’t over-polish.”

That restraint is evident. Every track is careful, but not sterile — emotionally controlled, but never distant.

 The Freedom to Bend Genres

“Foxing changed everything for us.”

The band cite St. Louis group Foxing and UK legend David Bowie as major influences — not just for their music, but for their disregard of genre boundaries. That same spirit drives Circus Trees.

“We don’t limit ourselves to one sound. We just do what feels right.”

Across the album, you’ll hear moments that flirt with shoegaze, folk, ambient, and post-rock — all while remaining cohesive.

Sibling Sync

“We communicate through sound. It’s unspoken.”

Being in a band with your siblings has its challenges, but Circus Trees make it sound like a superpower. Their connection is evident in both their studio dynamics and live performances.

“During our tour with Say Anything, I kept thinking — I’m lucky. I get to do this with them.”

Their family bond isn’t a gimmick — it’s the glue. It holds together the deeply personal subject matter with trust, honesty, and musical chemistry.

Roots in Marlborough

Growing up in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the band was immersed in music from a young age — participating in jazz band, concert band, and marching band.

“There was always a strong music community here. But suburban life also has this quiet sadness. That feeling definitely shows up in our music.”

Soundtrack to a Hidden Struggle

“Our music fits best in stories about internal conflict — where someone’s struggling, but no one knows.”

You could easily imagine Circus Trees on a film soundtrack — not during dramatic climaxes, but in moments of stillness. Late-night walks. Mirror stares. Emotional reckonings.

Why This Album Works

Relatable Themes

Longing, silence, growth, and grief — written with nuance and tenderness.

Cohesive Atmosphere

Eleven songs, one emotional world. It flows like a journal you can’t put down.

Minimalist Production

Nothing distracts. Every lyric lands. The intimacy is never overproduced.

Final Thoughts

“We’re not focused on writing new music yet — we’re still inside this one.”

Circus Trees isn’t rushing the next thing. They’re giving this album time to live, to breathe — to reach the people who need it.

“We’ll always write from personal experience. That’s what keeps us connected to the music. It’s about us, and our journey.”

Follow Circus Trees

Twitter/X: @CircusTrees

Instagram: @circustreesband

Spotify: Listen Now

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About the Author

Jack Tilley is a UK-based teacher and music writer with a passion for emotionally-driven storytelling through sound. With a keen eye for lyrical honesty and a love of indie subcultures, Jack covers the music that lingers long after the last note fades.

Based in the UK | Lover of soundtracks and shoegaze | Follow for more artist interviews and deep dives