For On The Record, we caught up with Nom De Plume, the eclectic indie-rock outfit led by singer-songwriter Aris Karabelas and innovative bassist Michael Magee. The band has re-emerged with their third studio album, Circle the Dream, which is a vibrant blend folk-rock, americana and prog-rock elements throughout which the duo explore themes of longing, resilience and internal struggle. Crafted across multiple locations in the US, this album builds an evocative soundscape with diverse instrumentation and open-hearted lyrics. We wanted to dive further into the emotional core of this record, following those threads of tension, the pursuit of dreams and the surrender of expectations. And so, Karabelas joined us to talk about the inspiration, the collaborative process and what the band hopes listeners will discover in this compelling new release.
Welcome to Unrecorded! For those who aren’t already familiar with Nom De Plume, can you introduce yourself?
Hi, this is Aris Karabelas from Nom De Plume! Super excited to be talking to you and your readers today! I am the singer, songwriter and guitarist for the band, and Michael Magee is the bassist. Mike and I form the core of Nom De Plume.
You’ve just released your album, Circle the Dream, so what sparked the vision for this album?
We’ve been writing, refining, and gathering song ideas for a good number of years now. For our third studio album, we wanted to create a concept album with each song contributing to the larger mood and theme. These ten songs fit together in a way that felt right, like puzzle pieces forming a picture. We love leaving space for listeners to interpret and find their own meaning in our songs.
Considering that the album was crafted across different states, from Maryland to Wyoming, do you think that geography and movement influenced it?
Yes, I do think the different states we recorded in influenced the creative process. Each location had its own emotional temperature and that subtly shaped how we approached the songs.
Where does that tension between following dreams versus surrendering to expectation comes from in the title-track ‘Circle the Dream’?
Honestly, it comes from real experiences. I think most of us have probably had moments where we’ve felt torn between doing something personally meaningful versus doing what’s expected. The song “Circle the Dream” is about that tension, where you’re not sure whether to keep pushing forward or let go. Musically, it’s one of the more rousing tracks on the album. The energy builds with almost like a rallying cry, not because that tension is resolved, but because it’s being faced head-on.
There’s a throughline of longing and resilience in the record, would you say that’s drawn from personal experience or a wish to capture universal feelings?
I think it’s both, really. I think some of the most powerful songs are those that reflect the true experiences of the artist, in an authentic way. And that in return, draws in others who can relate and connect. Longing and resilience are things we’ve felt, but they’re also part of the human experience.
Was it a purposeful choice to create some vagueness with your lyrics so listeners can imprint their one perspective onto Circle the Dream?
Yes, definitely. Not everything is spelled out, and that’s on purpose. We want listeners to bring their own experiences to the songs and to find meaning that feels personal. Some lyrics come from specific moments in our lives, but we write them in a way that invites interpretation.
Can you describe the headspace you were in while writing the vulnerable single ‘While My Eyes Gently Weep’?
I was in a pretty heavy headspace while writing “While My Eyes Gently Weep.” There was a lot of sorrow, a sense of things falling apart, personally and in the world around me. That song came from trying to accept the feelings and trying to process all of it. It’s one of the more vulnerable moments on the record, and I hope listeners feel and relate to its intensity.
You’ve made the choice to lean into more americana and folk motifs here, so do you have any key inspirations in those genres?
We didn’t set out to lean into Americana or folk specifically. It just what came out naturally. Our process is instinctive, I think. We ask, “What does this song need?” and let that guide the instrumentation and arrangement. Sometimes that means acoustic textures, pedal steel, or more open arrangements that happen to fall into those genres. It’s less about consciously using one style over another, and more about serving the emotional core of each track. There are too many awesome artists that we love, to name any specific ones as inspiration.
What do you hope that listeners take away from this album?
We hope listeners come away feeling like they’ve discovered something rare, interesting, and unexpected! If it sparks curiosity, lingers in their thoughts, or makes them ask questions they didn’t expect, then it’s done what we hoped it would.
Following the release of Circle the Dream, what will be next on the horizon for you?
We’ve started mapping out the next record and are super excited to how these new set of songs will unfold. Right now, we’re focused on touring and sharing Circle the Dream, which has been such a meaningful release for us. The radio play, streams, and fan responses have been incredible, and we’re grateful for every new listener.
You can also listen to title-track ‘Circle The Dream’ in our Folk This Way playlist.
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