About Circa — CIRCA RECORDINGS

ABOUT THE LABEL

Circa Recordings believes music has the ability to define the sound of a modern generation while building on the rich traditions of the past.

Defining the modern classical genre requires a balancing of two ends of a vast musical spectrum. Classical music spans hundreds of years, while “modern” music spans a handful of decades. Emerging composers are borrowing from the traditions of classics and tuned to a perspective embraced by a contemporary audience. Our recordings represent a sound and aesthetic of a modern era – a time and space happening right now.

Circa represents emerging modern classical composers from around the world, as well as electronic and avant-garde artists.

L O S A N G E L E S | C H I C A G O

KHYAAM HAQUE
Composer & Co-Founder

Khyaam Haque is an artist and composer based out of Chicago, Illinois who primarily composes classical, new age, and electronic music.

His inspiration transpired from the cinematic moments of his own life experiences. From his memories and relationships to his loneliness and solitude, Khyaam discovered a foundation of creativity that transcended into his own conglomerate of storytelling stemming from his life obstacles. A composer that works with variation, repetition along with a reoccurring melody, his albums evoke an environment of musical themes that are incredibly cohesive and invite the listener into his world.

Khyaam began in his childhood, learning classical guitar while growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico. That later transitioned into playing electric guitar and playing anything from Alternative, Post-rock, Jazz, Metal, to other styles of music. The instrument shaped him as an artist and led him to pursue an education in Audio Production at Columbia College Chicago, where he received his Bachelor's degree. During this time, Khyaam began experimenting with piano, synthesizers, and recording. Today, piano is the primary instrument used in the music he composes.

In 2016, Khyaam released his first album Sonorous Laments For A Future Past. This album, with its minimalist arrangements and elegance – firmly established his musical identity as a pianist.

Following his first release, Khyaam later developed a partnership with Los Angeles based, creative director Christo Downs. After working on various projects together, with Christo at the helm of design and Khyaam with composing and recording music, respectively – the pair formed the record label Circa Recordings – a tribute to modern, neoclassical, and avante-garde music.

CHRISTO DOWNS
Creative Director & Co-Founder

Based in Los Angeles, Christo Downs is a creative director with 25 years of experience in the design industry. His work spans multiple industries and includes clients such as Nike, Levis, ESPN, Giorgio Armani, the Cosmos TV Series and the Carl Sagan Institute.

Developing a fascination with graphic design at a young age, his interest in design for music was prompted by the iconic album cover designs by Peter Saville for Joy Division, New Order and OMD for Factory Records. Other equally important influences are the works of Vaughan Oliver and Chris Bigg as the defining designers of 4AD Records for Cocteau Twins, Pixies, Lush and David Sylvian among many other artists.

Seeking to combine his love of music with his passion for design, Christo began developing new opportunities to collaborate with like-minded musicians. This lead to a close creative partnership with composer Khyaam Haque, as well as cover artwork for Japanese composer Marika Takeuchi and new work for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer Michael Shrieve (Santana). Christo also designed the first ever Stan Getz double-disc set combining Jazz Samba & Getz/Gilberto which was released by Nordstrom Music.

Christo co-founded Circa Recordings with Khyaam Haque in 2020 and serves as the label’s creative director.