nom de plume | Electronic Press Kit

Nom De Plume is an eclectic indie rock band fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Aris Karabelas, with innovative bassist Michael Magee and an ensemble of musicians who bring the band’s artistic vision to life. Nom De Plume blends a surprising pop sensibility with indie folk-rock, Americana, classic, and progressive rock elements to create a signature style. They draw inspiration from folk and classic rock storytellers, guitar masters, and experimental icons.

Formed in Baltimore and later rooted in Boston’s vibrant original music scene, Nom De Plume released two full-length albums: Lovely Land and Ashes to Argyle. After a period of quiet collaboration, the band reemerged with new music that affirms their creative bonds and artistic vitality.

Building momentum ahead of their third studio album, Circle The Dream, Nom De Plume released a series of intriguing singles that explore themes of longing and resilience. Ranging from the eerie ache of “Once a Time of May” to the nuanced layers of “The Shadow,” and the raw vulnerability of “While My Eyes Gently Weep,” the band pushes musical boundaries while staying true to their emotional core. Rolling Stone Argentina praised Nom De Plume in anticipation of the album, writing:

“The single ‘The Shadow’... boasts an even more experimental sound, with intricate textures, although with the melancholic tone that characterizes Nom De Plume. A promising preview of Circle the Dream….”

Circle the Dream arrived August 14th, 2025, and is the result of a year-and-a-half journey that found the band in creative collaboration across state lines; from Maryland to Wyoming, upstate New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The album began with personal experiences and moments of reflection, struggle, and observation; but Nom De Plume never set out to make a confessional record. For Aris, music isn’t about telling their story. It’s about creating something listeners can connect with on their own terms. Once a song is out there, it’s not about the artist anymore. It’s about what it means to the listener.

That mindset shaped everything about the album, including the sound. The band used instrumentation deliberately, choosing each instrument, such as  violin, pedal steel, saxophone, cello, and layered harmonies, not for flair, but to serve the emotional tone of each track. Every element was chosen to reflect feeling and elicit emotions. Circle the Dream is built, not to explain, but to resonate and evoke. It’s indie rock with a wide-open heart, made for anyone who needs it.

The title track, “Circle the Dream,” anchors the album with its indie folk spirit and rousing energy. Layered with acoustic guitar, rich violin, and soaring vocal harmonies, it’s both cathartic and emotionally charged. The song captures the tension between longing and acceptance, and how we revisit memories, hopes, and losses in loops, trying to make sense of them. It’s about circling something elusive, something unfinished, and learning to live inside that ambiguity. That emotional undercurrent runs throughout the record, even when the sound shifts.

Compared to their previous release, Ashes to Argyle, a raw, power trio record designed to capture the energy of their live shows, Circle the Dream explores a broader musical palette. It leans into sonic texture and emotional nuance, exploring new territory while staying true to the band’s core: honest songwriting and intentional sound.

Whether you come for the lyrics, the musical textures, or just a moment of connection, Circle the Dream is yours to interpret, feel, and carry with you.