Tricircula is an original instrumental group from Geelong, co‑formed by drummer and visual artist Matt Bonner, guitarist Tim Bell, and bassist Phil Bloomfield. Their music blends psychedelic rock, blues‑infused grooves, electronic textures, progressive rhythms and nostalgic influences drawn from the cartoons, films, TV shows and pop culture of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
The band integrates live music with real‑time multimedia visuals designed and performed by Matt, creating long‑form performances that move between deep groove, atmospheric soundscapes and expansive cinematic energy. These shows explore dream‑state environments, cosmic journeys and rhythm‑driven intensity without requiring a fully surrounding visual space, making the experience adaptable to a wide range of venues.
Tricircula debuted its first major multimedia works at ROAM 2025, presenting fully developed pieces such as Cosmic Drift, Vivid Dreams, Channel Surfing, Moonlight Breeze and Lost in Transmission. These performances established the band’s evolving visual language and confirmed the strength of its integrated music‑and‑media identity.
The group has recently expanded its sound with the addition of Geelong‑based saxophonist Duff Swanson, whose expressive playing adds a new tonal dimension to Tricircula’s blend of psychedelic rock, electronic fusion, blues/Texas shuffle, disco and funk.
Tricircula performs in a wide variety of settings, from small intimate shows focused purely on the music to larger multimedia performance events that feature extended visuals and long‑form audio‑visual storytelling.
Tim Bell
Tim’s eclectic inspiration spans heavy metal, new wave, punk, and blues, drawing from artists like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, W.A.S.P., Sex Pistols, and Ramones, as well as guitar icons such as Jimi Hendrix. Growing up in a musical family, he began his journey with piano and trumpet before taking up guitar and diving into jazz courses.
Tim’s career includes two decades of playing in cover bands across Victoria and Melbourne, performing for mental health causes and supporting other well-known artists. As an artist with synesthesia, he brings a unique creative perspective to his music. In Tricircula, Tim embraces the joy of originality, improvising alongside Phil and Matt while crafting “musically interesting” soundscapes.
Phil Bloomfield
Phil’s musical journey began with a blend of 1970s rock and folk, inspired by artists like The Seekers and Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds. His tastes evolved into the powerful sounds of 1980s metal icons such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, and the infectious grooves of pop legends like Michael Jackson. In the 90s, his love for Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers helped shape his distinctive style. His synesthesia adds a vivid, painterly dimension to his music, giving his performances a unique and creative edge.
From playing organ pedals for fun as a child to performing in an original metal band for a decade and collaborating with cover bands since 1992, Phil’s career highlights include supporting the renowned European metal band Arcturus and signing with a record label after an unforgettable lunchtime concert. Phil finds freedom and joy in creating and improvising with Tricircula, driven by his fun and groovy music style.
Matt Bonner
Matt’s musical journey began with learning piano as a child, inspired by his mother’s dream to play the instrument herself. He later learned guitar in high school, fueled by his love for Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Nirvana, and Primus, and he eventually developed a passion for electronic music through bands like The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers. Over the years, Matt has played piano, guitar, drums, and electronic instruments, performing with an electronic band in the early 2000s and playing in an acoustic band with his wife, Liz. His passion for visual storytelling extends beyond music, as he has created original compositions and soundscapes throughout his career in projection art and filmmaking.
Now the drummer, electronic music creator, and visual artist for Tricircula, Matt thrives on incorporating innovative elements like synthesizers, samplers, and projection art into the band’s performances. His musical style is fun and quirky, and his vision for Tricircula is ambitious, delivering spectacular musical and visual experiences that take audiences on a journey, leaving them in awe.
Duff Swanson
Duff Swanson discovered his passion for music later in life when his wife hired a tenor sax for his 41st birthday. Although he didn’t grow up in a musical family, his childhood home was filled with the sounds of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, JJ Cale, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones, shaping his early love of melody and mood. Influenced by jazz greats such as Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond, Hank Mobley, Chris Potter, Julien Wilson, and Jamie Oehlers, Duff developed a style that is melody‑driven with a strong blues character. He has performed with the Geelong Concert Band and rock covers outfit The Jokers, with highlights including appearances at the Port Fairy and Geelong Jazz and Blues festivals as part of the Jazz Apprentices.
In Tricircula, Duff brings the expressive, voice‑like quality of the saxophone to the band’s sound, shaping melodic lines that add a warm, human presence within their instrumental landscape. His vision leans into psychedelic blues, prog‑rock, and trance, adding sax textures that deepen and enhance Tricircula’s immersive atmosphere.