A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel has revealed that new music is actively taking shape as the band prepares to return to Australia and New Zealand this December.
Speaking with us ahead of the tour, Howerdel said he is currently working in his studio on material for the next A Perfect Circle album, with the amplifier literally still switched on during our conversation.
“I mean, I’m working on it right now. I’m in there in the studio. I mean, I’m at my studio right now, so just taking a break to talk to you and then getting back to it. I mean, the amp is literally on idle right now.”
The comments offer the clearest indication yet that the follow up to 2018’s Eat The Elephant is taking shape, although Howerdel is keeping the focus firmly on the creative process rather than a release timeline.
That process recently produced ‘Starless’, a song that arrived almost accidentally.
A Perfect Circle ‘Starless’ visualizer
Recording process
Howerdel recalled sitting in his living room with a small practice amp when he picked up his guitar while waiting for someone to return from the bathroom.
“Just somebody had to use the bathroom and just picked the guitar up, and it just came out.”
He recorded the idea on his phone before developing it into a full song, which he then sent to Maynard James Keenan. According to Howerdel, the track moved unusually quickly from initial idea to completed vocals.
That collaborative relationship remains one of A Perfect Circle’s defining strengths, but Howerdel says working with Keenan is not simply a case of two musicians automatically thinking alike.
“You’re not just in lockstep. You’re kind of trying to overlap, find the places where you overlap,” he explained.
For Howerdel, that difference is essential. He compares writing music with another person to having a conversation, where the unexpected responses are what keep things interesting.
“If you wanted to talk to yourself, it would be boring as hell.”
While Howerdel continues to accumulate ideas, he has also been assessing where each piece belongs, with trusted friends such as Nine Inch Nails associate Danny Lohner providing an outside perspective.
“He’s like a friend of all of ours, and he’s just good. He’s unfiltered and he’s immediate,” Howerdel said.
Firing on all cylinders
The guitarist is equally enthusiastic about where A Perfect Circle sits as a live band today, after revisiting performances from different eras, he believes the current incarnation is the strongest yet.
“I’m really not trying to be PR guy, but like I think we’re the best version of the band we’ve had. Like I think we’re really firing all cylinders.”
We can find out for ourselves when A Perfect Circle finally return to Australian stages in December, Howerdel last visited Australia with the band in 2013, and the upcoming run will mark their first Australian shows since then.
“I love Australia,” he said. “It’s been 2013, right? That’s I looked it back up and… It was a long time ago. That was definitely a long time ago, but it’s nice to come back and do our own shows again.”
The Australian and New Zealand run will feature special guests Puscifer and Dave Hill, taking in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland.
A Perfect Circle Australia & New Zealand 2026
With special guests Puscifer & Dave Hill
- Friday, December 4th – Adelaide, The Drive
- Sunday, December 6th – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
- Tuesday, December 8th – Brisbane, Riverstage
- Thursday, December 10th – Sydney, Carriageworks
- Friday, December 11th – Sydney, TikTok Entertainment Centre – SOLD OUT
- Sunday, December 13th – Auckland, Spark Arena
Tickets are on sale now.
Life outside of music
Away from A Perfect Circle, Howerdel is already thinking about what comes next. He has deliberately separated another batch of material for his solo work, with the intention of returning to it after the next A Perfect Circle album.
“Right after the right after this next APC album.”
For now, though, his attention remains firmly on A Perfect Circle, new music and getting back on stage.
And when he isn’t making music, Howerdel has plenty of other creative outlets, including gardening, photography, construction and cooking. He even offered one particularly confident assessment of his culinary abilities.
“I’m a better cook than I’m a guitar player.”
We’ll let the December shows speak for themselves on the guitar part, lock it in.
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