#43 - Living Together - Circa Survive

"Living Together" – An Illustrated Interpretation

"He makes it up as it goes, it goes away, to places he can only hide in other people's minds."

This lyric from Circa Survive’s "Living Together" has always struck me as a powerful representation of identity, dissociation, and the struggle to define oneself in an ever-shifting reality. As part of my Drawn to Noise project, where I illustrate every song from On Letting Go, I wanted to create a piece that visually embodies these themes.

For this artwork, I used a vintage anatomical cross-section of a human head, revealing a hollowed-out brain cavity where a figure sits curled up in thought. This imagery represents the idea of a person constructing their identity in a space that only exists in the minds of others—questioning what is real, what is fabricated, and where they truly belong.

Artistic Choices & Process

• A Six-Color Palette: Inspired by retro tattoo flash sheets, balancing warmth and contrast.

• Rough Textures: Adding an aged, tactile feel to reflect the song’s emotional depth.

• Stylized Comic/Tattoo Aesthetic: A fusion of classic anatomical illustrations and bold vintage tattoos, creating an expressive yet structured visual language.

Why Circa Survive?

Circa Survive’s music has always felt deeply visual to me—Anthony Green’s lyrics evoke strong imagery that begs to be explored through art. "Living Together" is an incredible album opener, setting the tone for On Letting Go’s themes of detachment, change, and self-exploration.

What are your interpretations of this song? How does Circa’s music inspire you creatively?

🔗 See more of my work on Instagram: @drawn_to_noise
🔗 Visit my portfolio at: drawntonoise.com