Interview Feedback

Hey Lauren,

Just a quick note to say thanks for the awesome interviews with both bands they were really great. And both bands seriously happy with them.

Cheers,

Kev

Kev has PR connections with both bands so I've been in contact with him a lot recently. I can't even describe how pleased I am that the bands liked the interviews! 

Interview: The Ghosts

Counteract were lucky enough to catch up with The Ghosts, minus Ian Palmer (drums), after their show at one of Birmingham’s more intimate venues, The End. They concluded their first UK tour in style as infectious synth pop riffs flew from the keys and driving dance beats were dropped left right and centre. Birmingham definitely enjoyed the show. The Ghosts enjoyed themselves too, “apart from the fact I had smoke in my eyes; I couldn’t see a thing,” explained Alex Starling; front man of The Ghosts. Don’t worry Alex, we didn’t notice.

“We’re like ABBA” was the response I got from Alex Starling when I asked the band how they’d come together. He jokily implied the coupled relationship between himself and Dan Whiffin (guitar), and between Alex Sharman and Rayna Ferner (both on keys). Dan however would definitely be victorious in a battle of the facial hair against Benny Anderson with his magnificent horseshoe! On a serious note, Alex Starling explained how the band formed; “Ian was recommended to me by Charlatan’s drummer, Jon Brookes… Me and Dan have been friends for a while and we’ve been in bands together in the past.” It’s obvious that the talented musicians that make up The Ghosts have all had past experiences in the industry as their performance was exceptionally professional.

So how did this superb five piece spend their last day of their tour? “We spent the day at Q studios and did an acoustic session for them, and then we went to Kerrang! studios where we met Duff McKagan (Guns and Roses)” Alex starling told me.  He dedicated a song to Duff on request during their set as he liked their “rockier stuff.” If legendary icons such as The Charlatans’ drummer and now Guns and Roses’ bassist like their stuff, then The Ghosts have got to be doing something right!

It turns out it’s not the band’s first time in Birmingham as this gig was somewhat of a homecoming. Starling informed me that Ian is a local Birmingham guy! It just so happens that it’s not the first time for Alex Starling either; “I spent some time in the Midlands when I was younger.” He joked that he’d “moved around a lot through school life because [he] was naughty.” He told me how his Irish family travelled around a lot (although not actually Irish travellers) and he ended up at a school in Wolverhampton.

Throughout the summer, The Ghosts have played gigs and festivals all over the place, including the infamous Chazzstock, or as Reyna misquoted, “Chavstock.” “I’d love to go to a festival called Chavstock” she laughed. Chazzstock was held in Wolverhampton in homage of the late Charlie Haddon of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool who tragically committed suicide back in 2010. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool was in fact Alex Starling’s old band! Among Alex Starling and The Ghosts, other bands including Tribes, The Horrors and The Vaccines played tribute to their late friend at what turned out to be a really special event.

Prior to the interview, Jack Bissel, the organiser of Chazzstock, told me to ask Alex Starling how he had “got done by [Jack] with a super-soaker and a Krispy Kreme doughnut.” I was extremely intrigued – I had to get to the bottom of this! It’s clear that Jack Bissel and Alex Starling have got an ongoing love hate relationship, full of friendly banter. Alex told me his side of the story; “I pelted Jack with 12 Krispy Kreme doughnuts while he was fast asleep.” “So an assorted dozen then” Alex Sharman interrupted. “He’s so stupid that he didn’t even realise.”  This donut war happened between the two whilst on tour with Ou Est Le Swimming pool. Jack tried to get revenge, but according to Alex his doughnut throwing skills weren’t up to scratch. I was even treated to an impression of Jack as Alex did a limp throwing action. “He’s a lovely guy, but as some people might say, he throws like a girl.” When you thought this conversation couldn’t get any weirder, Jack also tried to get Alex with a “supersoaker” or as Alex called it, “a tiny water pistol.” “I tipped one glass of water over him and he was more soaked than I was.”

I wanted to know if there had been any similarly crazy antics on The Ghosts’ tour. “I had a bath last night that was pretty wild” Reyna told me. “Well it was in Vodka” joked Alex Starling. Dan then showed me a video of Alex riding around the Kerrang! studios earlier that day on a miniature bicycle. Erm, rock on Alex?!

What can we expect from the Ghosts next?  Alex Starling informed me that “the next album is ready and written and we’ll hopefully be releasing something in the New Year. We’ll be having some time off too because Alex (Sharman) is having a baby!” After the success of their debut album, ‘The End’ I can’t wait to see what the next album brings.

The Ghosts are such an exciting new band. Their album showcases heartfelt lyrics about love and loss with a surprisingly upbeat backing track complete with new and electrifying sounds. These talented musicians make for a superb live band. I wish them all the very best in the release of their next album and the best of luck to soon-to-be dad, Alex Sharman.

Take a look at the published version in Counteract Magazine

Live: The Ghosts at The End, Birmingham

The Ghosts’ first UK tour came to an end at one of Birmingham’s smaller venues, The End, after their release of their critically acclaimed debut album, titled ‘The End;’ what a suitably fitting turn of fate! The indie-electro-pop five piece performed at one of Birmingham’s more intimate venues to a crowd much smaller than they deserve, although this was somewhat of a homecoming for local Midlands man, Ian Palmer; the drummer of the band.

The Ghosts are made up of Alex Starling, former member of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool and lead vocalist, New York trained jazz drummer Ian Palmer, Canadian Keys and Violin player Rayna Ferner with Dan Whiffin on guitar and Alex Sharman also on keys. Together, they have created atmospheric synth-pop at its very finest. The band was flawless and extremely professional and immensely captivating in their performance.

Alex dedicated one track to Guns and Roses’ Duff McKagan as they’d met him earlier in the day. Alex introduced it by saying “This one’s for Duff … I’ve always wanted to say that” which prompted laughter from the crowd!

There wasn’t one person who couldn’t be seen singing along, dancing or at the very least tapping a foot to the band’s singles, ‘Ghosts’ ‘Enough Time’ and latest single ‘Underrated.’ With Alex’s unique vocals over a driving dance beat and a generous helping of electronics, these brooding synth pop hits could get anyone dancing!

Following such a high quality performance, it’s not hard to imagine The Ghosts playing gigs at much larger venues in the not too distant future. This band are destined for greater success.

Photographs by Jonathan Morgan.

View the published article at Counteract Magazine

My first interview!

I had such a great night last night. If you remember, a couple of posts ago, I said that I was going to see The Ghosts? Well I did, and they were fantastic. It was in a teeny tiny room which made it even more special.

Remember Chazzstock? Well, the organiser of Chazzstock contacted me to say that I could interview Alex (lead singer of The Ghosts) after the gig and gave me his phone number! I have a famous person's name in my phone book ... (okay so he's not an A list celebrity but still). 

Jack (organiser of Chazzstock) ended with this comment: "make sure you ask Alex how he got done by me with a supersoaker and a Krispy Kreme donut x" This made for a very amusing conversation with Alex and a hilarious conversation via twitter after the gig ... look here.

I didn't need to be as nervous as I was! I ended up in the band's dressing room with almost the whole band! I'm really happy with how it went. Alex was so so friendly which really helped. I can't wait to get it published and hopefully I won't ruin Alex's career in the meantime.

Published

Check out the published versions and give them a cheeky like on facebook;

Jake Bugg

The Ghosts 

The Ghosts | Underrated single review

The third single to be taken from the band’s superb debut album, The End, is Underrated; ironically both by title and status! Indie pop five piece fronted by Alex Starling, former member of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, have created a masterpiece of synth pop. Underrated’s simple structure along with Alex’s unique vocals over atmospheric tones and the occasional chiming bell, complete with a driving dance beat and a generous helping of electronics is the perfect concoction. I'm under no illusion that you’ll be humming the catchy yet mildly downbeat chorus for days.

The single, co-produced by electro pop experts Andres Kallmark and Tim Bran has an equally captivating accompanying video, produced by Tim Burton collaborator Alex Kyrou. This great piece of black and white cinematography sees a surreal mix-up of worlds between a 1920s style Alex Starling and the rest of the band in modern day. The truly engaging and deeply clever concept video compliments the song well.

After a summer of festivals, including the infamous Chazzstock where they shared a stage with the likes of The Vaccines and The Horrors, the band are back to writing   and their first nationwide tour is set to begin in autumn. Underrated will be available to purchase or download on 15^th October.

www.facebook.com/wearetheghosts

The Ghosts - Underrated