Ghostkeeper keeps it colourful
By Lindsey Rivait
Arts
Editor
March 10, 2010
 With many bands looking for the next piece of technology to jump on, it’s nice to hear the warm sounds of analog on Calgary band Ghostkeeper’s new album.
Their self-titled second album, released on Tuesday, was definitely a step forward for the group, however.
Recording their first record was the first time leads Shane Ghostkeeper and Sarah Houle had been in a studio.
Eschewing the digital technology, Ghostkeeper kept to analog their second time around.
“Dealing with the click track, headphones, and overdubbing was pretty much a nightmare [for the first album]. We were a lot more prepared for this one, said Shane Ghostkeeper.
“Everything was based on our performance and our own timing. We didn’t even bother using click tracks and stuff like that. We kept it loose and honest. It was more our style and our own tempo. We’re just really happy to work with tape and leave computers out of it,” continued Ghostkeeper, adding that he hopes to keep working with tape on future albums.
The album was recorded on vintage analog tape machines, with the tapes spliced together by band members Jay Crocker (keyboard, lap steel, lead guitar, vocals) and Scott Munroe (bass, vocals).
The band hasn’t completely given up on technology, of course. They are constantly searching for ways to evolve and to challenge themselves.
“We’re always challenging ourselves with new technical parts to go with our new songs. We’re always evolving, changing, and challenging, so we’re not bored,” explained Ghostkeeper.
Their biggest priority, however, is to entertain, and Ghostkeeper and Houle take their responsibilities as entertainers very seriously.
“We want to give the crowd something interesting or visually wowing. We’re there to entertain, so we’re always going to try to be challenging ourselves,” he said.
Growing up in a Métis community has defined their music, with Ghostkeeper drawing on his Métis heritage and experience in his songs.
“The songs we write are pretty personal, at least for myself. I shouldn’t speak for Sarah. I am Métis and that’s my experience. Like every other artist representative of their surroundings, so are we,” Ghostkeeper said.
High Level, Alberta, the community Ghostkeeper is from, is very multicultural.
“It’s been a huge part of staying fresh, especially coming to Calgary where every musician we know is white. It seems to be unique here, anyway. It’s a good little novelty so far. A little brown is something special. Sprinkling a little pepper upon the scene wherever we go,” Ghostkeeper laughed.
The band is almost finished writing their third album, which they’ll be honing in on when they’re not out on the road.
“This is something we’re going to continue on with whether or not there’s a financial career. That’s what Sarah and I do. It’s therapeutic and spiritual. We’ll always be writing, always finding ways to make records out of it,” said Ghostkeeper. “Hopefully we’ll get to keep touring and the opportunities will keep coming. And I definitely hope there’s lots of good parties involved,” Ghostkeeper continued.
Expect a loud, yet romantic, show at Phog Lounge on March 14. Each song is based around Ghostkeeper and Houle’s relationship.
“If you’re looking for romance and you want to party and dance to it, our show is the one to go to, I’d have to say,” Ghostkeeper said.
If you’re not into romance, don’t let that deter you from going—Munroe and Crocker display technical prowess in the forms of tape loops and other neat electronic ideas, offering something different for all tastes.
|
