Before I heard a second of music from Ghost Prom I thoroughly appreciated their sense of humor. On their Bandcamp page they describe themselves as “two kids from a missing milk carton never got found, died and became ghosts. While ghosts we got a couple guitars, lived off s’mores – coffee – cigarettes and started a band. We exclusively play proms.” Their name felt a little haunting to me. How creepy is it imagining a bunch of ghosts attending a prom. I would love to hear the banter.
Now onto the music on their album Void Sweet Void. I’ve always loved somber songs. When I first heard artists like Bonnie Prince Billy and Elliott Smith in the late ’90s my young mind finally found something relatable. Although I’m much older now I still relate to somber music. On that note I would say to label this as somber music would be a disservice because it’s much more than that. There are myriad emotions throughout this album which in my opinion is the best kind of music. When an artist can find patterns of energy that go between standard emotions I feel that’s special. For instance I feel I often experience sadness along with other emotions that I can’t express with words.
I’ve been reading up on a philosopher called Joscha Bach and he describes high art as a vehicle for exploiting conscious states. That’s what I felt Ghost Prom was getting to with this album. Songs that explore the ineffable experience of what it’s like to be human.
In my opinion great art also makes you think. I remember watching There Will Be Blood decades ago in the theater and thinking “what did I just watch” after the credits rolled. I spent the next week thinking about what I had just watched. Ghost Prom left me with a similar feeling. Void Sweet Void is the type of album you can explore and I feel is open to interpretation and discussion.
To Ghost Prom I say cheers. Thank you for making art that feels relatable and human.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Two spooky kids from a missing milk carton never got found, died, and became ghosts. These ghosts got stuck in a room covered in cobwebs. After freeing their hands from the sheets of self-criticism, they grabbed a couple of guitars. They holed up in the room living on nothing but s’mores, coffee, and cigarettes.
They decided to start a band.
Riding the wave of a cinematic soundscape out of the room, the kids are sending their songs full of dark humor and spectral beauty into the world. Their sound is a swamp-soaked blend of country, noir, and pop rock. “Their layered, gentle folk sound is born out of simplicity, a natural creativity that is free without constraint or attachment. An imprint that is deeper than pictures caught on camera, ghost prom displays the melancholic blessing that we travel through with time. It’s letting a friend cry on their shoulder with no explanation, an understated understanding between pals.” (PR Press), “Sonically, this gem is a bittersweet, alt-country ballad with an indie pop sparkle (yes it’s damn catchy!). Last but not least, the lyrics are an ode to friendship, and what a priceless gemstone may be.” (Last Day Deaf).
