Vol. 3, Issue #8 April 18th - March 1st, 2008

Ghost of Monkshood CD Release May 9th!
Mini-Band Interview By: Tim Baker

After three years of patience, GOM fans will be relieved to get their fix of alien sonic landscapes and lucid dream inducing harmonies. The band has been busier than a herd of coked-out beavers lately, but I was able to briefly discuss the new album with band co-founder Chase Spivey:

Why did you choose the album name “Lift”?

It was on a packet of tissue.

What are the biggest influences on “Lift”?

“The Lorax” by Dr. Suess, and of course the inevitable diaspora of humankind from the Earth.

What are some of the lyrical themes of “Lift”?

Facing what you cannot avoid, rediscovering your sense of wonder, looking back on now from the future, redefining love, stuff like that.

Some fans have said that they expect the new album to sound more like your live sound. What do you have to say to them?

Listen.

Since you released “Spider Through the Fog” you’ve gone through a few lineup changes, would you care to comment about that? How it’s affected you and the music?

Dorian Small, who contributed the song “Goddess Hand” to our last album, left the band to start his own project. I think his music is incredible, and it made perfect sense to me that he needed to have his own band.
He works tirelessly night and day writing and recording and erasing and re-recording music. I respect him alot and I can’t wait to see him play again. He’s assembled a hell of a band to back him up. If you don’t know how much of jive-ass gangsta mister Ryan Jones is, then I suggest you find out.
Thom Proctor moved to North Carolina to pursue his degree in music composition, and we definitly miss having him around to cheer us up. We’ve been very blessed with the quality of people that we’ve had in the band, and the current lineup which includes Tanya Felter on viola, keys, voice and Todd Plunkett on drums is no exception. Chris and I have written and recorded 95% of the five Ghost of Monkshood albums, so none of these changes have greatly affected the studio sound. We have learned alot from our local music scene family, and I hope they enjoy the results of our musical mingling.

Some people label Ghost of Monkshood as “hippie music”, how do you feel about that?

I don’t know what “hippie music” is. Most of the people I know who describe themselves as hippies listen to the Grateful Dead alot. I listen to Grizzly Bear & Steve Reich alot. If “hippie music” means “jam bands”, then I guess I would have to disagree with their label. I find jam bands boring, but then again, I have a short attention span and no immediate access to extreme hallucinogens.

Ghost of Monkshood will be playing at the NonZine Fest on April 19th, opening the Norman Music Festival on April 26th and throwing their CD release party at The Red Room on May 9th.

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