Introducing: Apollo Ghosts

Vancouver natives Apollo Ghosts recently released their second album, Mount Benson, following on from their sold out debut Hastings Sunrise. Whilst that album focused on living in Vancouver, this one looks at growing up in the town of Nanaimo, British Columbia, home of the mountain from which the album takes it’s name. Containing tales of bathrub racing , maverick mayors, hunting sasquatch and aliens down by the river, haunted lakes and softball: as they say themselves “Drinkin Brews, Heartbreak too. Things you go through”.

With only one song clocking over 3 minutes its a short sharp shock of a record, fusing jangling guitars, whoops and charging basslines with some killer hooks, and one that has lead New Pornographer A.C Newman described as “quite awesome”. We tend to agree, so we took some time out to find out a little bit more about them, and the new album.

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should?

People shouldn’t feel obligated to check us out at all…but if they do end up listening our music, I would say try to get past the shortness /abruptness of the songs and listen to both of our albums in their entirety… I don’t care if you download it illegally or pay for it.

I think the song length and odd structures / melodies scare some people….Therehave been a lot of bands in my life that I’ve listened to for the first time and thought: “THIS STINKS” only to change my mind to: “THIS IS AMAZING.” Six months later after repeated listens. That’s why I never understand how record reviews can come out, like, a few days after the record is out. Let your meal settle in the stomach.

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?

I don’t think we really consider ourselves “musicians”…we play music regularly. We kind of think “musicians” are people who earn their living at music. That’s definitely not us…. We just love music and surround ourselves with similar minded friends.

Anyway, moving on, where do your songs come from? What is your inspiration? You seem to take a lot of inspiration from where you live- what with Hastings Sunrise, and now Mount Benson.

We’re inspired by scuzzy 4-tracks, cold beers on hot days, our jam space, our friends, books, bands like: Role Mach, Ok-Vancouver-Ok, Collapsing Opposites, Shawn Mrazek, Thee Ahs, Bad Fate, Chris-A-Riffic, Sajia Sultana, The Doers, the Papillomas, Bash Brothers, Madonna Bangers….inside jokes..There’s no direct answer to this question. Place markers like the “Sunrise” or “Benson” are nice spots to stuff the bookmark.

Why Nanaimo? Do you have any particular connection to the place or did it just appeal to you? A lot of the stories lend themselves to song I guess.

There was an eccentric mayor who started bathtub races between Nanaimo B.C. and Vancouver B.C….like the Sudbury Nickel or the Statue of Liberty. You need something for tourists to sink their teeth into.

Name your Top 5 records

Jay: Double Nickels on the Dime
Amanda: Ramones
Adrian: The Shaggs “Philosophy of the World”, The Raincoats, Fairport Convention “Unhalfbricking”

What one piece of criticism has stuck in your mind and was it justified?

I found a review of one of our early shows a few years ago…the reviewer liked our set but called us ‘racist’? ??? I think we might be the least racist band of all time…It might have been becauseAmanda was wearing an army helmet?

What one thing has caused you to waste your free time in the past 6 months?

Community Garden

If you weren’t making music, what do you think you’d be doing?

Jay: Running a cafe
Adrian: Farming
Amanda: Biking

If you could have written or played on any song, what would it be and why?

We went on tour last summer and we all fell in love with Herman Dune. We were sailing through the farm hills of Washington state while Not On Top was playing…probably that album. We are also fanboys of Eric’s Trip…so much so that we once were an eric’s trip cover band for a night.

What is the first song you put on when you wake up?

Amanda has an iPod on shuffle…usually The Bats.

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.

“HOME RECORDERS”

1) Ram On — Paul McCartney
2) Now! — Angelo Spencer
3) Girlfriend – Eric’s Trip
4) Undiscovered Sun – Jay Arner
5) I wish I could sing — R. Stevie Moore

One Canadian band we should listen to (that isn’t your band)?

DIRTY BEACHES

Download: Apollo Ghosts: Things You Go Through from the Album “Mount Benson”