“Are you the girl from Encounters?”

This may seem like a random question, but at one point in my life, I was hoping to hear it.

So, you all know by now that I love music and cats. But those close to me know that I can have a bit of a quirky side. Don’t worry, I’m not a sister wife or dress up like Dracula on the weekends – but I do have a mild, yet odd, obsession with ghosts.

It started as a child when I was convinced that my house was haunted. I would wake up to the sounds of cupboards slamming and pots banging – wander downstairs, only to find the lights off and no one there. Then I would run upstairs, wake up my sister, scare her with my story, and we would sleep in the same single bed.

So I bet you are all wondering what this has to do with toe tappin’ jams, well allow me to explain. My friend David messaged me to say that Annie Mac had just played a new track from The Black Ghosts on her BBC1 radio show. He sent it my way and I was in love before the 1 minute mark.

Until now I had only heard one track from these guys, so they definitely required some research before I went any further. I found that Theo Keating is an accomplished producer and musician, formerly of the British Electro-duo The WiseGuys. He met Simon Williams Lord, formerly of the group Simian and they began collaborating over the internet – sending each other tracks, but never having met in person.

The WiseGuys – Oh La La
[audio:http://www.monstersvsme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/12-Ooh-La-La.mp3|titles=The WIseGuys – Ooh La La]

They found that they shared a pop sensibility and talent for writing catchy tunes. Their self-titled 2008 album has tracks that are the perfect mix of pop catchiness and house beats without crossing that glowstick dancing line.

The Black Ghosts – Some Way Through This
[audio:http://www.monstersvsme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/11-Some-Way-Through-This.mp3|titles=The Black Ghosts – Some Way Through This]

Their latest track “Water Will Find A Way” has my hopes high for what this duo will have to offer in 2011. It has the buildup and intense beats, mixed with the dancable melody that I love. Something that grabs me about digitally made music is listening to all the layers. All the little chimes and shakes that may seem insignificant, but once combined, make these type of songs so interesting. Every time I listen to “Water Will Find A Way” I hear more instruments. There is a horn of some sort, a piano, violin and I think I even hear a wind chime. Not to mention that beat…that beat! My toes are tapping as I write this. It is hard to deny that this song is headed to your playlists.

Water Will Find A Way (Annie Mac Special Delivery 25.03) by TheBlackGhosts

As a side note about layered tracks, “BTSTU” by Jai Paul is one of my favourite tracks to listen to for layers. So random, but they all work – I think I might even hear the sound of a lightsaber in there.

Jai Paul – BTSTU
[audio:http://www.monstersvsme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/01-BTSTU.mp3|titles=Jai Paul – BTSTU]

But, back to what ghosts actually have to do with The Black Ghosts. Besides their musical talent, this duo found they also shared a darker side – with Lord’s grandmother considered a psychic and Keating being encouraged to watch horror movies as a child. This seemingly unimportant tidbit of information is what intrigued me, and began a tangent of thoughts that ended with a random bit of Monica history.

It’s funny the interests that can bring friends closer. I’ve told you about my “ghost” experiences as a child, now jump to 2004 and my good friend David – who also sent me the song – and his love of horror movies and all things to do with guts, gore and ghosts. He heard about a T.V show called “Encounters” where regular people would stay the night at a haunted army barracks and they were looking for teams for it’s pilot episode. After a couple too many beers, we decided the best way to answer some questions I had about ghosts was to do this show. My mom and I ended up being a team on this show (that never made it to air), and as you can see, my life became ironic when my love of felines and fear of ghosts turned me in to a Grade A scaredy-cat.

Disclaimer: I know I look nuts, but things seem a lot scarier when you’re alone in a dark tunnel.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=minbMp_B1Mk

So although The Black Ghosts may have conjured up my spooky past, I cannot wait for them to infiltrate my future. And with music like this…I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghosts! The Black Ghosts new album is called “When Animals Stare” and will be out this June under Southern Fried Records – I know I’ll be waiting.
 

 
* If you are a member or manager of the above band and you would like your track removed, please contact us and we will swiftly oblige. Fans – new or old – please support these bands by using your coffee money to buy their records.