June 18, 2015
Review By Justyn Brodsky
https://thepactmusicsociety.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/artist-review-the-ghost-of-brooklyn/
According to Borough History, The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly Musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar, and has a knack for the best vegan platters in the city. The only time he ever heads back to the graveyard is to watch YouTube.
Raised solely for musical purposes, authenticity, songwriting talent, and haunting sounds that may bring others more life, the mainstay in this character is relayed on the fact that, he IS a ghost. And with him, he carries a legacy (Est. 1881).
In his song “Where I Come From”, he carries with him a friendly rhythm citing that Brooklyn is indeed where he comes from. With an appeal all too human to the naked eye, the fact that the ghost in him is unseen is what helps him set forth the legacy. His voice brings you that vibrancy of the good old days of natural songwriting, precise vocal arrangements, intelligent layering of vocal production, and a little something to get you dancing around the graveyard.
In “One Love”, a Reggae-esque and uplift into surviving vs. thriving; the ghost makes his rounds with a friend to demonstrate that freedom is something that is to be cherished. The music carries a consistent brilliance and never leaves you short of that good vibration when the tambourine leads the way.
The craft of Ghost’s songs is something that helps you get away from the struggle of being a New Yorker (at times) and reminds you to step out of your shell (or grave) to explore, dance, and let this Music bring you the mood proper enough to enjoy the finer moments to be made in the Borough. This ghost really does captivate you in the greatest ways. Next time you pass Green Wood Cemetery, perhaps have a jam sesh with him. His talent, and legacy, will be apparent; and a joy to behold!
________________________
Jun 16, 2015
The Ghost Of Brooklyn – One Love
by Chris · http://www.crossradar.com/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-one-love/
Review By Justyn Brodsky
https://thepactmusicsociety.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/artist-review-the-ghost-of-brooklyn/
According to Borough History, The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly Musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar, and has a knack for the best vegan platters in the city. The only time he ever heads back to the graveyard is to watch YouTube.
Raised solely for musical purposes, authenticity, songwriting talent, and haunting sounds that may bring others more life, the mainstay in this character is relayed on the fact that, he IS a ghost. And with him, he carries a legacy (Est. 1881).
In his song “Where I Come From”, he carries with him a friendly rhythm citing that Brooklyn is indeed where he comes from. With an appeal all too human to the naked eye, the fact that the ghost in him is unseen is what helps him set forth the legacy. His voice brings you that vibrancy of the good old days of natural songwriting, precise vocal arrangements, intelligent layering of vocal production, and a little something to get you dancing around the graveyard.
In “One Love”, a Reggae-esque and uplift into surviving vs. thriving; the ghost makes his rounds with a friend to demonstrate that freedom is something that is to be cherished. The music carries a consistent brilliance and never leaves you short of that good vibration when the tambourine leads the way.
The craft of Ghost’s songs is something that helps you get away from the struggle of being a New Yorker (at times) and reminds you to step out of your shell (or grave) to explore, dance, and let this Music bring you the mood proper enough to enjoy the finer moments to be made in the Borough. This ghost really does captivate you in the greatest ways. Next time you pass Green Wood Cemetery, perhaps have a jam sesh with him. His talent, and legacy, will be apparent; and a joy to behold!
________________________
Jun 16, 2015
The Ghost Of Brooklyn – One Love
by Chris · http://www.crossradar.com/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-one-love/
Influences on The Ghost
Of Brooklyn reads like a who’s who of classic artists – Paul Simon, the Police,
David Bowie, there are touches to be found in small ways throughout the track.
Add to that the hazy
Americana vibe that runs through it (even touching a little on Sheryl Crow
territory) and you’ve got some truly engaging and satisfying music. On closer
inspection, it’s easy to get thoroughly lost in the glorious harmonies that The
Ghost Of Brooklyn splashes over the track with glee abandon. Once the track has
reaches its climax, there is a delightful finale moment. It would be remiss to
ignore the fact that the song itself has been written in honor of artist and
musician Jean-Michel Basquiat, which makes it a touching and fitting epitaph
written by a like-minded artist who is truly committed to making great art.
‘One Love’ makes no assumptions that it’s going to be a number one hit. Rather,
it presents itself exactly as it is so as to be discovered and loved by those
who will truly recognize and appreciate it for what it is. If only we could
have more art in this world that is made with those kinds of sensibilities,
then perhaps we would all be so much richer for it.
_______________________
June
15, 2015
The
Ghost Of Brooklyn - Review
by
Xander Supertramp, Canada
______________________
Artist Spotlight: The Ghost of Brooklyn
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
www.steezinonem.com
http://www.steezinonem.com/artist-spotlight/artist-interviews/artist-spotlight-the-ghost-of-brooklyn/
I’ve recently had the pleasure of coming across one very intriguing singer — songwriter with a very unique persona. He hails from a cemetery in Brooklyn, New York and calls himself “a real ghost.” According to him in this excerpt from his bio, “The world is full of living musicians, but what it really craves are dead ones,” which when you think about it, is actually a rather truthful statement. I have to be honest, I was thrown for a loop at first, that is, until I heard his music. That’s when it all sort of starts making sense.
I listened to several of the Ghosts’ songs and watched a few of his live performances on YouTube and was very pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn’t some cornball with a wacky gimmick, this guy is truly an artist. His song titled ‘One Love,’ is one in particular that I think is really worth checking out. It’s a very cool and melodic uptempo piece of indie folk rock splashed with a bit of pop and a dash of reggae. The song along with its accompanying video, is an ode to the love of art and music and also serves somewhat as an homage to the renowned artist
I had the opportunity to ask the musical Ghost a few questions and here is the the amazing and incredibly entertaining interview he gave. Check it out below.
Q: Alright, first things first, I have to ask about this ghost business of yours. Just who is ‘The Ghost of Brooklyn’ and how is it that you “became” the Ghost? After all, even if you are a ghost, you do have a name right?
I’ll try to explain that. The human manifestation you see & hear, The Ghost of Brooklyn, is a sort of ‘coming to’ that happens every few hundred years. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a ghost. I’ve acquired different names along the way, but ‘who I am’ is not in the name. It’s in the music. A few years back I was ‘becoming visible’ at
Q: I imagine you get some pretty weird looks when you introduce yourself to people as the Ghost for the first time. Are there any experiences in particular where you found yourself in perhaps an awkward position?
Being a ghost on stage isn’t as awkward as you think. Most people think it’s a marketing ploy, you know, a gimmick. And that’s cool. They don’t think of me as a real ghost, which makes things run a lot smoother. They think I’m a concept artist, or a joke.
Q: One Love is an interesting song. You describe it as being a song you wrote for deceased artist
Sure. The song is about ‘love’ but not the kind of love you might expect. It’s more about love of art and or expressionism really. Music fits right in with that. I live in a cemetery in Brooklyn. It just so happens that
Q: How did you get your start in music?
I’ve been around since the beginning, and I’ve always been a musician. That said, music is a timeless energy — so I don’t have the answer. If I did I would also know the answer to greater question regarding time itself. As in, “When did time itself start? And, when will time end?” All I know is having a body, right here, right now is fun. I’m living it up!
Q: Are there any living musicians you’d like to work with or any other musical ghosts?
I’m not one to drop names but I’ve worked with a few big stars in the past: mostly classical and tribal cats. There are a lot of great players out there right now: more so than any other time in history. That’s because there are more people on the planet right now than at any other time in history – something like 7 billion. That’s a lot of people. I’d like to jam with Jack White of The White Stripes, definitely share a stage with Springsteen: Michael Jackson has a special place in my heart too.
Q: Describe your creative process. What do you like to do when trying to write new music?
I’m not really sure what a process is. For me it usually starts with a pattern on the guitar and or a drum beat; then the melody; then the words. I don’t write anything down. I just press record. You can do that today. I have one of those digital recorders, and an iPad. If I think there is a song there I’ll keep playing it until it materializes. Or it gets dropped.
Q: Other than music, what does The Ghost of Brooklyn like to do for fun?
This may sound hokey but I’m a Zen ghost. Being without a body for so long I forgot how important it is to take care of your mind and body. The graveyard is quiet at night so I meditate a lot. I also ride a bicycle, and swim in the Atlantic Ocean. I don’t drink alcohol or take drugs, and I’m very vegan. I have a real kinship with animals. Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends. Once upon a time I was fond of being a bird.
Q: As I’m listening to some of your songs, I hear a sound that reminds me of performers like Bob Dylan and even MGMT? Have artists like these influenced you any?
If I were as handsome as the guys is MGMT I’d be a lot more arrogant than I already am. I like their playfulness though. And if I could write like Dylan, well, there would be no talking to me. Instead, I’m your average
Q: How would you describe your sound?
Awake.
Q: How does your music express who you are and how you see the world?
We come into this world alone, and we exit alone. Everything
Q: What memorable responses have you gotten to your music from fans or reviewers?
It’s an honor when you play your music to an audience and they know your songs. You see them mouthing the words. I love when that happens.
Q: Looking through your YouTube videos, I see a lot of live performances and one take recordings. Is this meant to be a sort of trademark for you or is it a goal of yours to make a full studio album?
The highest plateau in music should be the live performance; he who masters the live performance, is the true master. A lot of today’s music is the opposite. Too many layers. Everything I play, whether in front of a live audience or back at the graveyard to the hawks and owls is the same. It’s always live. Would I mind doing what I do in a million dollar recording studio? Sure. But I wouldn’t let that million dollars spoil the art.
Q: What’s your dream project?
There is a patch of rolling hills in the cemetery. I’d like to do a concert there.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
It was from Siddhārtha Gautama (The Buddha). He said abandon all hope. Focus your attention on the present moment. Stay present. Socrates shared a few good ones too, but I think he stole most of his stuff from Plato.
Q: When you play a show or when people stumble across your music, what’s the one thing you want them to take away from having heard The Ghost of Brooklyn?
They can do it too.
_________________________
Monday, April 13, 2015
“One Love,” The Ghost of Brooklyn
CHUCK TAYLOR, Billboard Magazine
Serving as an ode of reverence to American artist, musician & producer Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Ghost of Brooklyn’s latest YouTube offering “One Love” is a sonic & visual triptych about finding the artist’s grave amid Brooklyn, N.Y.’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery—where Basquiat was born and raised. Accompanied by a haunting video clip as our Ghost friend wanders the beloved graveyard in search of his hero, the song is the latest in his ever-burgeoning catalog of one-off singles, captured live in a single take. Accompanied only by guitars and a cascade of harmonic vocals, Ghost conjures a mesh of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Crosby, Stills & Nash, with knee-bobbing beats and a lyric that brings up a topic that is perhaps more universal than cemetery-strolling. Ghost sings, “All my friends say I’m crazy… loving you.” In all, “One Love” stands just fine on its own—but it’s a lot more intriguing watching The Ghost of Brooklyn ultimately find his hero.
_______________________________________
The Ghost Of Brooklyn – YouTube Singles – Review
http://sleepingbagstudios.ca/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-youtube-singles/
March 05, 2015
Typically…I’d be the last person to ever say you should let your music or career rest on the strength of a gimmick; but with that being said, if you ARE going to, this might be the route to go. Did you realize that there is actually a real fucking ghost that makes the music of The Ghost Of Brooklyn? Yeah – that’s right, you read this correctly dear readers. You can do as much research as you like but you won’t find a living soul or ‘real’ person attached to any of the music of The Ghost Of Brooklyn; because ghosts are real – and apparently they dig on making new tunes! For the faint of heart or cautious of the paranormal, fret not…for this particular ghost packs about as much fear into a person’s soul as Casper would…
For the most part, you’ll experience harmless, pleasant pop/rock; this is indeed a friendly ghost.
There are a lot of good ideas on display through The Ghost’s channel. I personally got lost right into the sound of a performance The Ghost Of Brooklyn put on during Halloween of 2014…it’s a seriously addicting sound once you get it going, and this in particular just sounds like one of those live-sets where everything went RIGHT. The filters on the vocals make it sound like it’s actually the ghost of the Beach Boys all singing into one mic, harmonies fill the sound on the constant with a warm & inviting tone. The songs are completely catchy, have hooks aplenty and are played with an audible-joy to much applause.
You can also get the studio versions of many of these songs as The Ghost Of Brooklyn puts some smoothness on his sound for a 9-song full album recorded in one take back in April 2014. One take? Jesus – I want MY music to come out this good on one take! “Simple Soul” sounds great through the studio version and starts the adventure into the life of a studio ghost through this beautiful pop-inspired rock tune. The signature filtered & effect-laden vocals still fill the air, speakers and sound while the music keeps the beat; nothing’s over-complicated, it’s all simple & straightforward and completely easy to digest and enjoy on repeat.
There is an incredibly indie-aspect of what The Ghost Of Brooklyn writes musically. Fans of bands like Sparklehorse, MGMT, Spoon or even The Arcade Fire will find a way in easily to this music. The Ghost even has his own kind of like…early R.E.M.-thing going on, which I absolutely love (obviously, you know that about me by now…) on cuts like “Nineteen Eighty.” Towards the end it even borrows from Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself” in an interesting melodic-twist, it’s an innovation that worked well.
There’s also a moment earlier on in the album where I had to stop and get my Google-on. When “Coney Island Baby” came on I had to have a look to see if this was an original or a cover. Did you know that there’s about five or so songs called “Coney Island Baby” out there? Cause I didn’t. And this one from The Ghost Of Brooklyn isn’t any of those that I could see.
Did I check out The Ghost’s idea of whatever ‘children’s music’ might be? Of COURSE I did. Most of the information I can take in on any given day is often best communicated to me like you would to a four-year old anyhow…so this isn’t too far removed from where I’m at…
In all honesty though, it’s cute stuff and it works very well with the signature-sound of The Ghost Of Brooklyn. It’s also interesting…this moonlit-foray into kid’s tunes…the performance obviously becomes much more childlike, approachable and playful…but it seems every bit as legitimate as what The Ghost has pulled off on his non-children-ish tunes. Displaying an adaptation that could lead to two separate careers in different areas of music entirely – The Ghost Of Brooklyn can clearly make music that will captivate their ears & imagination for people of any age.
All in all…might be a little strange to experience music made from beyond the grave but living amongst us here in the present…but there you go. I dig the pleasant vibe, the good-nature of the songs and the genuine love for making music that radiates clearly from the music of The Ghost Of Brooklyn. It has the real-sound of togetherness and you can absolutely hear how this signature-style and sound would instantly fill a room full of people all having a great time and singing along.
And have a look at this rad video & song called “The Great I Am” – one of my personal favorites that I found whilst scouring through The Ghost Of Brooklyn’s collection…
________________________________
http://www.themadmusicasylum.com
By Rob Penland
http://indiehabit.com/2015/05/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-is-spooky/
OK. I get it. In this day and age the music industry has become almost like the Wild West. Literally thousands of indie musicians vying and jockeying for position and a spot on your playlist. In order to get noticed, you need a hook. Many times a great song can set you apart but more often than not, it’s the attention you can draw to yourself that will get you noticed. A stunt, a gimmick; often times the kitschier the better. When I was first asked to write this review, I wasn’t sure what to make of The Ghost of Brooklyn. Should it be taken seriously or is it just another stunt designed for attention. Upon closer examination, I can’t answer that question.
The Ghost’s publicity material states, “The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green-Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar and prowls the city streets in search of good vegan food.” Think Casper with a guitar. “Born in 1881 (or about that time), The Ghost of Brooklyn is an animated corpse raised for musical purposes. Cursed with authenticity and tremendous songwriting talent, his raw punchy sound will haunt you.” Alright, I’ll bite. I dived in and actually gave the music an honest listen.
Despite lacking the slick production standards expected in today’s music, the songs of The Ghost of Brooklyn are surprisingly pretty good. Believe me when I tell you I wasn’t expecting much. The whole project seems a little too contrived to me and not all that well executed but the songs are surprisingly good. I know I said that already but the music is very listenable and quite pleasant. The Ghost does seem to have a talent for songwriting and I think that if he put a little more effort into the production techniques he might have a real chance to break through. Then again, if what he says is real, we shouldn’t really expect any more than what we have. A real conundrum.
Listening to the music, I am reminded of Daniel Johnston who did actually breakthrough for a while but where Daniel Johnston’s shtick was real and authentic, The Ghost of Brooklyn’s is too contrived for this reviewer. Or is it?
_______________________________________
The
Ghost of Brooklyn is Spooky
April
15, 2015 – The
Mad Music Asylum
http://www.themadmusicasylum.com
By Rob Penland
http://indiehabit.com/2015/05/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-is-spooky/
OK. I get it. In this day and age the music industry has become almost like the Wild West. Literally thousands of indie musicians vying and jockeying for position and a spot on your playlist. In order to get noticed, you need a hook. Many times a great song can set you apart but more often than not, it’s the attention you can draw to yourself that will get you noticed. A stunt, a gimmick; often times the kitschier the better. When I was first asked to write this review, I wasn’t sure what to make of The Ghost of Brooklyn. Should it be taken seriously or is it just another stunt designed for attention. Upon closer examination, I can’t answer that question.
The Ghost’s publicity material states, “The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green-Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar and prowls the city streets in search of good vegan food.” Think Casper with a guitar. “Born in 1881 (or about that time), The Ghost of Brooklyn is an animated corpse raised for musical purposes. Cursed with authenticity and tremendous songwriting talent, his raw punchy sound will haunt you.” Alright, I’ll bite. I dived in and actually gave the music an honest listen.
Despite lacking the slick production standards expected in today’s music, the songs of The Ghost of Brooklyn are surprisingly pretty good. Believe me when I tell you I wasn’t expecting much. The whole project seems a little too contrived to me and not all that well executed but the songs are surprisingly good. I know I said that already but the music is very listenable and quite pleasant. The Ghost does seem to have a talent for songwriting and I think that if he put a little more effort into the production techniques he might have a real chance to break through. Then again, if what he says is real, we shouldn’t really expect any more than what we have. A real conundrum.
Listening to the music, I am reminded of Daniel Johnston who did actually breakthrough for a while but where Daniel Johnston’s shtick was real and authentic, The Ghost of Brooklyn’s is too contrived for this reviewer. Or is it?
_______________________________________
Interview By
Jacqueline Cassel
Feb 02, 2015
1. Could you tell us about
your relationship with Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn? What can you tell us
about the time you spend there honoring your friend (Jean-Michel Basquiat)?
What led you to begin expressing yourself and your story through music?
Sure. Firstly, Green-Wood is one of the most beautiful spaces in Brooklyn. People are dieing to get in! Lots of natural beauty here: we still have owls & hawks flying overhead. In recent years I’ve been buried twice at Green-Wood. Two different bodies that is. Moreover, our bodies are temporary phenomena but our ‘spirits’ are infinite; we’ve all been around since the beginning of time but for some reason people get stuck in their current experience, and with it, lose memory of previous lives. Ghosts are different. Though our bodies may die our memories are preserved forever. We can even project forward in time. I’m not in the business of speaking for others but since you asked I will say that Jean-Michel is alive and well, and still expressing himself through his art. For me it’s all about the music. I communicate through my stories.
2. How would you describe the songs you write to someone who has never heard your music before? You've also written children's songs, correct?
I’m an old soul so my music is a hybrid of past & present varieties – even future. I currently like folk music, rock and country, though I’ve lived through periods where there were none of those things. Whether it was classical or tribal, percussive or melodic types of music I’ve played it all. Most importantly I think of myself as a storyteller, not a musician. Young people are very receptive to lyrics hence the batch of children’s music I wrote. Kids are a great audience.
3. Could you tell us about the recording process you employ to capture the songs you write?
Sure. Some people like to write songs as a group. I write alone. I’m a lone ghost. Once I have a song in my head, I’ll use a lot of high tech gadgetry to capture it. Everything I record is live. No overdubs, no computer punch-ins, no software edits; just a straight live mix. It’s the same setup live as it is in the studio. No difference. I use a Boss RC300 loop station, a pair of stage microphones and a small mixing board. I have a 2003 Gibson electric guitar and a 1950s parlor acoustic. That’s really it. I use one of those digital recorders at the end of the signal chain, and that’s what my audience hears. Put a video camera in front of it and that’s what they see as well.
4. What was it like performing at the legendary Sidewalk Cafe in New York City this past Halloween? Have you played a number of other venues within New York City?
Hands down, Sidewalk Café has some of the best wasabi mashed potatoes and corn bread in town. For this vegan, it’s a no brainer: great food, legendary sound, and no harm done to animals. Couple that with a real ghost performing on Halloween and it was a win-win situation. I love New York City. I’m a city ghost. I spend a lot of time roaming Williamsburg, the Lower East Side, and the East Village. I’ll be playing more NYC venues in the coming months, possibly an east coast tour as well, and I’ll be releasing all of those recordings on Youtube as I capture them.
5. You've released a number of songs in the past year and have also put out a full-length live album; how have you been able to remain so consistent with your writing? What does the rest of 2015 hold in store for The Ghost of Brooklyn?
Thanks for asking that. Being a ghost and all I have the unique advantage of not needing to sleep at night. So that’s an extra 8 hours per day for my music. The biggest challenge for me is repeating myself. For example, once I write, perform and record a batch of songs I almost immediately start writing another batch. So at the end of the day I have too many half-cooked songs and too little time. But then again I don’t write songs all year round. Most of my time I spend meditating in the graveyard. The human mind is a tricky thing. You might say it has a mind of its own. The most important thing we can do for ourselves is to work with our mind and discover inner peace. From there it’s all down hill.
Sure. Firstly, Green-Wood is one of the most beautiful spaces in Brooklyn. People are dieing to get in! Lots of natural beauty here: we still have owls & hawks flying overhead. In recent years I’ve been buried twice at Green-Wood. Two different bodies that is. Moreover, our bodies are temporary phenomena but our ‘spirits’ are infinite; we’ve all been around since the beginning of time but for some reason people get stuck in their current experience, and with it, lose memory of previous lives. Ghosts are different. Though our bodies may die our memories are preserved forever. We can even project forward in time. I’m not in the business of speaking for others but since you asked I will say that Jean-Michel is alive and well, and still expressing himself through his art. For me it’s all about the music. I communicate through my stories.
2. How would you describe the songs you write to someone who has never heard your music before? You've also written children's songs, correct?
I’m an old soul so my music is a hybrid of past & present varieties – even future. I currently like folk music, rock and country, though I’ve lived through periods where there were none of those things. Whether it was classical or tribal, percussive or melodic types of music I’ve played it all. Most importantly I think of myself as a storyteller, not a musician. Young people are very receptive to lyrics hence the batch of children’s music I wrote. Kids are a great audience.
3. Could you tell us about the recording process you employ to capture the songs you write?
Sure. Some people like to write songs as a group. I write alone. I’m a lone ghost. Once I have a song in my head, I’ll use a lot of high tech gadgetry to capture it. Everything I record is live. No overdubs, no computer punch-ins, no software edits; just a straight live mix. It’s the same setup live as it is in the studio. No difference. I use a Boss RC300 loop station, a pair of stage microphones and a small mixing board. I have a 2003 Gibson electric guitar and a 1950s parlor acoustic. That’s really it. I use one of those digital recorders at the end of the signal chain, and that’s what my audience hears. Put a video camera in front of it and that’s what they see as well.
4. What was it like performing at the legendary Sidewalk Cafe in New York City this past Halloween? Have you played a number of other venues within New York City?
Hands down, Sidewalk Café has some of the best wasabi mashed potatoes and corn bread in town. For this vegan, it’s a no brainer: great food, legendary sound, and no harm done to animals. Couple that with a real ghost performing on Halloween and it was a win-win situation. I love New York City. I’m a city ghost. I spend a lot of time roaming Williamsburg, the Lower East Side, and the East Village. I’ll be playing more NYC venues in the coming months, possibly an east coast tour as well, and I’ll be releasing all of those recordings on Youtube as I capture them.
5. You've released a number of songs in the past year and have also put out a full-length live album; how have you been able to remain so consistent with your writing? What does the rest of 2015 hold in store for The Ghost of Brooklyn?
Thanks for asking that. Being a ghost and all I have the unique advantage of not needing to sleep at night. So that’s an extra 8 hours per day for my music. The biggest challenge for me is repeating myself. For example, once I write, perform and record a batch of songs I almost immediately start writing another batch. So at the end of the day I have too many half-cooked songs and too little time. But then again I don’t write songs all year round. Most of my time I spend meditating in the graveyard. The human mind is a tricky thing. You might say it has a mind of its own. The most important thing we can do for ourselves is to work with our mind and discover inner peace. From there it’s all down hill.
_________________________________
http://horrorcabin.com/ghost-brooklyn-haunts-ears
When it comes to ghosts and haunting I think we can all agree we’d rather have the “Casper” variety than the “Conjuring” kind! But what about a musical ghost? A ghost that won’t possess your soul, but WILL haunt your ears with melody and a guitar? Say hello to “The Ghost of Brooklyn.”
“The Ghost of Brooklyn” is an enigma. An undead minstrel with a mission of spreading his message via the power of music rather than force or twisting his head completely around. He’s not here to do harm, but rather, good. Because if the saying is true and music can really calm a savage beast, then “The Ghost of Brooklyn” would be safe in that creepy cave in “The Descent”!
With an auditory pleasing mix of pop, rock, and country, “The Ghost of Brooklyn” materializes wherever there are people who need a musical possession of the awesome variety. Hey, you don’t have to believe me. Below you’ll hear it from “The Ghost of Brooklyn” himself. After that, feel free to watch the video and hear the Ghost for yourself.
No need to call Ghostbusters here. This is a haunting of the cool variety. But even ghosts need some love. So be sure to visit and like the OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE of “The Ghost of Brooklyn”. Also, you can check out the OFFICIAL YOUTUBE PAGE and watch all the amazing videos.
How many can say they’ve left a comment for a ghost after all? Now’s your chance!
Keep it bloody.
DAVE
________________________________
If you like your indie folk-rock with a psychedelic
twist! Rick Jamm: April 07, 2015
http://jamsphere.com/videos/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-if-you-like-your-indie-folk-rock-with-a-psychedelic-twist
Here’s the deal. If you like
your indie folk-rock with a psychedelic twist, jangly guitar, uncanny melodies,
underlining gorgeous, surreal lyrics, then you might be into The Ghost of
Brooklyn. Of course if you’re simply a sucker for mysterious media plugging and
pitching, The Ghost of Brooklyn is scrumptious manna for your musical platter.
Don’t believe me? Read this…
“The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green-Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar and prowls the city streets in search of good vegan food. At night, instead of boozing, whoring and scaring the shit out of people he heads back to the graveyard to watch Youtube. The Ghost of Brooklyn likes to haunt people directly, hence the endless stream of singles he releases on Youtube. He travels light; just a guitar, a few microphones and some pedals. He says, “I may be DEAD, but I will always rock the streets of Brooklyn.” All his music is captured live using the latest in live-performance technology. EVERYTHING you see and hear is LIVE (one mic, one guitar, one take).”
Not bad for a dead dude, right! While not technically the greatest singer in the ‘other’ world right now, considering the company he is keeping, The Ghost of Brooklyn has one of the most honest voices I’ve ever heard and he backs it up with some sweet Beach Boys type harmonies. The guitar is really interesting. Sometimes it gets heavy, but retains a basic, jangly and bouncy sound. Not punk. Not folk. Not Rock, but rather all of them.
“The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green-Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar and prowls the city streets in search of good vegan food. At night, instead of boozing, whoring and scaring the shit out of people he heads back to the graveyard to watch Youtube. The Ghost of Brooklyn likes to haunt people directly, hence the endless stream of singles he releases on Youtube. He travels light; just a guitar, a few microphones and some pedals. He says, “I may be DEAD, but I will always rock the streets of Brooklyn.” All his music is captured live using the latest in live-performance technology. EVERYTHING you see and hear is LIVE (one mic, one guitar, one take).”
Not bad for a dead dude, right! While not technically the greatest singer in the ‘other’ world right now, considering the company he is keeping, The Ghost of Brooklyn has one of the most honest voices I’ve ever heard and he backs it up with some sweet Beach Boys type harmonies. The guitar is really interesting. Sometimes it gets heavy, but retains a basic, jangly and bouncy sound. Not punk. Not folk. Not Rock, but rather all of them.
Lyrically, The Ghost of Brooklyn uses stunning imagery, an insightful poetic stream of consciousness, almost like a dream being narrated. They meld perfectly with the melody flowing from the vocals. In “ONE LOVE”, The Ghost of Brooklyn goes one step further, as his ghost goes in search of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s tombstone in Green-Wood Cemetery Brooklyn, NY. Even though I tried to avoid the phrase, I think the sentiment “hauntingly beautiful” applies to this if it applies to any indie music at all.
The creative originality of The Ghost of Brooklyn, both in his background story and song, is incomparable to any indie artist today. This is an artist for people who like music with substance and a lot of raw guts – just the way music should be; the exact opposite of those awful overblown technical pop sounds that are currently polluting the airwaves out there.
If you are a disciple of the singer-songwriter world created by Bob Dylan, a world more akin to Art than popular music, you should check out The Ghost of Brooklyn. This is a fine example of the essence of good music. A creative spirit and mind is all one needs to make something legendary.
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BLOGGER,
Hailing from the Green-Wood Cemetery, where he spends some time hanging out with influential artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (he’s resting there), The Ghost Of Brooklyn haunts listeners with good times in the form of feel-good reggae anthems such as his latest single “One Love.”
The song is dynamic, infectious and fun, moving from some laid-back reggae grooves to the energy and grit of punk rock, almost as if Bob Marley set out to jam with The Ramones. “I might be dead, but I will always rock the streets of Brooklyn” - With such a bold manifesto, the self-styled friendly musical ghost is truly the spirit of the party (pun intended) with songs that feel surprisingly lively, and authentic.
--Andrea Caccese, music blogger, Sweden
___________________________________ Hailing from the Green-Wood Cemetery, where he spends some time hanging out with influential artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (he’s resting there), The Ghost Of Brooklyn haunts listeners with good times in the form of feel-good reggae anthems such as his latest single “One Love.”
The song is dynamic, infectious and fun, moving from some laid-back reggae grooves to the energy and grit of punk rock, almost as if Bob Marley set out to jam with The Ramones. “I might be dead, but I will always rock the streets of Brooklyn” - With such a bold manifesto, the self-styled friendly musical ghost is truly the spirit of the party (pun intended) with songs that feel surprisingly lively, and authentic.
--Andrea Caccese, music blogger, Sweden
The Ghost of Brooklyn Brings About Guitar Pop In Unique Fashion
Friday, April 10, 2015
Sell Out Records, Sir Jorge
http://selloutrecords.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-ghost-of-brooklyn-brings-about.html
Touted as being a real ghost
that is singing songs of past, present, and future, The Ghost of Brooklyn will
catch you off guard. The guitar driven music is pleasant, and mixes various
genres. From a bit of pop to a little reggae and ska, you are going to be
astonished by what you hear in the mix. While those genres may seem like
stretches, all you need to hear is “One Love”, and you’ll understand the
measure of the artist’s soulful tunes.
It’s not just one track that will capture the soul of the musical experience of The Ghost of Brooklyn. Listening to the tracks that are available now, you are going to immediately feel a kinship with the artist. There’s something simple about the music, and the lyrics, which paint a picture for you. “Beautiful Day” for instance, takes you on a simple journey to enjoy things a bit more. A smile on your face will appear as you listen to the song and lyrics that illustrate a bit of joy.
There’s a certain rock sensibility to the music pushed forward here: something that has that intangible quality of greatness. You’re going to hear songs and immediately hum along with the melodies. The best artists make you remember their words, their song structures, and will not let go of your psyche. That’s exactly what the Ghost of Brooklyn does, and it’s a great thing. You’re going to find that the poetic soul and pop rock prowess shines through with each song.
You have to check out the songs and music that this artist is bringing out. You’ll find that it grabs you with melodious rhythm. Don’t just take my words for it, listen to some of the tunes featured below, and you too may be haunted by this eclectic musical artist.
It’s not just one track that will capture the soul of the musical experience of The Ghost of Brooklyn. Listening to the tracks that are available now, you are going to immediately feel a kinship with the artist. There’s something simple about the music, and the lyrics, which paint a picture for you. “Beautiful Day” for instance, takes you on a simple journey to enjoy things a bit more. A smile on your face will appear as you listen to the song and lyrics that illustrate a bit of joy.
There’s a certain rock sensibility to the music pushed forward here: something that has that intangible quality of greatness. You’re going to hear songs and immediately hum along with the melodies. The best artists make you remember their words, their song structures, and will not let go of your psyche. That’s exactly what the Ghost of Brooklyn does, and it’s a great thing. You’re going to find that the poetic soul and pop rock prowess shines through with each song.
You have to check out the songs and music that this artist is bringing out. You’ll find that it grabs you with melodious rhythm. Don’t just take my words for it, listen to some of the tunes featured below, and you too may be haunted by this eclectic musical artist.
________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS
RELEASE
APRIL 12, 2015
By Brett Stewart
The Ghost of Brooklyn Haunts The Music Scene - And He’s Here To Stay
America’s favorite rock and roll ghost, the Ghost of Brooklyn, is preparing for a massive year in 2015. The rising indie guitar pop icon is utilizing a wonderfully theatrical persona to introduce himself to audiences this next year. Plus, he’s got some exceptionally exciting new releases on the way as well.
The unique complexity of the Ghost of Brooklyn is what defines him as an artist. Much like a concept album, the Ghost is essentially a concept artist. With one foot in the grave, he’s adopted a character who’s been haunting Brooklyn as an animated corpse since 1881. He’s “cursed with authenticity and tremendous songwriting talent.” His raw, punchy sound will haunt you. (In a good way.)
He’s a friendly ghost, thankfully, wistfully floating throughout the world making his mark on subway platforms to the Coliseum. He can time travel, snatch bodies, he’s been just about everywhere. Despite his ghostly abilities to do all of that, however, he rather enjoys haunting individuals. Once you’re hooked on his music, you won’t be able to shake him.
Currently the Ghost of Brooklyn is spending time on the internet, releasing a series of YouTube singles with accompanying music videos. More importantly, though, he’s planning a worldwide distribution of his “Best Of” live record this fall. The collection will include about ten of his original concert tracks recorded live. As always, though, music is better live. So, head on over to his Facebook page to check his upcoming local shows. They’re haunts not to be missed.
The Ghost of Brooklyn Haunts The Music Scene - And He’s Here To Stay
America’s favorite rock and roll ghost, the Ghost of Brooklyn, is preparing for a massive year in 2015. The rising indie guitar pop icon is utilizing a wonderfully theatrical persona to introduce himself to audiences this next year. Plus, he’s got some exceptionally exciting new releases on the way as well.
The unique complexity of the Ghost of Brooklyn is what defines him as an artist. Much like a concept album, the Ghost is essentially a concept artist. With one foot in the grave, he’s adopted a character who’s been haunting Brooklyn as an animated corpse since 1881. He’s “cursed with authenticity and tremendous songwriting talent.” His raw, punchy sound will haunt you. (In a good way.)
He’s a friendly ghost, thankfully, wistfully floating throughout the world making his mark on subway platforms to the Coliseum. He can time travel, snatch bodies, he’s been just about everywhere. Despite his ghostly abilities to do all of that, however, he rather enjoys haunting individuals. Once you’re hooked on his music, you won’t be able to shake him.
Currently the Ghost of Brooklyn is spending time on the internet, releasing a series of YouTube singles with accompanying music videos. More importantly, though, he’s planning a worldwide distribution of his “Best Of” live record this fall. The collection will include about ten of his original concert tracks recorded live. As always, though, music is better live. So, head on over to his Facebook page to check his upcoming local shows. They’re haunts not to be missed.
__________________________________
Ghosts Of Brooklyn
Haunting Listener’s Minds With Raw Live Sounds
INDIE BAND GURU - Apr 14, 201
http://indiebandguru.com/ghosts-of-brooklyn-haunting-listeners-minds-with-raw-live-sounds
One of the best ways to get noticed is not always to tell every aspect of your life story but instead to create an aura of the unknown. This can pique the interests of casual listeners that try to search for the real artist behind the music. You can go even deeper as our new find The Ghost Of Brooklyn has.
The story is quite an interesting one. The Ghost of Brooklyn is a real ghost from Green-Wood Cemetery. Not the scary nighttime variety, but a friendly musical ghost that meditates, plays guitar and prowls the city streets sharing what he does best. He does not aim for big dreams or big production in his music but instead records all his music live; one guitar, one voice, one take.
The Ghost of Brooklyn has been releasing a steady stream of singles through YouTube to show off his songwriting talent and authenticity. On “Beautiful Day” he shows off his laid back style that would be just as fitting on a tropical beach as it is on the Coney Island beach of Brooklyn where the music video was shot. There is a more rockin’ feel to “Manhattan Ghost” with some added guitar effects to create a fuller sound that still sounds raw and live. The Ghost Of Brooklyn can go a little funky too as heard on “One Love”. On this ode to Green-Wood cemetery mate Jean-Michel Basquiat there is a happy bouncy tone that will put a smile on the listener’s face. This is genuine and authentic music by an artist that does it purely for the love of sharing his musical journey, even if that means a little haunting along the way.
______________________________________
The Ghost of Brooklyn is one of the most interesting acts I've come across in a really, really long time. The artist claims to be a "real ghost of Brooklyn," even going as far to say on their Facebook page that the artist resides in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.
This claim makes listening to
the music an extremely odd yet intriguing experience. The song One Love is
a great folk-rock tune in the musical realm of Bob Dylan. However,
for all the joy and feel-good vibes that the music emits, there is a vocal dub
effect on the lead singer that does indeed make it feel like you're listening
to a ghost.
The vocal effect is a signature
that works quite well for The Ghost of Brooklyn. I can honestly
say, I'm not so sure I'm listening to a human being, and it's a little bit
unsettling and inspiring all at the same time. The Ghost of Brooklyn is
the most talented ghost-musician in all of NYC.
______________________________________
______________________________________
April 28, 2015
MyPlayTag.com
http://myplaytag.com/the-ghost-of-brooklyn/
1. So, GHOST OF BROOKLYN, Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from originally?
That's a tough question. I'm not sure exactly how I got here or where 'here' is, or where I'm from. I know what you're thinking, "Dude is crazy," but it is what it is. I'm a ghost. I'm often everywhere at once. Then suddenly, I get tossed into the abyss.
2. What inspired you to write music?
Sadly, music is all I have. I have a deep interest in communicating with people, but when I speak to them face-to-face they look right through me. So I write songs they can understand. Those they listen to.
3. Tell us a bit about your new song "One Love." What inspired you to write this track?
It's a letter to a friend - Jean-Michel. He's an artist. It's how we communicate. Rather than using words, we throw art at each other. I like to paint too, but I don't have a place to hang my stuff. That's what's so cool about songs. You can hang them on Youtube.
4. How has touring been for you over the past year?
I've been touring for the past 300 years. But I've taken a break from all that. I still play locally in the graveyard, and such, but I really like making music videos. I have an iPad someone gave me and I enjoy using it to capture live music. In this way, my music lives forever.
5. Finally, where are we able to find your music? Youtube
__________________________________MyPlayTag.com
http://myplaytag.com/the-ghost-of-brooklyn/
1. So, GHOST OF BROOKLYN, Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from originally?
That's a tough question. I'm not sure exactly how I got here or where 'here' is, or where I'm from. I know what you're thinking, "Dude is crazy," but it is what it is. I'm a ghost. I'm often everywhere at once. Then suddenly, I get tossed into the abyss.
2. What inspired you to write music?
Sadly, music is all I have. I have a deep interest in communicating with people, but when I speak to them face-to-face they look right through me. So I write songs they can understand. Those they listen to.
3. Tell us a bit about your new song "One Love." What inspired you to write this track?
It's a letter to a friend - Jean-Michel. He's an artist. It's how we communicate. Rather than using words, we throw art at each other. I like to paint too, but I don't have a place to hang my stuff. That's what's so cool about songs. You can hang them on Youtube.
4. How has touring been for you over the past year?
I've been touring for the past 300 years. But I've taken a break from all that. I still play locally in the graveyard, and such, but I really like making music videos. I have an iPad someone gave me and I enjoy using it to capture live music. In this way, my music lives forever.
5. Finally, where are we able to find your music? Youtube
“One Love” from The Ghost of Brooklyn Pays Homage to Artist Jean-Michael Basquiat in Rare Footage
http://glitterandstilettos.com/2015/05/one-love-from-the-ghost-of-brooklyn-pays-homage-to-artist-jean-michael-basquiat-in-rare-footage/
Parallel universes converge on the mysteriously entertaining music video “One Love” from a musical entity affectionately known as “The Ghost of Brooklyn”. Haunting the cemetery of artist and musician Jean-Michael Basquiat, The Ghost of Brooklyn takes viewers on a very personal journey to the actual tombstone of the New York-born artist. As a montage of Basquiat’s photos flash across the screen, The Ghost of Brooklyn meanders…and sometimes frolics through the brush and wooded terrain. Fascinating audiences with catchy lyrics, friendly rhythms, and hints of nostalgia, The Ghost of Brooklyn gives a chilling performance while giving viewers a glimpse into life on the other side.
Legend tells that The Ghost of Brooklyn was born in 1881 or close to it. While not your average ghoulish goblin, The Ghost is a musical one raised from the grave to create undying sounds. Having been spotted around New York City and across the world, The Ghost of Brooklyn is said to call Green-Wood cemetery his home. He is a guitarist, songwriter, and YouTube enthusiast. “One Love” is the latest tribute to his friend in spirit Jean-Michael Basquait, a NY artist who departed from the earth in 1988 to leave behind a growing artistic legacy. Listen if you dare to The Ghost of Brooklyn, for his sounds are most frightful, we mean…delightful.
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