Holiday Ghosts – originally from Falmouth, now based in Brighton, feature drummer Katja Rackin and guitarist Sam Stacpoole, along with returning bandmate Charlie Murphy and a host of talented local Falmouth musicians.
Together they mine the works of eras past to cast the best of artists such as The Kinks, Violent Femmes, Alex Chilton and Modern Lovers as a backdrop onto which they deconstruct myriad social issues.
Themes of breaking out of moulds and expectations whilst addressing displacement, disillusionment and living during heavy advertising and commercial landscapes, spider their way through third album North Street Air released earlier this year via Fatcat Records.
The band are currently out on tour across the UK and guitarist Sam Stacpoole recently revealed his music inspirations to Andy Howells.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
I think maybe Hurricane by Bob Dylan. Not much needs to be said about that song. What a vocal.
What was the first single or download you bought?
I’ve never actually bought CDs or downloads. And I only really started buying 45rpms around the age of about 20 because I never thought they were a good deal. Obviously stupid. So, the first 45 I bought was Makin’ Love by the King Brothers. Still singles aren’t good enough of a deal for me though.
What was the first album you owned?
Midnight Vultures by Beck. My mum bought it and ended up giving it to me. It’s a strange intro to albums in general – very varied and playful… Also sexually charged. I had no idea what he was talking about – still don’t, never will. I hope.
What’s your constant go to track?
Not sure about constant or how long it will last, but at the moment I can’t stop listening to Electricity by OMD
What’s your constant go to album?
Again, it always changes. At this moment, if I’m at home, I think Decadence by Deux is usually top of the pile. It has been for about a year now.
Who’s your latest music discovery?
The Space Echo compilation. It’s one of the Analog Africa comps. Crazy story about synths washing up on a crewless ship on Cabo Verde in the late ’60s. The people on the island hadn’t heard any electronic music at that point or perhaps even seen a synth, so the music they made with this equipment was fully original to them and like no other still.
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
I think Walk for Hours remains my favourite Holiday Ghosts song. It’s got the best elements of our sound all rolled into one. I love the spirit of those early tracks that Kat wrote, real fresh.
Catch Holiday Ghosts live across the UK
- 29 November Oxford Florence Park Community Centre
- 30 November Guildford – The Boileroom
- 10 December Brighton Concord 2