After years of ignoring trends and sticking to his own style, ghost/\/ghoul has become a master of his own craft. Creating a sound unlike anyone else, the TeamSESH instrumentalist is one of the group’s original members, and has an incredibly extensive discography. ghost/\/ghoul spoke with us about how music means everything to him, his childhood in Puerto Rico, future projects, and much much more.
Underground Underdogs: You’ve been making music for a long time. How’d you get your start?
ghost/\/ghoul: I’ve always had a love for music, but when I moved to New York that love began to blossom. I was obsessed with hip hop at the time and the history of it, I would study it relentlessly. I collected CD’s from old school artists, and listened to whole projects over and over. Then that turned into exploring other genres and I’m still nerding out over music. I was just a huge fan of how powerful music can be or mean to people, never thought I could actually create any. I started on FL Studio, some tutorials here and there but for the most part I just taught myself through trial and error. I would make simplistic spacey sounding stuff, but didn’t think it was any good or I didn’t think I was at the point where I could really pull that off the exact way I wanted to. I started to sample and fell in love with how abstract you could really be with it. Which eventually brought me back to the sound I wanted to tackle. Music to me is just life.
How’d you end up joining TeamSESH?
Near the end of 2011 I had just started posting my music on SoundCloud more consistently. Bones messaged me saying he really fucked with my music, wanted me to send some tracks to him and so I did. Then not too long after the whole idea of TeamSESH started to form and it was just natural.
Music to me is just life.
When you agreed to an interview, one of the first things I did was visit your SoundCloud page and immediately what stuck out was the message “don’t rap on my music”. Obviously an exception would be an agreed upon collaboration but the message seems to mean because you’re making the music to be as intended, not as a song intended for vocals. Is that accurate or is there another reason?
Yes, my music that I release solo was never made for someone to rap on, I understand someone wanting to rap over something that doesn’t have any vocals but its not why I make music. There’s been plenty of instances where music has been stolen or used and others have made money off without any compensation or credit or anything. I just rather avoid that. If someone wants to rap on some of my music they can just email me instead and we can go from there.
In a previous conversation you mentioned that you don’t really label yourself specifically as a producer or artist. Most people would say you’re a producer because you make instrumental music. Do you think it’s an oversimplification to categorize people based whether or not they make instrumentals or not?
I respect music too much to just call myself something I know I’m not, at least not yet. A real producer sets the vibe for a song or project, involved throughout the entire process of its creation a long every step. A real artist births the idea and completes it, they are jack of all trades. I feel like I am currently in-between both learning as much as I can. I create my own music from scratch, based off my ideas with specific vibes for the projects and I’m involved in all creative aspects. Whether it be the cover art, mixing, titles, etc – all of it. When you think you need vocals for a song to be considered a song, you’re restraining yourself from discovering different ways of listening to music. I can’t make people change how they view it, it’s something they would have to come across and take time to understand. So yes, it’s very much an oversimplification.
Do you think making mainly instrumental music with little or no vocals puts you at a disadvantage in terms of gaining and growing a fan base?
In some ways yes. for example I’m always associated with “rap” music, but released maybe 1 official song that has a rapper on it. In other ways you stand out, which is way better in the long run.
The last thing I would ever wanna do is sound like anybody else
Do you have any goals you’ve set to advance your music? Whether it’s learning a new instrument or doing live shows or anything to that effect?
Always experimenting and learning, trying something different everyday. I’m going to be teaching myself another DAW, and changing up my workflow.
Your music has been consistently unique in a scene where a lot of music shares the same sound. What influences your sound? Whether it’s music, movies or any forms of art or other aspects of life.
Thanks, the last thing I would ever wanna do is sound like anybody else. I’d get bored so fast if I was making the same type of sound all the time. you can’t progress like that, I’m trying to become a better artist everyday. I like a lot of sci fi, or things that can make me feel nostalgia. help me get lost in thought.
I was listening to your 2017 EP Blue not too long ago and the songs seem to drift from chill and beautiful to a bit ominous. Do you envision a theme for each album to play out a certain way?
Yes that project was quite different for me, I attempted to split RYB into 3 distinct EPs based off the feeling each color made me feel. The majority of my projects have a theme to them and I really dive into the ideas. They’re like art pieces to me, from the names to the sounds and especially the choice of artwork. They are all interconnected.
Being a big ambient music and post-rock fan, I’ve always enjoyed the imagery the mind conjures when listening to instrumental music. Is this something you take into consideration when you’re making music? Whether it’s what want the listeners to envision or something that’s personally satisfying.
For sure, with instrumental music you have an open canvas for listeners. You give them the freedom to draw whatever painting they choose in their mind with the sounds being colors and textures. Before I finish a song or put it on a project I listen to it hundreds of times, with as many perspectives as possible. Just to see if it’s something you can listen over and over again and still see or feel something new each times.
You’ve put out so much music – in 2017 alone you put out seven EPs. How do you stay motivated to keep working? Have there been setbacks or obstacles you’ve had to overcome to keep making music? Can we expect you to keep up that pace in 2018?
Yea, last year was crazy. For me it’s not so much about being motivated, it’s more of needing to create for peace of mind. It’s like therapy for me. So I’m always creating, I can never have enough of it. Sometimes you’ll hit a creative block but that’s just natural and as you learn more about yourself you can break through it. With this year I want to switch it up and see what type of inspiration I find against the grain. I’m still making music daily, just being more thorough. I do have some stuff planned though for sure.
What was your life like growing up in Puerto Rico? I know you moved when you were quite young, has the culture stuck with you?
Being there as a child I really had a tunnel vision like perspective but from what I remember it was lively and colorful with a lot of family gatherings almost daily. And yea, there was quite a bit of culture shock, my mom woke me up one night and we left to Florida. I had no idea what was going on but those memories stick with you and I wouldn’t change any of it. Definitely part of what makes me today.
I know you’re in Tampa now and you’ve mentioned you enjoy it – the culture is there, the weather is nice, you have the bay. Would you consider moving elsewhere? What would be the motivation behind moving?
I love Florida, the weather is similar to what I remember from Puerto Rico so I get that small sense of home. I’ve lived in NY most of my life, I’m done with cold weather. But if I move anywhere it probably would have to be near the ocean somewhat.
You’ve recently announced a project with fellow SESH member Vegard. Can give any details on what you two have in store or is that a secret?
Insanity, it’s gonna hit really hard. Vegard is a genius.
When it comes to collaborating – whether on an instrumental project or one that has vocals – what are qualities you look for in other artists?
Not sounding like everybody else, that’s the most important part. being themselves, genuinely have a love for music. Have respect for people around them.
I want to thank you for taking the time to take with us. I can’t wait to see what you have in store in the future. Before we conclude the interview, Is there anything you want people reading this interview – long time fans or people new to your music – to know?
I just want to thank anybody who has ever taken the timeout their day to listen to music I’ve made, TeamSESH truly has the best support out there is.