The coolest band you’ve never seen before: an interview with West Ghost

The ghosts of Chico

To be unique and stand out in whatever craft you decide to hone takes skill, determination, and a ton of raw talent. This is something local band “West Ghost” seems to come by effortlessly, and it's undeniably apparent in their music. The raw vocals, mixed with powerful bass, opens the door for electrifying drums that will leave you ‘dancing in the wind’. West Ghost is relatively new to the music scene, as they released their first EP in 2019. It didn't take long for people to fall in love with the singular blend of genres the group creates.

Originality is hard to come by, especially since anyone can seemingly make music now. You don't need high level engineering or a full soundboard, consequently resulting in a ton of music that sounds the same. West Ghost aimed to change that narrative and create something anyone can listen to and most importantly, relate to. During the pandemic, the group found themselves with free time to create as their normal day-to-day lives slowed down. Usually, the band members were either going to school or working full time jobs which made finding time for music difficult. Having this extra free time let them create what would become their most popular song. With a strong audience on Spotify, the group was able to rake in over 260,000 streams on one single titled “Come Home.” Pretty impressive for a group who refers to themselves as the “part-timers''.

A great deal of inspiration for the music comes from the Chico community as the band is filled with locals, and the sound they create is a direct reflection of that. A “pop-punk” sound mixed with some country flare sets this group apart from other bands; they are not afraid to try something new, rather, they are chomping at the bit to create a unique sound.

West Ghost definitely has a mysterious ring to it, but what does it mean exactly? Well, the ghost is a symbol, one that defies normalcy and stands up for those who do not have a voice. While the ghost may be on vocals, we nevertheless still have no clue who he is. What we do know is that he lays down some incredible vocals and has curated a sound that is truly unique to him. Music has always been his passion as he started at five years old, eventually leading him to participate in numerous bands growing up. The passion never died, and has led West Ghost to more prevailing stages.

While the group started making tons of tracks amid the pandemic, they are still looking for the opportunity to perform at live shows, and they are expecting early 2022 to be their first in-person debut. It will be one you surely will not want to miss. While we are on the topic of upcoming news, West Ghost is releasing an EP, “Serpents,” set to release in November, bringing new pandemonium to our mysterious music loving wraiths. As the band is relatively new to the scene, the possibilities are endless. I, for one, look forward to the continued success of our local ghosts.

Check out their Spotify account, as it is full of gems, and you can find them on Instagram @westghostband