Simian Ghost started out as a recording project by Swedish songwriter Sebastian Arnström and, after two well received solo releases, became a fully-fledged band a few years back – picking up extensive international press and acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian (who called Youth a contender for album of the year) and, most impressively of all, a lead review in The Times.
Their latest track ‘When You’re Ready’ has been received with anticipation, and the band plans to release their full LP on September 29th via Heist or Hit Records.
We chatted to them about their influences, songwriting and future plans.
Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?
Hello! I’m good thank you. I’m re-planting some flowers while listening to a debate on the simulation argument. I’m trying to get away from obsessively watching the news all the time.
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Pop music I guess, but I think it’s best to let others decide that.
What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
If I had to choose just five I would say; Yo La Tengo – And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, Sonic Youth – Murray Street, Björk – Vespertine, Beach Boys – Pet Sounds and Jan Johansson – Jazz På Svenska.
Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
Right now I’m listening a lot to Prince, The Delfonics and Marvin Gaye. Anything with a smooth groove really. I’m in a period of needing that.
Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
Fender guitars, because they look the coolest.
What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
There isn’t a lot of people who care passionately about music anymore. Music journalism is all but dead. We’re in a cultural free fall really. I mean, a reality tv star is the world’s most powerful man. That says something about the current cultural climate.
Where do you gather songwriting inspiration?
Listening to good music, reading and watching movies. And the news.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?
Usually we just get together in an apartment somewhere, have a few drinks and improvise. Or we try and find a rehearsal space somewhere and do the same. Sometimes we just record stuff and send it back and forth via emails. We don’t really have a particular process.
What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
Any gig where the audience is happy and we remember the songs is an amazing one. The where and how doesn’t matter that much to us, we almost always have a good time on stage.
And the worst?
Haha, we’ve had bad ones too of course. But I don’t go around and think about those.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I work as a research assistant in a department of environmental psychology, so I’d probably try and get deeper into that.
Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?
Any that will have us.
If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, living or dead, who would it be?
Definitely Björk.
Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
We’re doing a video for our latest single ‘When You’re Ready’ in the coming weeks, so that’ll be coming up. And then a bit later we’ll release some more singles and then the full album.
Follow Simian Ghost:
https://soundcloud.com/simian-ghost
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