ACL Fest Artist Interview: A Quick Chat With Ghostland Observatory

Now that Spoon have a Top 10 album on the Billboard charts, if there's a new king of the Austin indie-rock scene, it's Ghostland Observatory. If you've not heard them yet, we'll classify them as a dance and electronic rock duo who utilize synths, drum machines, and guitars to create a fairly unique sonic space for themselves which never fails to get a crowd moving. The duo of Thomas Turner and Aaron Behrens have gone from local obscurity to playing Lollapalooza and selling out UT's Hogg Auditorium in less than three years. They've also taped an episode of the 2007-08 season of Austin City Limits which will air in October. With all of the activity, the guys are quite busy these days, but they found a few minutes to email us about the state of the band, playing festival gigs, and (possibly) expanding their record label someday.

What was the inspiration behind your "Ghostland At The Opera" theme night you did in January? Were you pleased with the results?

Thomas: I wanted to use a unique venue that was not intended for our type of show. When I looked at Hogg, I felt it had an old opera house vibe, and I thought it would be perfect to play the production off of that. I was very pleased with the results!

Your performance at ACL 2006 was often mentioned as a highlight of the festival. How do the two of you work to project to a festival crowd in a meaningful way?

Aaron: We just do it the way we always do! Pushing it to the limit, MAD MAX STYLE!

Your music has been championed by national and local media, from our parent site Gothamist to Spin to Seattle's great KEXP. Do you have a city outside of Austin that you feel you're "most popular in" or that has the best audiences for GLO?

Aaron: Actually, there are a lot of cities that are starting to get crazy and we can't pick just one. They are all starting to let loose and get buck wild!

Were you surprised to be asked to do the Austin City Limits TV show at such an early stage in your career?

Thomas: It was an honor, and I was very pleased with our performance.

Why did you decide to self-release your albums? Do you intend to distribute other artist's works through your Trashy Moped label?

Thomas: I always wanted to start up a label and do the business side of things, so when the opportunity presented itself, I went for it. There is a freedom that we get from not having a boss. Right now is a busy time for Ghostland, so I am focusing most of the label's resources on us. [But] I look forward to finding new acts, and I always have an ear out. I'm sure I can devote more time to develop new artists through the label in the future.

It's been nearly 18 months since the release of Paparazzi Lightning. Have you been recording new material this year?

Thomas: Yes, we are working on a new record.

Finally, just like the ACL taping, you're going head to head versus The Decemberists this year. Do you have any words of wisdom for music fans torn on which show to see?

Aaron: Do what your heart and hips tell you to do!

Ghostland Observatory will perform at the Austin City Limits Festival on Sunday, September 16th at 7:45pm.

[Ghostland Observatory Official Site]
[Ghostland Observatory MySpace]
[ACL Fest Tickets]

Image via Ghostland Observatory's MySpace page; photo by Chad Wadsworth.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Tom Thornton in Arts & Entertainment on August 22, 2007 11:30 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

guest

completely agree with you #18, from start to finish. I've played shows with these guys...they do support other local bands. They are extremely nice to both their fans and opening acts, never turning their ears to other talents and genres. can't wait for the next show!

guest

Man, out with all of the negativity! Just because a few people like a band that isn't yours...errr, I mean plays music other than what you like, doesn't give you a pass for pissing all over everything.

People like this band, they're fun to see live, they don't take themselves too seriously, (unlike yourself) and they're from Austin. Thats all I need.

I see all sorts of bands all over Austin and most of them suck, but I don't go to their boards and hand out insults. Move out of this city if you're going to be angry and negative. Move to Houston, there are lots of angry people with no taste there.

guest

Sexual ambiguity and Daft Punk style electrodisco have never been more in...

And I for one think that they sound like daft punk and Cedric Bixler...

their are much worse things to be influenced by..

But, mainly i posted this long ass comment because some jerk posted the one about GLO "...some of the most original stuff ive heard in awhile."

YOU LISTEN TO TOO MUCH CLEARCHANNEL!

now go find one of the REAL innovative and original bands playing in this city.

guest

Guest 14 - There are unfortunately not better bands in Austin. Most of them are just repeats of the same crap over and over. I agree with you on Spoon, but I will say that Ghostland's live performance is kind of refreshing. Solid beats and vocals.

guest

Absolutely incredible live. I managed to stumble across them in Houston, and it was a great experience. They actually stayed around afterwards and bs'ed with fans. Which was kind of cool.

guest

Seriously, it's like there are only 2 bands and 1 venue in Austin. Enough with GLO, Spoon and the f'ing Mohawk. Can you please interview/talk about any of the other hundreds of bands and or venues in this town that are much better?

guest

Q: You know what's more disgusting than old people complaining about the bad tastes of young people?

A: Young people that can't deal with criticism of a band/movie/fad that they're not even associated with.

Patrick C

Yeah, I've e-mail interviewed Ghostland before and that's just how they reply. Not a whole hell of a lot you can do unless you get in touch with them in person, which is tricky these days. They're in demand, yo.

And all you old folks telling us young, hip kids to get off your damn lawn just need to chill. GLO are a very solid band, particularly live. They're great performers. And to claim they're somehow emblematic of Everything That's Wrong With Popular Music in a world where Avril Lavigne and Linkin Park are still making platinum records is a little much.

guest

Guest #10 is correct, this interview appears to have been conducted by email or fax and lost any hope at spontaneity. That being said, I love to see how the success of any Austin band brings out the jealousy in droves amongster hipster doofuses, especially those who can't get a music career of their own going. I'm happy for GLO and glad to see them making this work for them -- on their terms-- as a fully independent band. I've enjoyed the shows I've seen them do so far and wish them the best of luck in the future, especially since they're good about bringing along other noteworthy Austin bands when they perform.

guest

This just isn't a very interesting interview in terms of their responses.

It's the reading equivalent of listening to the Eagles: BORING.

piltdownman

On GlO: First, the two-man band thing is sooo old. Second, Aaron Behrens reminds me so much of Lenny Kravitz I want to puke.

On the good side: At least they're not twee.

guest

"Pushing it to the limit, MAD MAX STYLE!" That's just brilliant.

guest

LAME

guest

cut your hair hippie. this is terrible music

guest

Guest #2:...if you're going to say that you need to hear Guest #1's album for him to have an opinion then I'm going to need to see your album for your opinion to count as well.

uselessgoo

these guys are fun!

guest

ghostland is some of the most original stuff i've heard in a while...

guest

Guest # 1...what was your last album?

I would like to see your stuff?

I think GLO is amazing.

Keep it up guys, just stay out of Emo's!!! (sorry, it's too small for you guys)