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The Gothamist Band Interview: Ghostland Observatory

Jen Carlson

Published Jun 20, 2005

Modified Mar 7, 2008

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Jen Carlson

Published Jun 20, 2005

Modified Mar 7, 2008

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At the beginning of the year someone gave us an advance copy of a cd called Delete Delete I Eat Meat by an Austin band called Ghostland Observatory. It took us a while to actually listen to it, but once we did we were equally enchanted and amazed by this duo. Undoubtedly influenced by the likes of Daft Punk, Bowie and LCD, Ghostland offers up their own brand of electro-dance soul rock. It's as if a piece of every musical genre of the past and present were blended together to create a keyboard. A keyboard that could only be used by this one band. We dare you to listen and not dance.
Ghostland Observatory are Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner, and you aren't going to believe how much noise two people can make until you see them tonight at Movable Hype. Details after the interview.

Let's get this out of the way, where did your band name originate?
Aaron's brain is filled with ghostly sonatas and astral observations, so through thought they mixed and mingled in the strangest of fashions.

Have you ever been to NYC? If so, any favorite/least favorite memories? If not, what are your thoughts and expectations?
BOTH IN UNISON - Never been. No expectations, just excited "laid back entertainer vibe".

Are there any New York-centric books, movies, song lyrics that you associate strongly with your idea of this city?
BOTH IN UNISON -"I'm going back to New York City I do believe I've had enough" Bob Dylan

Describe the music scene in Austin?
Aaron - Like a mother giving birth, Beautiful yet still a struggle (cheesy grin)
Thomas - The clowns are after us!

Now its time for some fill-in-the-blank action

"You know you've made it when..."
You have arrived

"It'll be time to pack up the gear for good when..."
When we start making work-out videos

"I'll never forget the first time we..."
Watched each other make love to our instruments

"I'll never forget the first time [insert another band member's name here]..."
Thomas disgusted an alt. rock band with his Garry Glitter set.

Let's have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following (if you've got no discernable feelings, make something up that won't embarrass you in the morning)

Yankees
nostalgic

Mets
what happened to 1965

Britney
no dice

Ben Brown
one of a kind lover

Pitchfork
ouch

Blogs
never surrender

Bridge & Tunnel
Roland space echo-moog voyager

Times Square
mathematics

SXSW
no comment..

Questions inspired by movies...

If you will, a brief justification of the ontological necessity of modern man's existential dilemma (in less than 10 words). (Reality Bites)
Everyone needs something to believe in.

What came first, the music or the misery? (High Fidelity)
BORING!

A few quickies on the music tip

Who would be in your ultimate music supergroup, your all-star Olympic team of rock?
Freddy Mercury, Giorgio Moroder, Garry Glitter, Prince

If you released a 7" what would you put on the cover?
A robot making love to a tree.

What was the first/last album you bought on the day it was released?
Aaron - on cd it was Snoop Dogg's "Doggy Style"/Mars Volta "deloused in the commatorium"
Thomas - Beastie Boys "check your head"/Mars Volta "deloused in the commatorium"

And finally...If Josh Schwartz, creator of the OC, asked your band to perform on his tv show (as Modest Mouse, the Killers and the Walkmen recently have) would you?
NO. Sorry, we are not pretentious, we are just not interested.

Ghostland Observatory plays their first NYC show ever tonight at Movable Hype. They go on at 10pm, be ready to move.
Listen to Edge of Town.mp3
And check out Austinist's interview with the band.

Tagged

Aaron Behrens

austin

band interview

bob dylan

books

city

daft punk

dance

Ghostland Observatory

interview

Movable Hype

movies

Music

new york

new york city

nyc

people

punk

Thomas Turner

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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