Review Fix chats with Ghosts of Sunset’s John Merchant (singer, guitarist, co-writer), who discusses the band’s origin, creative process, goals and standout work.
Review Fix: How did the project start?
John Merchant: I had an idea for concept album based on the 1980s hair metal scene in LA and shared it with Todd Long. He and I have been making music together across several genres for over 30years. Both being big fans of that music, we dove in head first and after we finished the track “Miles In-Between†(our first single on Golden Robot Records) we decided it need the attention we would give a BAND, not just a “projectâ€.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Merchant: We usually start with a riff, then build a musical skeleton to start working from. Next, we decide a storyline for the song and start with melodies and lyrics. While that is unfolding, we’re also adding instrumentation and musical parts that help us further the storyline while giving us parts that illicit the emotional response we’re looking for from the subject matter.
Review Fix: What’s your standout song? How was it written?
Merchant: “Miles In-Between†will always be special because it was the first thing written for the band. It set the template for Ghosts of Sunset as a band and as co-writers.
Review Fix: What are your goals for 2020?
Merchant: Stay safe, happy, and healthy. Keep promoting Ghosts of Sunset via any channels available until we’re able to bring it to people in a live setting.
Review Fix: How do you want your music to affect people?
Merchant: An emotional connection. To have our songs become the soundtrack to great moments or even bring people back to a time and place in their own lives. The music WE love is woven into the fabric of our lives; we want the music of Ghosts of Sunset to do the same for others. We’re just keeping the circle going.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Merchant: Promoting our second single on Golden Robot Records which is titled “Never Goodbyeâ€. We’ll have a third single follow that, then the full EP release. We’re already in the process of writing and recording a full-length follow-up slated for a 2021 release. Hopefully when our industry recovers, we’ll perform some limited live engagements as well.
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