Moosic: Do you have a story behind your artist name?
Paul DePasquale: The name Ghost On TV came from the idea that artists and their art lives forever for us to enjoy for as long as we like. I find it pretty cool that I can be inspired by someone who is no longer of the living. Art and ideas can live on.
Tell us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
My music journey started at a very young age. I was six years old when I started playing instruments. Around 15 years of age, I was a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. I started early on playing acoustic guitar in coffee shops in New York. Even during these early years I dabbled in sequencing music on Korg Trinity Synths, which is where I realized music production and writing was something I wanted to pursue in my future.
While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I studied trumpet, guitar, and music production, I discovered a lot of music and developed a lot of different styles and techniques that improved my ability to write and produce.
During this time I wrote a lot of rock music with my band Vary Lumar. I developed a lot of my core characteristics as a songwriter and performer during those times. In those years I also started to shape the mix between an organic approach and electronic approach to music writing and recording. This changed the way I view music, arrangements, and instrumentation.
Currently, my journey with music does not involve many shows, but has been mostly focusing on reinventing and evolving past my comfort zones as a writer. This is what Ghost on TV is doing for me right now.
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
Ghost on TV is a minimalistic and stripped down rock forward sound, which has beats, trip-hop, and electronic elements. At times it can be edgy, it can be dark; but can also be groovy and poppy.
What drew you to the genre /instruments you’re playing right now?
I think the minimalistic approach and stripped down style of Ghost on TV has come from years of making prog-like music. I felt stuck as a writer over the last few years and it felt natural to keep it simple, focus on the groove and on the sound. I wanted to give each instrument their own time and space, allow them to breathe and fill in the emptiness where it could. I have always listened to a wide variety of music, but I feel like many years of being into trip-hop has played a role in the music I am making lately.
What inspires you to write music?
Many things. I have written about everything from life, politics, society, love, and nonsense. I have always been pretty reflective when writing, if I am feeling something you feel it in those songs, if I want to say something and be direct or indirect I bring that into the inspiration. What has inspired me lately has been coming to terms with getting older and finding balance in everything, being mindful of the simple things we tend to lose sight of in life.This concept has driven this new group of songs.
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
“Daily Laws,” out November 15, is the first single from my upcoming album Mister Silence, which will be released in early 2025. This album will be the third release from Ghost on TV, but almost acting like the reboot debut of this project. “Daily Laws” is a simple groove-driven track that embodies the concept of the album, as well as what I am trying to do with the project, as well as myself as a songwriter.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
I want the listener to just enjoy it. I do not want to challenge them, I want them to connect and feel something familiar. I want them to feel how simple things can be and hopefully can connect with some of the concepts I am singing about.
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
Right now a few new and old faves are pumping through my speakers lately: Idles, Black Sabbath (Master of Reality), and Squarepusher.
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
Instagram @ghost_on_tv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghost_on_tv/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostonTV
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7MnjqW4s5zy2gpOz1O36uJ
What’s next for you?
Going to follow up “Daily Laws” with another single release before unveiling Mister Silence in early 2025. I am already writing more music, so expect some more music to follow Mister Silence, as well as some performances somewhere, somehow, in some format.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
“Daily Laws” and the upcoming album was recorded with Sean McLaughlin of 37ft Productions and mastered by Jeff Lipton of Peerless Mastering.
Bio:
Ghost on TV is the new recording project from Boston-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Paul DePasquale. After soft-releasing debut album Appealing and debut EP Melt on Mild in 2020 during the pandemic, Ghost on TV returns with new single “Daily Laws” in November 2024 via Swoom Records. It’s the exciting first taste of new album Mister Silence, set for release in early 2025.
