Basement Gigs: Ghost Wave

Overview

Fresh from the success of their latest album Radio Norfolk, Auckland locals Ghost Wave return to The Basement for a one-off show.

The garage-psych band first appeared on the scene in late 2010. Inspired by skate vids, Persian rugs and the music of Little Richard, they released their self-titled debut album in 2012 and were signed to Flying Nun Records. Their debut album Ages was released in 2013, noted at the time for its nod to influences such as The Clean and Velvet Underground.

Lead singer/guitarist Matt Paul, when describing the song 'Playin' Lines', told The Wireless, "man I love music, it keeps me up and keeps me on the right track, but sometimes it's easy to get caught up and get things twisted. Give me some lines to play, I like to play lines every day." With the newest album, the band demonstrate the kaleidoscopic vision that has been engendered by those lines. Released in 2016, Radio Norfolk is the follow-up to Ages and is described by Paul as being "kind of a love record […] stylistically the vocal was pretty inspired by Rihanna".

The latest offering sees the Auckland duo delve more deeply into psychedelia with a series of trippy songs melding organs and percussion. Producer Sonic Boom (Spaceman 3) has brought the band's sound together to create a wonderful flow to the album. In their own words, Radio Norfolk is "the countdown to the meltdown."