Sacramento indie rock band Ghostplay is Jason Hess (vocal/guitar/keys), Leticia Garcia (guitar) and Mando Gonzales (drums). They are not new to the scene by any means. Not only does the band have a ton of shows under their belt, they have been nominated for the SAMMIES (a Sacramento spin on the GRAMMYs) multiple times.
It is easy to get lost in Ghostplay’s ambient sound, which lies somewhere in-between Joy Division and Interpol. You won’t find a bass player in the band however the trio brings heavy, dark and dreamy music to the table. Hess uses his voice as an instrument of its own, sometimes mumbling the words to lyrics, bending and moving them in and out of the looping guitars. Gonzales’s drums bring the band full circle, reining in the wandering guitars by returning consistency to the surreal sounds. All together these three are the perfect musical fit for each other. They tease as if they are letting go of the song, just playing on a whim, and then they pull in back together tight and controlled.
Ghostplay recently released their single New Monday off of their upcoming EP titled 33 which drops July 10th.
We caught the band last week at the Blue Lamp in Sacramento, CA. If you missed them at the Blue Lamp, make sure to catch them at Old Ironsides (1901 10th Street Sacramento CA) July 10th for their EP release show. MALL WALK is on the bill as well. It should be one hell of a show. We will see you there!
Words and Photos Melissa Uroff