GHOST FUNK ORCHESTRA
No fun, Troy NY (7/13/24)
Last Saturday July 13, 2024, The Brighton Beat took the stage at No Fun in Troy, NY, kicking off the show for Ghost Funk Orchestra. Their energetic live show was nothing short of amazing, exuding a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The band's horn section brought a special flair to their music, captivating the audience with their intricate melodies. Each member of the band played in perfect harmony, creating a seamless performance. Their rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" was truly outstanding, showcasing their talent and skill. Overall, The Brighton Beat proved to be an ideal match for sharing the stage with Ghost Funk Orchestra.
The recent performance by The Ghost Funk Orchestra was truly magical. The band's unique blend of funk, jazz, and psychedelic soul creates a captivating vibe. Seth Applebaum and Josh Park captivated the crowd with their distinct psychedelic guitar melodies that harmonized flawlessly. Evan Heinze's groovy bass lines seamlessly complemented the band's psychedelic and soulful ambiance. The trumpet skills of Billy Aukstik, combined with Jon Degan's versatility on flute and saxophone, added an extra layer of depth to the performance.
The harmonious vocals of Mel Johnston and Kim Foxen elegantly brought everything together, their lively energy and tambourine playing captivating the audience throughout the entire show.The Setlist for The Ghost Funk Orchestra performance are as follows;
Intro
Scatter
Death Waltz
Night Walker
Blockhead
Fuzzy Logic
Asphalt Homeland
Overture
Drop Me A Line
Boneyard Baile
King of Misdirection
Your Man’s No Good
Walk Like A Motherfucker
*Encore* Blood Moon
GHOST FUNK ORCHESTRA
After the live show, I had the privilege of conducting an interview with Seth Applebaum, the mastermind behind Ghost Funk Orchestra.
Rachael Skinner: What was your inspiration for creating Ghost Funk Orchestra? How did you go from creating all of your music solo to recruiting an entire orchestra to bring your amazing vision to life?
Seth Applebaum: I had been playing in a 3-piece garage rock band when I decided to start Ghost Funk Orchestra. The earliest GFO tunes were pretty stripped down and guitar-forward since that's where my head was at. As time went on and I met new musicians and collaborators, the focus began to shift away from the guitars and more towards the horns and the vocals. I've always been inspired by big bands like Antibalas and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, so in the back of my mind I knew that I wanted to put together a big live band. Thankfully starting the project in NYC meant that I had access to a lot of amazing musicians, and through word of mouth I was able to recruit more and more people to get in on the band who had heard rumblings about what we were doing.
Rachael Skinner: Where do you gain inspiration for your songs? What drives your passion to create your truly unique style of music?
Seth Applebaum: Inspiration comes from everywhere...from my personal experiences, from other bands I listen to, from things I read. I like to try my hand at different sounds and vibes, so when I go on a kick listening to a new artist or style, I'll inevitably want to try my hand at doing something that takes cues from that.
Rachael Skinner: Can you tell me what it was like to create your newest album “A Trip to the Moon”? What is your creative process like when you write and compose your music?
Seth Applebaum: When I went into making the new album, I was interested in writing songs that were decidedly higher energy and rougher around the edges. The previous album “A New Kind Of Love” was focused on tight, soulful tunes. For “A Trip To The Moon,” I wanted to take all that energy and inject more rowdiness into it. I wanted bigger horn arrangements, dirty guitars, etc. The creative process always begins with my hashing things out myself on drums, bass, and guitar. I build the songs as much as I can by myself, and then I bring in my bandmates to add horns and vocals where needed.
Rachael Skinner: What is your favorite venue in NYC to perform at? What is it about that venue you that makes it your favorite?
Seth Applebaum: My favorite venue in NYC is a two-way tie between Brooklyn Bowl and Bowery Ballroom. They both have great sound, great lights, and are both big enough to feel triumphant and small enough to feel rowdy and intimate.
Rachael Skinner: Which musician or band would you most want to perform with, if given the opportunity?
Seth Applebaum: As far as living artists go, I would love the opportunity to play with Thee Sinseers. We've talked about it before and have even had the offer, but the stars haven't aligned yet. They're one of my favorite current bands in our scene, and they put on such an incredible show. Always interested in sharing bills with kindred spirits in the world of gigantic live bands!
