GR Exclusive Transmission!! Ghostland Observatory Interview

The first time I saw Ghostland Observatory, I had no idea what to expect. I’d never heard them before, and trying to get a reliable description of their music was like hearing several witnesses describe Bigfoot Sightings - I knew they were talking about something huge, but no two descriptions matched.
So going into their show the only thing I knew for sure was that one guy has these intense braids and the other one wears a sequined vampire cowl. That and that there was going to be a lot of dancing.
No matter what I’d heard, I could never have prepared myself for the mind blowing lazer-filled extravaganza that is Ghostland Observatory. Afterwards I wasn’t sure what I’d seen. Were we visited by aliens who could only dance to share their message of love? Where they some kind of Indian Holy Men communicating with Spirits? Whatever it was. . . it was AWESOME!
The band consists of Thomas Turner(who rocks the synthesizer and looks like a mix between Dracula and a member of Led Zepplin) and Aaron Behrens (who sings, plays the guitar, and dances like he’s from another planet).
Recently I was lucky enough to have Thomas answer a few questions on the band’s unique vibe.

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GR-How does only having two band members change the dynamics of a band?

TT-It is a strange combination. The vibe between Aaron and I is unique. We tried doing a 3 and 4 piece early on but it never worked.

GR-Whenever someone talks about your show, they without fail mention your insane dance antics and energy.  How do you keep up the energy throughout the entire show?

TT-Aaron is an amazing performer, he is a natural. As soon as the show starts it is hard to let up.

GR-Any idea where those moves come from?

TT-I would have to say the moves are from somewhere ‘else’.

GR-What are your favorite kinds of venues to play?

TT-They all surprise you. Some smaller shows ending up being the ones you remember, though some festivals are unforgettable as well.

GR-Can you site any musical inspirations that made you want to be in a band?

TT-I personally loved Daft Punk. When they released Homework that was it for me.

GR-I hear you have two kids. How do the children react to your music?

TT-They enjoy the music. My son does his own mock shows at school.

GR-How did you come up with your incredibly unique look (vinyl pants, lustrous braids, aviator shades, vampire cape?)

TT-It came to us in a dream.

GR-What’s the most pathetic/worst show you’ve ever played?

TT-Early on in New Jersey. Only five people came, mostly fishermen. They were not impressed.

GR-How do you write your music? Is it something composed together? Do you write songs separately and mail them to each other?

TT-Crop circles!

GR-I think probably the best part of your live shows is the way you feed your energy into the audience.

TT-When it is working that feeling is hard to beat. When the crowd is into it it is amazing.

GR-Also, I don’t know if this will go in the printed interview - but I’ve always just been slightly curious - what’s the deal with the gossiping girls in the song “Victory Lap” on Delete.Delete.I.Eat.Meat?

TT-It was a spur of the moment idea. We needed a bridge for a song and went to campus and asked these two girls if they would walk with the recorder and have a conversation. They did it, but thought we were creeps.

GR - By the way, how did you come up with the name Ghostland Observatory?

GR - Also,  do you believe in aliens?

TT- The name came to us via aliens!

GR-Wow. Well, I guess that answers both questions. . .

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