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Ghost Light (band)

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Ghost Light
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
GenresIndie, Rock, jam band
Years active2017-2023
MembersTom Hamilton
Raina Mullen
Scotty Zwang
Taylor Shell
Past membersHolly Bowling
Steve Lyons
Dan Africano
Websitewww.ghostlightband.com

Ghost Light is a five-piece American jam band formed in 2017 by Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past, American Babies, Joe Russo's Almost Dead), Raina Mullen, Holly Bowling, Scotty Zwang (Dopapod, RAQ), and Steve Lyons (Nicos Gun).[1] Ghost Light's debut album, Best Kept Secrets, was named one of Glide's top 20 albums of 2019.[2] Ghost Light has performed on major festival stages and in historic venues including Lockn' Festival,[3] Jam Cruise,[4] Electric Forest Festival,[5] Mission Ballroom,[6] Brooklyn Bowl,[7] The Peach Music Festival[8] and Terrapin Crossroads.[9] Ghost Light toured as an opening act for Greensky Bluegrass in the winter of 2020.[10]

History

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Ghost Light was formed at the end of 2017 with two established mainstays in the jam band music scene, Tom Hamilton & Holly Bowling.[11][12][13] The original assembly of the band occurred in a studio in Philadelphia, PA. This allowed the band to bond and grow through the music writing process.[14] Unlike most Jam Bands, Ghost Light decided to start by recording an album before ever playing a live show.[15] The band launched their first tour with a sold-out show in San Diego, CA[16] and performed in over 25 venues across the United States throughout 2018.

In March 2019, original bassist Steve Lyons was replaced by Dan Africano from the band John Brown's Body.[17]

On March 22, 2019, Ghost Light released their debut album 'Best Kept Secrets'. At their show that night in Minneapolis, MN they performed the album in its entirety.[18] Ghost Light played 59 shows in 2019 and had 20 scheduled performances for 2020.[19]

In March 2022, the band announced that bassist Dan Africano departed the group and was replaced by Turkuaz founding member Taylor Shell.[20]

In August 2022, the band announced their sophomore album 'The Healing' which was released in October.[21]

Holly Bowling announced in December 2022 that she would be leaving the band at the end of the year, performing her final show on December 29 in Denver.[22]

The band performed their last show at the Peach Music Festival on July 7, 2023 with Tom McKee (American Babies) on keyboards.[23]

Critical response

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Andy J. Gordon described Ghost Light's improvisational live show at the Teragram Ballroom as having "reached glorious synchronicity that has made their recent live shows a revelation."[24]

Doug Collette described Best Kept Secrets as "a purposeful, cogent statement on the part of these seasoned musicians."[25]

Mint described the album as "a trippy set of songs that are light and delicate but also intricate and engrossing," recommending especially the "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" track.[26]

Ben Beamish wrote, "While some music conveys an artist's message, this one seems to want to incite a response from its audience" in his review of Best Kept Secrets.[27]

Band members

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Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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Live recordings

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Selected performances and shows

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References

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  1. ^ "Ghost Light is Born", Relix Magazine, October 1, 2019
  2. ^ "The Glide 20- Glide's Best Albums of 2019". Glide Magazine. December 2, 2019.
  3. ^ "Ghost Light: A Ghost is Born". Relix Media. October 1, 2019.
  4. ^ "Ghost Light Releases Soundboard From Jam Cruise, Announces Live Streams [Full-Show Audio]". L4LM. January 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "Electric Forest Expands 2019 Lineup". JamBase.
  6. ^ "Greensky Bluegrass Welcomes Holly Bowling On Night Two At Mission Ballroom In Denver [Photos/Videos]". L4LM. December 8, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ghost Light | Brooklyn Bowl | 1/18/2020". Grateful Web.
  8. ^ "Preview: The Peach Music Festival 2019". Relix Media. July 23, 2019.
  9. ^ "Ghost Light Shares Full-Show Audio From Grateful Dead-Infused Terrapin Crossroads Performance [Listen]". L4LM. January 18, 2019.
  10. ^ "Greensky Bluegrass Announces 2020 Winter Tour Dates With Ghost Light". L4LM. October 14, 2019.
  11. ^ Loria, Keith (17 January 2020). "Alt rockers Ghost Light ready to jam at FTC". The Ridgefield Press. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Holly Bowling and Tom Hamilton Form New Band, Ghost Light". Jambands. January 11, 2018.
  13. ^ Bise, Alex (17 May 2019). "Tom Hamilton on Ghost Light, learning from the Dead". Asbury Park Press.
  14. ^ "Ghost Light Announces 1st Half Of Inaugural Tour". JamBase.
  15. ^ "Episode 6: Holly Bowling".
  16. ^ "Ghost Light Makes Their Triumphant Debut In San Diego", Live for Live Music, March 21, 2018
  17. ^ "Ghost Light Jams New Album 'Best Kept Secrets' In St. Paul: Full Show Audio". JamBase. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  18. ^ "Ghost Light Plays New Album, 'Best Kept Secrets', In Its Entirety In St. Paul [Photos/Audio]". L4LM. March 25, 2019.
  19. ^ "Phantasy Tour". www.phantasytour.com.
  20. ^ O'Brien, Andrew (2022-03-09). "Ghost Light Adds Former Turkuaz Bassist Taylor Shell To Band Lineup". L4LM. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  21. ^ "Ghost Light Announces New Album 'The Healing' & Shares Single".
  22. ^ a b Bernstein, Scott (2022-12-09). "Holly Bowling To Depart Ghost Light After 2022". JamBase. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  23. ^ Ghost Light (2023-07-02), Ghost Light Live at The Peach Music Festival - Montage Mountain, Scranton PA on 2023-07-02, retrieved 2023-12-09
  24. ^ Gordon, Andy J. (27 November 2019). "Ghost Light Shower Teragram Ballroom With Experimental Rock & Tight Improv (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Ghost Light Mix Accessible with Ethereal on Debut LP 'Best Kept Secrets' (ALBUM REVIEW)". 21 March 2019.
  26. ^ "Six new(ish) bands to check out this summer". Mint. 21 April 2019.
  27. ^ "Album Premiere: Ghost Light Debut in a Sonic Frenzy on 'Best Kept Secrets'". March 21, 2019.
  28. ^ "Ghost Light Taps Taylor Shell As New Bassist".
  29. ^ "Ghost Light Jams New Album 'Best Kept Secrets' In St. Paul: Full Show Audio".
  30. ^ "Ghost Light Announces Debut Album 'Best Kept Secrets' & Shares Single".
  31. ^ "Ghost Light Jams New Album 'Best Kept Secrets' In St. Paul: Full Show Audio".
  32. ^ "Ghost Light Taps Taylor Shell As New Bassist".
  33. ^ "The JamBase Podcast: Ghost Light's Tom Hamilton & Raina Mullen".
  34. ^ Kuykendall, Kristal (2019-04-08). "Ghost Light Lives Up to Its Hype With Wide Range of Styles and Sounds". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  35. ^ "Ghost Light Announces New Album 'The Healing' & Shares Single". jambase.
  36. ^ "Ghost Light Ignites for Liftoff at Terrapin Crossroads". PopMatters. 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  37. ^ "Pro-footage: Watch Ghost Light's Acoustic Set at Terrapin Crossroads - Jam Buzz". Jam Buzz. 2018-04-10. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  38. ^ "Watch Tom Hamilton Shut Down A Heckler During Ghost Light's Gorgeous "Mississippi Half-Step"". L4LM. 2018-04-14. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
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