The Ghostplane album “Beneath the Sleepy Lagoon” was released on the 29th of August 2005

“Beneath the Sleepy Lagoon” is in many ways an extension of their critically acclaimed debut EP “The Panther Valley Country Club” . This project was a selection of seven tracks taken out of a total of twenty, all recorded in the isolated back blocks north of Wellington. With the addition of new members, a fresh burst of songwriting enthusiasm from Mark and Achilles and a new sense of band cohesion - they continued adding new sounds and songs to these original recordings.

The new tracking for the album took place in a number of studios, including Arch Hill, Island Bay, Blue Room and the bands home studios. Basic rhythm tracks were laid down fairly early in the process, allowing the band to spend time in Mark’s studio tinkering, experimenting and trying different things. New member Mike texturised the songs with trombone, keys and percussion. Other helpers included Luke Buda, Will Rickets and Con Wedde from the Phoenix Foundation, Chris Yeabsley from Twinset, Luke Benge from the Inkling and Nick Mcgowan. In fact everyone (band and non-band) was encouraged to contribute blips, clicks, clanks, and whirrs on instruments and non-instruments. They even tested the acoustic durability of beer bottles to maximum capacity – the unexpected glass explosions were a precursor to the album’s grander moments.

Once the band and their assemblage of talented, creative and oddball helpers had finished - it was decided the album would be mixed in one concentrated studio sitting. Nick McGowan and his white brick church studio - which looks a slice of outback Mexico transplanted into Wellington’s Island Bay - seemed like an ideal environment. In order to help add a particular ambience much of the tracking was re-amped by feeding the sounds through the large, dark and cavernous (and cold) church studio room, and then re-recording the resulting sonic tones into the mixes. This was a great way to inject depth and cohesion into the project. As you will hear, the complete album has a subtle complexity that requires multiple listens. It’s unique songs and sounds mine an unusual wonky-indie-sub-country/urban terrain. This is not quick fix music; it is a sound that is intelligent spacious and layered.

Another thing that sets Ghostplane apart is the fusion of musical and visual aesthetics. From the beginning it was decided that the artwork and musical process would work together. And so, with Peter Stenhouse involved (who also designed the stunning Panther Valley Country Club artwork), they were able to develop a wholistic aural and graphic vision. Conceptually, the band wanted the complete project to create a sense of place, space and mood - the result is a stunning album and fold out CD booklet.

Ghostplane have cemented a reputation as an excellent and unique live band; playing shows with the compatible acts like Calexico, Lambchop, Phoenix Foundation, SJD, Dimmer, Fang, Cassette, the Pretenders and others. Ghostplane are Achilles Botes (vocal, guitar), Mark Dryburgh (vocal, guitar), Ash Harmer (bass, vocals), Andrew Grayson (drums) Mike Scudder (keys, trombone).

THE PANTHER VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB sounds like a great place to record a batch of songs. A remote hideout in the woods, a stag's head on the wall, and the smell of smoking firewood - all in splendid isolation. With this ideal situation in mind, three of the four musicians who were to become Ghostplane headed for the back-blocks. It was near Levin and late in the summer of 2002. They found a suitable lonesome log cabin and settled in to some serious recording. Every morning after breakfast they wrote a new song. Then they recorded it. After lunch they wrote another song. And so on.

In spring that same year they returned for a second ten-day writing and recording session. Unbeknownst to them, these early formations were the beginning of the seven track Panther Valley Country Club debut. It was a project that would be two years in the making.

Back in Wellington street musicians were taken from street corners to improvise on the recordings (a banjoist and clarinetist). While drummer Andrew Grayson was sitting pretty because he'd nailed all his drum tracks earlier, Mark Dryburgh (guitar/vocals) began reassessing and re-arranging the songs along with fellow songwriter Achillies Botes (guitar/vocal). The band also recruited local drummer Ash Harmer so “she could play a mean bass”. Finally these new developments necessitated a name change (from Dana Éclair), and thus, Ghostplane was born to a packed house in Wellington 's Indigo bar mid 2003.

These days Ghostplane fall very approximately into the category of experimental indie rock/pop with a side of dark alt-country thrown in. With three vocalists, acoustic and electric guitars, miscellaneous semi-functioning electronic devices, lopsided rhythms, old drum machines and due respect to ‘the random element' you could say, in musicological terms, they've “got their own thing going” - and it definitely is a very good thing.

However, if you want more reference points here they are. They are not a million miles away from good friends and fellow Wellingtonians the Phoenix Foundation, or Arizonians Calexico - both of whom they have recently performed live shows with. The tracks ‘State Hijak' and ‘The Straight and Narrow' have had a bunch of play on B-net radio, the latter also has a video. The recording and production of ‘Panther Valley' was done by Mark Dryburgh, however, following one too many late night band listening session he handed over mix tweaking duties to David Holmes, recordist of Jakob, Gramsci and many others.{jcomments on}