On February 21, Niverville-based rock band Plain as Ghosts will releasing their brand-new five-track EP, Sleepless Shadow. Their self-produced debut album, Rendering, was released in 2016. This is the band’s second album, and this time they worked with producer Jordan Voth.
The member of the band have worked through a few personal obstacles during the last couple years that they say pushed music to the background in terms of their priorities. However, Plain as Ghosts is back on track to push their music with renewed vigour.
The songs on this new EP reflect the experiences they’ve been through, providing a personal connection to each song they play.
“I like to write music about experiences, situations that are close to me,” says frontman Trevor Lux. These experiences range from raising a family and office politics to handling family members who struggle with addictions.
Plain as Ghosts also features Adam Halstrom on bass guitar, Rodrigo Ramirez on drums, and Daniel Friesen on guitar.
The title track is a hauntingly mellow ballad with simple melodies and guitar, while the other tracks punch with a more grunge rock feel. The 90s-influenced alternative rock is a flashback for those who cranked out music from bands like Filter or Failure.
The band has made waves on campus radio, which in turn earned them opening spots for groups like Pop Evil, Royal Tusk, and Tom Cochrane. On top of playing during Niverville’s Olde Tyme Country Fair, they’ve also entertained crowds at Steinbach’s Summer in the City three years in a row.
With the release of this EP, the four-piece band will be playing a few festivals and fairs this upcoming summer. So far they’ve lined up a gig playing at Bankside Music Festival near Letellier on July 18. More dates will be announced shortly.
“After summer, I anticipate that we will tackle another remix album,” Lux adds. “And the hope is to do an acoustic EP down the line.”