CB Ghost’s latest single, ‘High on Elm & Vine’, is a deeply personal and evocative track inspired by an unforgettable encounter in Los Angeles. A psychedelic like rock song with an almost unhinged drum beat, written in a sudden burst of inspiration, explores themes of displacement, mental health struggles, and personal reflection.
While spending time in Los Angeles with his girlfriend—before the devastating fires—CB Ghost was struck by the stark reality of homelessness and the lack of mental health care in the city.
The emotions that surfaced at that time poured out in the form of ‘High on Elm & Vine’, written in a near-mystical rush of creativity. The song came together in just 20 minutes, its lyrics and melody flowing almost effortlessly. He chose to preserve that spontaneous energy in the final recording, keeping the song as close to its original essence as possible.
The studio recording process brought the track to life with the full band. Garrick Blow’s progressive rock-inspired drumming adds an intense rhythmic drive, while Murray Dilger’s hypnotic bass groove anchors the song. Geoff Nicol contributes a psychedelic, trippy lead guitar that elevates the track’s mystical quality. The result is a song that is both unsettling and mesmerizing, pushing CB Ghost out of his comfort zone.
CB Ghost, a songwriter with an honest simple folk-rock style that captures the essence of a complicated existence with singalong tunes and poetic lyrics and sometimes a banger beat. CB Ghost has emerged from a close-nit coastal surfing village in Australia. His background provides him with a deep connection to toe tapping Celtic, country and straight-ahead heartfelt rock music mixed with salt water from the ocean.
A former pro surfer, CB Ghost is driven, bold and dedicated to his evolving sound and a deep love of blue-collar folk stories and sensibility – and most importantly playing live to crowds who love to drink, dance, sing and have fun.
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