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Prepare for the Ghostland Observatory experience!

April 18th, 2008 Posted by: Dust Devil

Hello all,

Tomorrow I jump on a plane and fly out to Denver, CO. Once I arrive, I head to Boulder for what I guarantee you will be one of the best shows of the year; Ghostland Observatory at the Fox Theatre in Boulder.

I attended the first ever Monolith Festival at Red Rocks last year. Amazing, amazing weekend! I saw so many bands that weekend; it was, without a doubt, the best weekend of my life. No joke. I love music and have attended many shows in my day, but the combination of the line-ups for both days and the fact it was my first trip to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a venue I dreamed of going to ever since seeing U2’s “Under A Blood Red Sky” video, made that weekend truly special.

Ghostland Observatory was the first band I saw that weekend. They had an early slot on Friday and played on the main stage (there were a total of five stages bands played on during the festival). I had never heard of these guys, but my sister, who attended the festival with me, had checked them out online and said she was interested in seeing them. Great, that was what the weekend was all about, checking out artists I knew nothing about. I was looking forward to discovering new bands. That and seeing the Flaming Lips for the first time! But I digress …

These two guys come out onstage. One was wearing this light blue cape and planted himself at an extensive set of keyboards. The other guy had long hair weaved in two braids and wore dark aviator glasses. I thought to myself, “What the heck?” Then the music started.

Ghostland Observatory may only be a duo. The singer also plays guitar, the keyboardist also plays the drums. However, the utter power, musicianship and above all, showmanship that this duo puts out left me speechless.

Thomas Turner weaves together tunes that beg you to start dancing. Their music is a unique branch of electronica, with splashes of rock and funk mixed in. He jumps behind the drums as well on some songs and beats the skins very well.

Aaron Behrens, in my opinion, is one of the best frontmen I have ever seen. Yes, I said that. I have seen some amazing frontmen in my day. Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen. Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips. Phil Collins. Henry Rollins. Peter Gabriel. Aaron Behrens immediately made me think of a cross between James Brown and Mick Jagger. His stage presence, command of the audience, powerful and inspired vocal delivery and above all, the way he can flat out dance onstage, was a blast to watch.

I was hooked! I looked around and although the crowd was not huge, everyone in the crowd was dancing. That should tell you how well this duo was received by those lucky enough to see them.

Ghostland Observatory has three discs out, all on Thomas Turner’s Trashy Moped Recordings. Get them all. Today. Right after you read this. They also have a DVD out that was released last year of their Austin City Limits performance from last year. Great DVD; get it anyway, but definitely get it if you do not have an opportunity to attend a show of theirs.

I am stoked for this weekend! Look for a concert review and pictures next week! Cheers!

The Dust Devil

Ghostland Observatory MySpace Page http://www.myspace.com/ghostlandobservatory
Ghostland Observatory Fan Site http://www.ghostlandobservatory.net/
Ghostland Observatory Live in the Studio at KEPX Stream http://www.ghostlandobservatory.net/audio.html
Trashy Moped Recordings http://www.trashymoped.com/
Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO http://www.foxtheatre.com/JabbaWeb/Index2.aspx
Red Rocks Information and Tickets http://www.tickco.com/venue_schedules/red_rock_amphitheater.htm�

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