Newborn Ghost: “We Want People to Feel Something”
After opening for Xeno & Oaklander and releasing their new single Life of the Party, Newborn Ghost continues to establish itself as one of the most compelling acts within dark electronic and post-punk. In this interview, Bela, Everrett, and Josh talk about the process behind their latest track, the intensity of their live shows, and what’s coming next.
“Life of the Party” has a special energy. How was this song born?
Bela: 2024 has been a strange year for us on a personal level. Life of the Party is partly about the relationship with substance abuse and self-destruction. Sometimes you want to be the life of the party, but at the same time you’re destroying yourself. It’s a reflection on that breaking point where you tell yourself, “I don’t want to die like this.” It’s a dark song, but very personal.
The percussion on this track is powerful and almost hypnotic. What was the production approach?
Everrett: For this track I experimented more with sampling. I recorded sounds of chains, frying pans, and other objects you might find in a hardware store. I started with the percussion because rhythm is usually the hardest part for me, so I build the drums first and construct everything from there. I was also inspired by a beat I heard on Instagram. I don’t remember exactly which one, but I thought, “This sounds good,” and adapted it to our way of working.
Bela: Yes, I always ask Ev for something more danceable, and he tries to translate that into the structure. I think that’s why Life of the Party has an EBM feel, with a rhythm that slightly recalls “In Sympathy” by Ministry. I wanted the percussion to have variety and weight.
Opening for Xeno & Oaklander is a big step. How was the experience for Newborn Ghost?
Ev: It was an important show for us. We had a concert in August/September that didn’t go as well as we wanted, so we decided to prepare more thoroughly. We rehearsed a lot to make sure the execution was solid.
Bela: And they’re super nice. I’ve followed them since 2017 and saw them live in Philadelphia back then. They’re a reference in minimal synth, and sharing the stage with them was incredible. It also allowed us to reach a new audience, which is always positive.
Your sound has a cinematic atmosphere, but your live shows are raw and intense. How do you translate that studio energy to the stage?
Ev: Thank you, that’s a compliment. The idea is that the recordings stay faithful to what we do live. In the studio we don’t overload the tracks. Usually there’s a main synth, maybe an arpeggio, and not too many vocal or guitar layers. That way, when we bring the songs to the stage, they sound natural without relying heavily on backing tracks.
Bela: The energy of the moment plays a big role too. I don’t want to stand on stage like a statue. I need to interact with the audience, provoke, make eye contact. Each song carries its own emotion, and that comes through live.
Josh, the live bass has a key role. What’s your approach?
Josh: I like to keep it simple in execution but well structured in preparation. I use a multi-effects pedal with three settings: a softer distortion for tracks from the first album, a heavier one for songs like “Christ,” and a third more atmospheric setting with flanger. I also prefer playing with a wireless system so I have freedom to move on stage.
With each show, some venues start feeling small. How has that evolution been?
Bela: We love playing small venues because there’s more connection with the audience. I like seeing people’s faces, stepping down from the stage, interacting. At Sala Vol, for example, the stage was higher and I felt like I couldn’t look directly at people, but the sound was amazing and made up for it.
“Life of the Party” is out now. What’s next for Newborn Ghost?
Bela: Besides the single, we’re releasing an EP in collaboration with Carmilla Sioux, producer and DJ from Barcelona. It’s four tracks, mixed and mastered by Nightcrawler, with remixes by We Love Dolce Vita and Filmmaker. It’s more techno and EBM oriented, different from what we usually do, but we love how it sounds.
We also have shows in Barcelona and Madrid. On April 25 and 26 we’ll be at the first edition of Other Voices Night, alongside Aus Tears and Dunkelwald, and we’ll open for Plastic Noir in Madrid. And there’s another collaboration on the way… but we can’t say anything yet. (laughs)
Final question: does each of you have a favorite song in the live set?
Josh: I’d say “Christ” and “Mary.” “Mary” is slower but carries a lot of weight. And now I really enjoy playing Life of the Party too, it has great dynamics.
Bela: For me it depends on the moment. But above all, we want people to feel something when they see us live. If we achieve that, then we’re doing things right.
Upcoming Shows
📅 April 25 – Barcelona (Other Voices Night)
📅 April 26 – Madrid (Other Voices Night)
📅 + Upcoming shows with Plastic Noir and more to be announced