A Quick Chat with CB Ghost

You’ve described the song as being about patience and self-realisation. What sparked 'All Good Things Take Time'?

Well, I have a few golden rules with songwriting. They gotta have a cool beat. A rhythm. One that is hopefully infectious. And a singable chorus. But you cannot always construct that from the get-go. I had a bit of a riff. And I like to use stream of consciousness in my lyrics. To surprise myself with phrasing and imagery or meaning. It's getting to know yourself but also wanting to have something to say. That started with the first line, “Let's not fight for the casino round” Which I like, it's passive, confusing, and not too revealing. There's a thing with life, where you might find yourself giving someone advice. Or just your two cents on something they're dealing with. And quite often you’re spouting what you're trying to absorb in your own life. Well, that’s what happens to me. Be positive or pull yourself up for your bad habits. And it certainly happened in this song. Live in the moment, give it time, let it breath. And give yourself space, to get better, to feel better. So, it's got self-realisation, but it's also got the good time element which I love. It's great song to play live with the band. It's got the beat. And it's got the chorus. And hey a bit of moothie, which is fun.

There’s a real foot-stomping energy to the track. Did you know early on that you wanted it to feel this big and anthemic?

100%. Super important. While, I like to be melancholy and honest to a fault. I really wanted this to be a banger. And have it be singable. Danceable. To the point where even the lonely punter at the back of the room can't stop their hips swaying. And hopefully come joins the crew in the mosh jumping and dancing.

Your sound brings surf, folk, rock and pop together. How would you describe where CB Ghost sits musically?

I suck at answering this question. But I can tell you it’s a combination of all those things. In two words maybe surf country. A new genre (like we need another one ha ha). If you like rock, folk, bit of pop or even country there’s no reason not to like it, especially if your body and heart moves to music. They’re simple songs – not overly complicated and certainly not pretentious or too serious. I love listening to guys like Gerry Cinnamon, The Beatles or DMA’s. All use the beat so well. Call us Folk-Rock or Surf Country – I’m okay with either or. Tunes are for all. No matter your musical preference, age, pronouns or where you come from and what you normally like to listen to. You’re welcome at our show - CB Ghost is for everyone.

You’ve already built a strong grassroots following across several states. What have you learned from playing to those audiences?

Always learning. Umm, winning the room. No matter where the gigs at. Being unknown to most we have advantage of that exciting period of proving ourselves and earning your ear. Down in Frankston or Wollongong -wherever. We treat every show as a big deal and go all in. And hopefully help people forget life's problems for a second and we can all get off our phones together in celebration. Laughing, crying, singing and dancing. Just get that jump up and down good turn vibe. I’ve learnt to soak it in and enjoy – super grateful. Travelling Australia and playing music is such a blast. I get depressed when there’s no shows for an extended period. That I do know.

You’ve had some strong international traction too. Does it surprise you where the music is connecting?

The humble answer is yes. But the fact is, I know I'm writing songs for a wider audience, so it doesn't completely surprise me. Receiving messages from people in America or Brazil for example and being able to directly message them back is a trip. Cool example was these three young guys in Virginia, in America sending me video of them having a barbecue on this beautiful night, drinking beers and listening to my song Hold Down Him. Being able to tell them how stoked I am and send them a video back is a real treat. So cool. I love meeting people and my awkwardness in social situations has improved, and I certainly love, finishing a show, not packing up straight away but going out to the merch area and talking to people. Can’t wait to do that overseas to. But that’ll come. Happy to be playing Australia and meeting fellow Aussies and learning about them and who they are and where they came from and how they ended up at our show.

What can we expect from the Easy Come EP?

Well, we're gonna finish the EP with Stuart Stuart back in Brisbane. And it's a real mission. We have a song that I wrote with Gem my keyboardist. And that's the first time we’ve written a song together. It's called Stay Golden and it's so great to have a shared song to record and release. One that the two of us will sing, We we’re listening to Horse with no name, and some classic seventies tunes we love at the time. It's got that almost yacht rock vibe. Catchy soft rock. There's another song called God Sent Parade which is just two chords but lyrically it's more convoluted and poetic than a lot of other stuff. Cros between Bob Dylan song and Tom Petty Groove. But there's also a short punk/surf/rock song called Beware of the Ghost. So the EP will have that mix of styles I like – blended. There’s a salty ballad that I wrote about an old mate of mine, an Englishman that lives near me called Keith Song. Gem played some amazing Elton John like piano on it. My biggest song from the first album is Hold Down Him, which is also a salty sea dog ballad. So wanted another for this EP. With full band it's still mega in an Elton John way. Which reminds me I have to go sing it for him and his wife before they leave us – they’re in their 90s. He works on his car nearly every day and is a real legend. From Sussex to Forresters Beach. Amazing. But I love the set live. All the shades will be there and quiet bits and super loud. Fuck this monotone stuff. I need the roller-coaster.