When most people hear the words “caught a ghost,” the first thing that comes to mind is usually not an underground band with a soulful sound. However, this new band is beginning to make a name for itself. Caught a Ghost just released their first EP earlier this year. They just set off on their first tour as well. The name comes from an old blues saying that one would tell a performer if they did a good job after a show.
Los Angeles native Jessie Nolan leads the band. He is a singer and songwriter who performs a variety of activities during his show.
He not only sings but also plays the secondary bass and guitar. Jessie and singer Tessa Thompson showed great chemistry on stage as they danced together and sang along with one another. Other members of the band included a drummer, a keyboardist and a saxophone player. On their EP, the band also has a three- piece trumpet set in their songs. Their EP features songs such as “Sleeping at Night” and “No Sugar in my Coffee.” Some of these you may have heard on shows like “Boardwalk Empire” or “Suits.” Nolan was especially excited to be featured on “Boardwalk Empire” because that is “one of [his] favorite shows,” he said in an interview.
The band has a very unique sound to their music. They give a blues edge to soft rock. After listening to their album or watching their live performance, you will feel like you just walked out of a jazz club from the Roaring 20s. Their sound is very energetic and makes you want to dance the night away. “This sound came very organically,” Nolan said. One of his largest musical influences for some of his songs is Chuck Lewis.
It is very important for Nolan to keep in touch with his fans. The band is not very big, so he likes to spend time replying to fans and listening to their comments. He said “it is important to stay in tune with the fans; no matter what level you are at.” Many musicians do not take the time to listen to their fans. The band also took the time to come out after the show and talk to the audience members. They were willing to answer questions and take pictures; they seemed to genuinely care about their fans.
Although they may not be very popular now, Caught a Ghost is sure to be a huge success. With loyal fans and a unique sound, they have the ability to become quite popular very soon. They will be releasing their first album in early 2014. It will feature songs from their EP as well as many new songs. You can find them on iTunes or sign up for free downloads on their website www.caughtaghost.com.