Perth trio Ghost Care have traded in their familiar sun-soaked summer sound for 3 minutes and 20 seconds of grunge, grit and black leather in ‘Part Time Living’. In an Alex Turner-esque pivot, Ghost Care showcase their versatility as musicians, tapping into grunge-tinged grooves that imbue the single with palpable power.
‘Part Time Living’ marks the first single since their release of hit ‘Bussell Hwy’ in March, which received significant Apple Music and Spotify editorial playlisting, as well as community radio support from Double J, triple j Unearthed, FBi, RTRFM, SYN, 2SER, and 4ZZZ to name a few. Beyond that the effortlessly commanding trio have two EP’s under their belt, countless music videos and accolades that attest to their ability.
In this single, lead singer Beau introduces us to a darker richness in his lyrics and timbre, tapping into the internal frustrations of his recent experience in a manipulative corporate environment.
“This song is from my experience in an organisation where I felt like I was being manipulated. I was trapped into feeling like I wasn’t fulfilling my true purpose if I was to leave, and initially I wasn’t strong enough to stand up for myself or face the issues around me. Instead, my response was to keep up appearances on the outside, but on the inside, I was changing and had become someone completely different. During that time, I was too busy thinking about others’ opinions of who I was and not enough about what I wanted. There were a lot of opinions about what I should do, and it honestly felt as though I was living half a life.” Beau, Ghost Care.
This punchier, darker and unbridled energy allows Ghost Care to get more experimental, showcasing their newfound comfort in their sound and their ability to meld meticulous harmonies. The drum solo plays delicately with tension and release whilst an expansive grungy guitar weaves in between the expressive percussion.
Nestled in between the muted fuzz of Beaus vocals the sprinkle of sizzling futuristic synths firmly root this song in the contemporary. It’s fresh and engaging, and is further proof that Ghost Care can explore and experiment without losing a grip on what makes them unique.
“In the studio, we had a goal to capture the edge and energy that this song has when we play live. We told our producer, Dave Parkin, that we wanted to make this song as gritty as we possibly could but still be Ghost Care. This is one of my most honest, personal, and emotional songs. I knew that it was important to get a vocal performance that was true to the story I was telling.” Beau, Ghost Care
Recorded at Blackbird studios in Perth, the song was then Produced and mixed by Dave Parkin (Spacey Jane, San Cisco, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets), a long-time collaborator of the band, who supported them through previous singles like Bussell Hwy and Shelley Park.
In true Ghost Care fashion, accompanying this release is a visually refined music video. The result showcases a nuanced narrative that sees Beau tap into his inner actor. It’s captivating, unique and amplifies the heavier lyrical and sonic undertones of the song. Within the dedicated team was director Saxon Wright, production designer Gabby Butler, production assistant Airlia Young, cinematographer Joe Henderson and Alex Blocher as Gaffer. For the band that is infamous for their music videos, this might just be their best one yet.
Looking forward, Ghost Care will hit the festival stage at RTRFM’s beloved ‘In The Pines’ festival on Sunday September 4th. The 29th year of the festival proves it a well-loved community favourite showcasing the best of local talent. Alongside Ghost Care, 19 other of WA’s best local talent will the stage including Siobhan Cotchin and Pretty Ugly’s.