Jukebox the Ghost
Artist: Jukebox the Ghost
Hails From: D.C./Philadelphia
Musical Style: Indie Pop, Rock
For Fans of: Bens Fold Five, Vampire Weekend, They Might be Giants
Why you should check them out:
Hey kids, remember the 90’s? Remember when pop radio had a bunch of syrupy, sugary pop songs intended to sound like 1960’s pop? Remember when everyone got sick of flannel and just wanted to have a good time with some ultra cathy tunes that sounded effortlessly blissful? Well, Jukebox the Ghost certainly do and they’ve made it their mission to brighten the currently distorted trends in indie rock with quirky, piano driven, cuter-then-hell pop.
Background Check:
The three irreverently cheerful members of Jukebox the Ghost have been playing music together since meeting at George Washington University. Ben Thornewill on pianos, Tommy Siegel on guitars and drummer Jesse Kristen formed a band called The Sunday Mail before disbanding that moniker. Fortunatly for peppy piano fans everywhere, the three continued collaborating and formed Jukebox the Ghost in 2003.
Combining Nabokov and Captain Beefheart lyrics to come up with the quizzical title, JTG only revently released their first full-length, Let Live and Let Ghosts, in 2008. With songs like, “Good Day”, and adorable little ghost drawings (awe, so cute) JTG prove that optimistic happy songs can still creep under your skin and follow you for days on end.
One part Freddy Mercury, one part Bens Fold, Thornewill is certainly the centerpiece of this trio. His characteristically jovial approach to songwriting rejuvinated a D.C. scene more used to hardcore and handguns then cuddly hooks and bubbly baloons. Now that JTG has relocated to an equally grey Philly, the band are responsible for more than a few whistling patrons leaving venues before grabbing a late night cheesesteak. Maybe this infectious pop can turn a few smiles on while turning heads.
Where you can find them in cyberspace:
On Tour: