#ghostmice

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Here’s the deal: if you haven’t listened to a record by Ghost Mice yet, do it. Now.

Ghost Mice is a two-piece folk-punk unit from Bloomington, Indiana, comprised of guitarist/vocalist Chris Clavin and violinist/vocalist Hannah Jones. Originally members of punk rock bands, the duo were sick of being slaves to large tour vans, heavy gear, and electricity. The switch to acoustic instrumentation coincided well with Clavin’s DIY Punk ethic and label Plan-It-X Records.

You might be aware of great folk-punk acts like Ramshackle Glory, Days N Daze, and Rail Yard Ghosts. And if you’re not, this genre is most notably defined by punk rhythms thrashed out on acoustic instrumentation. They substitute drums for washboards and replace reverb with capos, but it still maintains the high-energy, high-fun that punk rock is known for. However, DIY Punk features anarchistic tendencies more heavily which lends to eloquent lyrics that still fit thematically when the songs shift to light-hearted topics.

Either way you’re probably wondering “Why Ghost Mice? What makes them so special?” Not only is it because of their varied, personally-revealing sound (which is, of course, the main draw), but I find they embody DIY Punk better than any other artist.

There is something eternal about the youthful energy and relentless fighting spirit of punk music. Ghost Mice’s songs flit playfully from joie de vivre to societal angst. Their album Europe has two tracks back to back with vastly different sentiments. “Switzerland” has the almost adorable lyrics of “…came a herd of baby lambs/ I swear I must’ve taken a hundred pictures of them.” While “Italy” is narrated by a spurned speaker who proclaims, “We must destroy all empires at any cost.” Other records have songs like “$1,000 An Hour” that openly condemn war and the destruction corruption causes innocents.

Ghost Mice’s music channels the beauty and simplicity of guitar and violin to intertwine with each other like Clavin’s and Jones’s vocals. Although nasally and grating to some ears, Clavin’s vocals explode with emotion. Whether it’s the adventurous hope at the beginning of “England” or the reminiscent tones of “Figure 8,” Clavin’s feelings towards his songs come across clear as a bell.

None other than in “Albany” off of All We Got Is Each Other: The listener experiences the shock and disbelief of the phone call as Clavin recalls, “I played that message back again and again just hoping I heard it wrong somehow… Like a statue in the back seat, like a coffin in the grave, I sat frozen in purple rain.” Even with the distance of time, the pain of loss is apparent and in the baring of his soul, listeners can’t help but feel closer to Ghost Mice for it.

The actual composition of the records is as varied as the lyrical subject matters. From punk rock anthems, to mournful ballads, to the rollicking sea shanty that is “Celtic Sea,” Ghost Mice is able to experiment with a variety of genres while never betraying a sound that can truly be identified as their own..

Ghost Mice is the iconic DIY Punk group. It might be the liberation from electric instruments. Others would say it’s the fact that Clavin owns his record label and produces all of the music affordably on it. Some might even cite the $5 dollar shows and hand-made merch.

Me? I say it’s because they toured Europe on foot.

2005’s LP Europe is a recounting of when Clavin and Jones backpacked across Europe, playing shows, visiting fans, and generally seeing the sights. Each track is named after a stop they made on their journey and the record tells, chronologically, the events that transpired. The listeners join, in spirit, the adventure of seeing new sights, meeting new people, and communing with the animals. They also feel the chills of rain and desperation for finding shelter and a friendly face, as well as the joy when a windfall does come along.

Now what’s cooler than that?

Honestly, if you haven’t heard Ghost Mice yet, go listen. Here’s a link to Europe. Go on an adventure and let them know what you think.