One of Gigslutz favourite nights has to be the brilliant Playhard. Next Wednesday promises to continue their form for belting nights with the UK live return of The Ghosts. Ahead of the show we caught up with Alex from the band for a little natter…

You had a pretty ethereal theme running through your first album – what’s happening this time? You still a miserable git or???  

I’m worse. There always more things to be miserable about. No, the last album was written in a very short time so the lyrics also came from a small pocket of time. This time i’ve had more time to write, so the songs are quite different lyrically in subject and style. There’s more about death this time too

You guys stormed SXSW last year – what was the weirdest thing that happened and what was the coolest?

SXSW was amazing. Best thing that can happen to a new band in my experience. We hired a house for a week and played a show everyday at different venues and lived in the sun. We got the bus into Austin every day where we’d always meet some crazy wonderful drunk. We met some girls with guns too which was a bit weird. Best thing though was playing to appreciative audiences. They really want to hear and enjoy new music. The people of Austin are also the friendliest people ever.

Any advice for artists doing the SXSW thing this year? 

Be prepared with business cards, CD’s and get as many unofficial shows as possible. The official shows are great but if you’re traveling from the UK you need to play more than one or two shows. There’s an unofficial SXSW facebook page where the venues advertise their events. Get on there and pester everyone for a gig.

Have you ever been tempted to write a song about a pet?

Yes! My dog features largely in one of my new songs which will be on the next album. He thinks he’s human.

It’s been nearly 10 months since you played live in London – where else have you been playing (Europe etc) and are you looking forward to featuring a couple new tunes?

We’ve been back to the states. Played a show in Washington recently and we’ve taken some time off to get the next album right. Our last London show was Headlining Dingwalls for Playhard so we’re excited to be with them again for our first show back.

Wednesday 12th February – Playhard presents The Ghosts.

Acoustic set, intimate, free entry show at The Lucky Pig.

A Playhard favourite, The Ghosts’ debut album, ‘The End’, has won international acclaim (and fans).

‘unnerving ability to write deliciously macarbre and compelling synth pop hits’ (NME).

‘Soaring and sublime synth pop’ (The Guardian).

‘The Ghosts’ formed when Alex Starling (Ou Est Le Swimming Pool) met New York trained jazz drummer Ian Palmer, and Canadian Keys/Violin player Rayna Ferner (Alan Pownall). The band are completed by Dan Whiffin and Alex Sharman. They are currently living and writing in a former music school where Elgar once  taught.

Wednesday 12th February will be the band’s first public outing of the year. It happens at central  London’s most decadent cocktail bar; The Lucky Pig, 5 Clipstone Street, London W1W 6BB.

psst! 5pm-8pm is Happy Hours drinks specials!