User:Miyukid/Locomotive Ghost

Locomotive Ghost
Locomotive Ghost was formed by Mike Buckley and Ben Nixon while they were attending Selkirk College’s music program in Nelson, BC. The friends instantly connected when a casual jam brought forth a mesmerizing rendition of Neil Young’s "Cortez the Killer". They played together off-and-on for nearly a year before focusing on the project and settling on a name (taken from an Allen Ginsberg poem). In 2010, Locomotive Ghost released their self-titled debut, which was followed soon after by 2011’s Close Your Eyes and Listen. The group relocated to Calgary later that same year, eventually adding drummer Mac McDougall and multi-instrumentalist Paul Orton. In April of 2014, Paul Orton decided to leave Locomotive Ghost to pursue other artistic endeavors, paving the way for Matt and Laura to join the band, adding their own unique qualities to the band's sound.

With two conventional albums under their belt, Locomotive Ghost sought a new creative approach to stimulate their next venture. After months of brainstorming, they conceptualized a set of 7” vinyl records exploring themes of life, love, and the passage of time, and employing “unique lyrics and sounds that resonate the sentiments of each season”(Beatroute Alberta). The financial challenge of multiple releases necessitated the group to stretch the limits of their do-it-yourself approach. From the home-studio recordings to the hand-painted record jackets, they completed every possible aspect of the project in house. The albums were released through a series of themed, multi-arts events between April 2013 and March 2014.

Locomotive Ghost has performed well over a hundred shows at local venues, municipal events and regional festivals throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan (and, according to Beatroute Alberta, “belong on any festival stage in Canada” ). The band's music has been played on a dozen Canadian radio stations and several international podcasts, including the popular show This Week In Science. In 2013, Locomotive Ghost were voted as regional finalists in CBC’s Searchlight contest, and were selected as finalists in the Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Competition and X92.9’s Xposure contest. In 2014, the group has already been featured in live performances on CKUA and CJSW, and has again been voted as regional finalists for CBC’s Searchlight contest. Locomotive Ghost will be touring in support of their Seasons project throughout the remainder of 2014.