Florida-based progressive/alternative rock band Ghosts of Tallahassee recently unveiled Sleep, a two-track single that serves as a prelude to their forthcoming full-length album. With a rich blend of organic songwriting, personal challenges, and a renewed lineup, the band is moving forward with a strengthened vision. In this exclusive Progotronics 51 special interview, they open up about the creative process behind Sleep, their influences, and what lies ahead.
A Teaser for the Future
For Ghosts of Tallahassee, Sleep represents more than just another release—it’s a glimpse into what’s to come. “We feel good about it,” the band says. “Sleep is meant to be a kind of ‘teaser’ for our upcoming LP, which will be dropping sometime in April. The creative process was very similar to our previous EP, Phantom Memory, with one of us coming up with a rhythm or melody, and then together adding various elements.”
However, the journey to Sleep wasn’t without obstacles. The band experienced a family tragedy around the time of Phantom Memory’s release in November 2024, a moment that nearly ended their collaboration. “Being that three of us are related, it took an outside perspective to get us back on speaking terms,” they share. “In turn, we have two new bandmates—Josh and Sarah.”
The Evolution of Sound
When it comes to crafting their music, Ghosts of Tallahassee favor an organic approach. “The vast majority of our songs evolve naturally,” they explain. “One of us comes up with something small, then sends it to another—either through email or from one phone to another. Over time, it either comes to fruition or becomes something else entirely. When we have the opportunity, that evolution happens in real-time during jam sessions.” Lyrically, Sleep delves into the theme of lucid dreaming, adding an ethereal layer to the band’s exploration.
Recording the EP followed a similarly decentralized method, as the band members are often physically apart. “Since we spend a lot of time separated, our process relies heavily on recording ideas on our phones first,” says bassist Aaron. “I usually record bass and drums roughly, then send it out to everyone else. Once all the ingredients are added, we smooth it out in the studio.”
Inspirations and the Alternative Rock Scene
When asked about their musical influences, the band finds it difficult to pinpoint just a few. “That’s a tough question because we feel inspired by such a wide variety of music,” they admit. “The eclectic nature of that variety comes out in our music, and we leave it up to the listeners to decide what they hear in our sound.”
As for their place in the alternative rock scene, the band takes a broad perspective. “Honestly, there is so much good music out there, it’s hard to keep track sometimes. But we make music for ourselves, not to fit into a particular genre. If someone likes it and listens—awesome!”
The Role of Technology and Music’s Deeper Purpose
In a world where technology has transformed the music industry, Ghosts of Tallahassee fully embrace its benefits. “It’s awesome,” they say. “Technology has made things that were nearly impossible in the past just standard operating procedure nowadays—especially in our case, virtual jamming across hundreds of miles.”
Beyond just being music, the band believes in the emotional and conceptual depth of their work. “To us, music is the language of the soul,” they express. “We’ve always been intrigued by concept albums—telling a story through music. Our first EP was meant to be a full-length concept album, but due to the tragedy we faced, half of it was scrapped. Hopefully, in the future, we can revisit it.”
Favorite Albums and What’s Next
As music fans themselves, each band member has a record that has left a lasting impression:
- Sarah: Birds of My Neighborhood – Innocence Mission
- Josh: Slanted and Enchanted – Pavement
- Tommy: Profound Mysteries – Röyksopp
- Timmy: Kid A – Radiohead
- Aaron: Turn on the Bright Lights – Interpol
Looking ahead, Ghosts of Tallahassee are fully focused on finishing their upcoming full-length album. “Right now, we’re putting the finishing touches on it, and then we’ll release it. After that, we hope to get out there and play some live shows.”
With Sleep setting the stage for what’s to come, fans of progressive and alternative rock should keep an eye on Ghosts of Tallahassee as they continue to evolve, create, and redefine their sound.
Sleep is out now and is available on Bandcamp. Follow Ghosts of Tallahassee on Facebook.
