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It’s been a long time coming. When Shane Ghostkeeper admits that he doesn’t think in songs, he thinks in concept albums, he’s speaking from years of experience. Almost 10 years ago, Ghostkeeper started writing songs, but it wasn’t until two years ago that he stumbled upon people and musicians who understood what he was trying to say, and, most importantly, who and what he was trying to pay tribute to.
“I spend a lot of time in interviews clarifying where I come from,” says Ghostkeeper. “I don’t just come from Paddle Prairie, High Level and Rocky Lane. I come from the north. All of it. This album is a representation, even a tribute to the children of the great northern muskeg.
“Everyone had a lot of expectations for me,” admits Ghostkeeper. “I guess there was some disappointment when I didn’t pursue an NHL career, so in a way, this album is a way for me to make my family and community proud. It’s a tribute to home. I don’t think there’s much pop-rock music out there that speaks about the Métis experience. I want to bring to light the relationships that I have — give people a fresh cultural perspective about where I’m from.”
Musically speaking, Ghostkeeper’s influences stem from his childhood; the trips to his grandparents’ farm listening to old-time music — Métis fiddlers, bluegrass songs and Hank Williams Sr. His mom listened to ’70s country — Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and CCR. Then he saw the 1986 movie Crossroads with Ralph Macchio, and he became obsessed with Robert Johnson and bluegrass was replaced with the blues.
Whatever the musical influences he admits to, one thing is certain: Ghostkeeper’s musical style is all his own. Teaching himself to play guitar when he was 15 and writing songs to stave off loneliness, the guitar was ultimately the beginning of the end. A promising hockey career was replaced with a six-string and a drum kit. Throughout this musical process, longtime collaborator and drummer Sarah Houle has never been very far away. In fact, Ghostkeeper rarely uses “I” — most times, it’s “we.”
“We’ve been doing this together for a long time,” admits Ghostkeeper. “Neither of us have played in bands before. We’re still pretty new at this, but we have a shared system; a process, even. We came to Calgary years ago on an invitation from Tom Horvath and Shane Breaker at Snag Records to use their studio. We didn’t know shit about recording then, but thought it’d be good to get something down.”
Things didn’t work out so well in the studio, but it certainly didn’t deter the duo from continuing to hone their craft. Maybe it wasn’t the right time, Ghostkeeper admits freely. Then they met Jay Crocker, and it became apparent they’d found the right fit. With Crocker at the helm and contributing on keys, lap steel and guitar, along with Scott Munro on bass, things came together.
“Jay has gone so far beyond any expectations we had,” says Ghostkeeper. “He’s been a huge contribution; Scott Munro as well. I had written these bass parts when I was 20, but Scott’s come in and really made the parts his own. The four of us really have a symbiotic relationship. We challenge each other.”
A relief in a way, as sometimes coming to the big city doesn’t have such a happy ending; musically or otherwise.
“We’re kids from the bush. We came to Calgary, and we stumbled upon people that not only understand us but are on the same page musically and have the same intent as us.”
Intent is something of the utmost importance to Ghostkeeper. “Right now, I’m working towards having the lifestyle that I want,” he says. “That means being able to make a living doing what I want to do — being a musician, touring, playing shows. You know, really learn how to live through music.”
