You can contact Brett Mitchell & the giant GHOST at: brettmitchell@brettmitchellmusic.com
or
Jan Hecht, Exclusive Booking for Brett Mitchell & the giant GHOST
(989) 430-8585
jan@brettmitchellmusic
www.myspace.com/janhecht.com
ABOUT Brett Mitchell & the giant GHOST
Date formed: 2005
Brett Mitchell: lead vocals and electric/acoustic guitar Tim Puckett: keyboard, lap steel, electric guitar, banjo and harmonica Bill Hall: bass Michael Cramton: percussion and vocal harmonies
Brett, born and raised in Midland, MI, taught himself to play drums in his teens. He drummed professionally in a variety of bands (including the popular band Gutbucket with Dave Kellan) until 2005. After honing his guitar and vocal skills, he recorded his debut cd, {Stereo}, playing most of the instruments and recording most of the vocals, as well as writing all the lyrics and music. Tim Puckett, of Clio, MI, purchased {Stereo} and came to a few solo shows to see if Brett would be interested in his support. Tim is an incredible multi-instrumentalist and a seasoned performer with a full resume of musical endeavors. He plays keys, lap steel, banjo, electric guitar, harmonica and more (you've never heard real harmonica playing until you've heard Tim). In June of 2006, Mike Cramton, a Saginaw, MI native, (of Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise fame) brought his congas and asked to sit in with Brett and Tim. He was immediately invited to join the band, especially after he mentioned he could sing vocal harmonies. Mike is a highly sought after drummer and sound man. Recently Bill Hall, also from Saginaw, MI, has come on board, with his amazing bass intuition, completing the fantastically tight and mesmerizing Brett Mitchell sound. Bill had to learn about 40 songs at breakneck speed to be ready for the first show. The versatility of this band is the reason Brett Mitchell's schedule is always full. They play Brett's originals and covers that have inspired him. They can play a songwriter show, a lounge, a rockin' night at the bar or a festival and the set list Brett creates is always fine tuned and perfect for the occasion. The new album, Small House, is nearly completed and it is expected to be released around the beginning of November 2007. |
. | 10 Questions Q: Describe your style of music, who do you sound like?
My original music is pop rock with a bit of folk mixed in. I think I am a cross between Jeff Tweedy, Elvis Costello and Ben Folds.
Q: What are your main musical influences? Wilco, Neil Young, Beatles, Brendan Benson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beck, Travis
Q: What/Who have been your biggest influences in life and on your lyrics? Jeff Tweedy, Bob Dylan, M. Ward, Joni Mitchell
Q: What's in your CD player? In my car is Ben Kweller's new cd but in the house, Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark is on my record player right now.
Q: What other local band would you pay to see play? Why?
I would pay to see Avery Set or the Esperantos or Andy Reed.
Q: How did you meet? In late 2005, after my debut cd, Stereo, dropped, I was approached by Clio musician, Tim Puckett, who had purchased it, offering keyboard and guitar support for shows. Tim learned about 35 songs in 3 weeks and we began to play around the tri-cities. Then in June of 2006, Mike Cramton brought his congas to a show and asked if he could sit in. We asked him to join the band that night, especially after we learned he brought vocal harmony skills on top of the professional percussion ability. After a year of playing together, Mike suggested we invite Bill Hall to join the band and Brett Mitchell & the giant GHOST was formed. Our manager, Jan Hecht, began booking shows that feature our mix of my originals, covers that you can dance to, and songs that I like to play that you might not normally hear in a bar. Our eclectic set list seems to be what sets us apart as a bar band.
Q: Is there an interesting story behind the name of your band? Who came up with the name?
Kind of, yes, I came up with the name and it has two meanings. The main idea was that most solo artists who go by their name have a backing band but no one ever knows who they are. Basically, the backing band never gets any recognition so it's a satirical remark that the giant GHOST is my band. It’s a way to keep my name in but also recognize these great musicians who support me. The second meaning is about the Holy Ghost. God’s there inspiring me by his spirit but you don’t ever see Him.
Q. Tell us about your first show together
Our first show as a full 4 piece band was at Robusto's in Grosse Pointe Woods. It was a good show. There's no dancing allowed in Grosse Pointe Woods so we played more of showcase.
Q. What have been the high and low points of the band so far?
High points have been some fun gigs. We recently played at Newport on the Levee in Kentucky, outdoors on a beautiful day with a great crowd, and then visited the aquarium which was amazing. Other high points were playing The Grand Hotel's Gatehouse on Mackinaw Island and Little River Casino in Manistee, The Ark and the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor and The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ. We had a great time at all those shows. I have to mention the photo shoot for the new album by world class photographer, Mitch Ranger (amazing), and the (almost) completion of my new album, Small House, also. Low points are high gas prices on the road and trying to eat organic/vegetarian with the band's schedule. You just don't find vegetarian restaurants open at 4 am very often. Another low point is venues that aren't willing to pay the band but to make a name for yourself you have to play these places but then you can't afford to eat that week.
Q: You are the first band to play a song on another planet for aliens that have never heard our music, you can play any song ever written, what would you play? Why?
I could think of a billion songs, this is too hard of a question. I would probably play a really powerful Beatles song like Let it Be. It sums up so many emotions in one song and it has such a beautiful melody.
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