Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Binghi Ghost

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

Going thru my parents record crates at a young age, maybe 4 or 5, and being mesmerized by the Peter Tosh ‘Bush Doctor’ album cover where he is dancing in front of a big fire, dreadlocks flashing everywhere….then my parents would put on the album and the sound was just so…rich.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

1stly, music was always playing in the house from my parents. Then I won a school talent show performing American rapper Curtis Blow’s ‘Basketball’ song, had backup singers and everything. Then making impromptu beats on the school desk with a pencil and my bare knuckles. As I got older, around age 12 or 13, i would rewrite the lyrics to my favorite songs and recite the lyrics until i knew the song by heart, word for word. Shabba Ranks’ 1991 tune ‘build bridges instead’ & Public Enemy’s ‘Fight The Power’’ was on repeat in my head.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

Recording lots of songs became too easy but releasing them properly, thru the new digital streaming gate keepers and not on record or CD was the harder part. I wanted to release all new music. Consistently. So I and my team set out on a journey of recording, mixing, mastering and releasing monthly+/- singles. This is 2nd year straight of releasing 1 new song about every 4-6 weeks.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before? A rough around the edges, ragga ragga sound that takes influence from Foundation roots, Dancehall, Soca, born out of a vibrant upbringing in the West Indies.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

That the empty space between lyrics is as importsant as the lyrics themselves.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

Protools. Pen. Paper. Sure SM7B microphone.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Luv Fyah: De Yah With Jah

Vaughn Benjamin: Kings of Goth

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

All the struggles, all the joys and pains are the seasonings for the pot. Also, growing up in the West Indies in St. Croix, USVI, at the exact time Vaughn Benjamin, Army, Pressure, Batch, Ras Attitude, Bamboo Station and VI reggae was blossoming really set the pace for my influences within this music space.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

Being positive. Having confidence in yourself. Staying focused. Making good decisions. Keeping fit and mentally strong. Loving your life and also having fun, celebrating along the way.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

The emotional response you have to music is what all other art aspires to match.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

Main stage, St. Croix Xmas carnival.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Vaughn Benjamin. We knew each other from St. Croix but he didnt know how indellible a mark he left on me as an artist. Or maybe he did! Would have loved to record music with him.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)