ARCANE GHOSTS: MATH ROCK AND POP-PUNK IN AN ALT ROCK WORLD

Photo: Arcane Ghosts

THE TRIO BEHIND THE TUNES

Before we hit play, here’s a quick intro from the band themselves.

“Hey! We are Arcane Ghosts. We are a three-piece math rock/pop-punk/alt-rock band from Toronto, Canada. We create our own music to share our unique take on what music means to us. We love collaborating and writing the best songs we can. Our goal is to dive into intricate parts while crafting catchy melodies that will have you whistling all the way to our merch booth.”

BLINK, CHON AND BEYOND

Arcane Ghosts breaks down their Top8 musical influences.

We asked the band who’s shaped their sound over the years, and they didn’t disappoint. Rooted in pop-punk but with their own twist, Arcane Ghosts shared a mix of influences ranging from GREEN DAY, the most impactful band for members Steven and Spas, to CHON, whose technical and intricate writing style they really admire.

One of the first bands Arcane Ghosts mentioned to us was THE STORY SO FAR. “Parker and the band have a way with writing that allows them to connect with the audience. They control the scenery when you listen to their tracks. Whether it’s an upbeat song that makes you wanna dance or a sad track that evokes deep emotions, they nail it.”

Arcane Ghosts also admire DANCE GAVIN DANCE. They draw inspiration from guitarist Will Swan, saying, “Will Swan’s writing style influences Jason’s guitar playing and the creation of catchy melodies.” They respect how Dance Gavin Dance layers complex parts in their music, which directly influences how Arcane Ghosts approaches their own songwriting.

Another major influence is MOVEMENTS. The emotional depth of their sound resonates with Arcane Ghosts. “The sad emo elements of this band are super tasty and ear-catching. The vocals and simplicity of the instruments really enhance the emotional impact.”

And how could we forget BLINK-182? Arcane Ghosts says that the dual style of Tom and Mark’s vocals is a huge influence on members Jason and Steven and their co-writing.

Now we’re down to the final stretch. The last two acts on Arcane Ghosts’ Top8 list are none other than two bands that go hand-in-hand (and even tour together): MAYDAY PARADE and ALL TIME LOW.

How does Mayday Parade influence them? “This band specializes in touching the emo heartstrings through lyrics that resonate with everyone. Not to mention, their compositions are amazing, and they always deliver a polished record.”

On All Time Low, Arcane Ghosts mentions that they are one of vocalist/guitarist Jason’s favorite bands. It’s part of the reason he wanted to start a band in high school. “All Time Low are amazing writers. They embody the fun and joy of playing and writing music. They are super influential, and we feed off that energy.”

THEIR TOP8 SETS THE VIBE, THEIR E.P. SETS THE DEAL

In September, the band released their self-titled EP Arcane Ghosts.

“We tracked and recorded these songs with Dave Schiffman in Toronto, Canada. These songs best encapsulate the feelings and emotions we’ve felt over the years. From tracks like ‘Big Machine’ and ‘San Francisco,’ which relate to the struggles of the 9 to 5 grind, to songs like ‘Dream Catcher’ or ‘Curse,’ which explore different human emotions. We play on feelings of not being wanted or wanting to escape from certain spaces.”

How is this different? They're evolving.

"This EP captures all the elements that make our sound truly ours. We have hard-hitting drums, intricate guitar parts, and super catchy vocals for everyone to enjoy.”

WHAT'S NEXT FOR ARCANE GHOSTS?

So, what’s next for the band?

“We just finished our 6-city tour, hitting Windsor, Brantford, Toronto, Aylmer, Hamilton, and Montreal. We’re taking the winter to write more new music and see what the future holds.”

OUR TAKE?

We love the range Arcane Ghosts brings. They can go hard on this EP with tracks like “My Car” (one of our personal favorites), flex insane guitar work (that solo in “Curse” absolutely slaps), and still deliver super catchy vocals. “Saltwater” showcases the trio’s versatility perfectly, blending mellow moments with heavier hits all in one track. We also think you should dive into their earlier work, “Rooftops” from the Human Interference EP. It definitely makes our Top8.

With the band’s combined talent and drive, we’re sure they’ll only keep leveling up. We can’t wait to see what they do next!