In the realm of the supernatural, the spirit world is not a monolith. In Japanese folklore, Yurei are the ghosts of the dead, tethered to this plane by unfinished business or unprocessed grief. Yokai are a collection of strange spirits, a sprawling class of supernatural beings that can be mischievous, monstrous, adorable or benevolent, occupying the liminal spaces between worlds. Poltergeists, from the German for “noisy ghost” (popularized by Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic) announce themselves through their actions in the physical realm, like slamming doors, flinging objects, opening cabinets and stacking chairs. And of course there’s possession, when we can be haunted by entities (cue The Exorcist), but also by ideas, stories, sounds, images, like when Kate Bush caught the final minutes of a Wuthering Heights adaptation on television and became “possessed” by Cathy’s ghost. She wrote the song version of “Wuthering Heights” in a single night, before she’d even finished the novel, singing from the perspective of the spirit itself, banging on the window, begging to be let in. In a fittingly eerie coincidence, Bush later discovered she shares a birthday with Emily Brontë, July 30, just 140 years apart.
Buddhism offers the notion of the hungry ghost. Known as preta in Sanskrit and gaki in Japanese, the hungry ghost is depicted with a cavernous belly and a throat thin as a needle, condemned to crave endlessly without ever being filled. Always hungry, never satisfied, a meta haunt of the digital age.
However, Ghostie is not that kind of ghost. She is a spirit all her own.
Born in Danville, California, but raised in Boise, Idaho, the self-described shoegaze rock siren spent her childhood haunting her own house, turning the living room into a stage whenever her parents left to run errands, disappearing for hours into the realm of daydreams, imagining herself performing for crowds. The only witness was her younger brother, eight years her junior. While babysitting him, she would record voice memos on an iPod Touch, singing karaoke versions of Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts,” Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and later BTS’s “Save Me.” He tried to tell their parents she could sing, but she refused to perform for anyone for years.
That was, until 2024. After weathering two toxic relationships nearly back to back, she transmuted her pain and found an unexpected confidence to express herself in a way that felt fully aligned with who she is, with no one left whispering in her ear about what she can’t do or who she shouldn’t be. She posted her first cover, the feedback was positive, and she took it as a sign that this was what she was meant to do all along.
We spoke with Ghostie about her music, influences, intentions and how her spectral sound uniquely satiates those who find her melodies.
Who is Ghostie, and where did the name come from?
Ghostie is partially an embodiment of the pain endured, then transmuted into catharsis, and partially the entity of the healed outcome, with everything I learn from and experience. I can’t fully remember how the name came about, but I started going by Ghostie around 2019. Around that era, my dad got me a custom silver Ghostie necklace that I still wear every day. Thanks, Dad!
What inspired you to start making music?
In hindsight, my whole life has naturally gravitated toward singing. When my parents would run errands, the house became my stage. I also struggled with maladaptive daydreaming. Regardless of where I was, I’d be imagining myself on stage performing for hours. It wasn’t a healthy coping mechanism, but talk about foreshadowing.
One of the feelings that inspired me to start making my own music was the realization that I finally had the confidence and the ability to express myself in a way that felt perfectly aligned with who I am. No longer allowing anyone to whisper in my ear telling me what I can’t do, or who I shouldn’t be. Everything fell into place when it was supposed to. Once I took the chance posting my first cover and received positive feedback, I took that as a sign that this was truly what I’m meant to do. I feel my best in all aspects when I’m working on music.
Who are some of your favorite musicians, and how did they influence your soundscape?
A few artists that helped shape my soundscape would be Deftones, Evanescence, Fleshwater, Alexis Munroe, and Maggie Lindemann. In terms of lyricism specifically, I think La Dispute and Touché Amoré made a tremendous impact on how I write.
I adore artists that combine ethereal vocals with heavier, more aggressive instrumentals. With some screams, too! The contrast between the harshness and the ethereal is fascinating because of how perfectly they blend, despite how opposite these sounds seem on the surface. Experimentation has been my best friend, but I found this combination fits best with my vocal range and how I personally resonate with music.
What has shaped your aesthetic? What artists, films, or philosophical territories inspire you?
I have a personal philosophy of transmuting the things I’ve been through into something that pushes me forward. I don’t like to hold tightly onto things that pull me down. Since energy cannot be created nor destroyed, I transform it into something that takes me out of my comfort zone. That directly involves my music, because I put these emotions into my songs so other people can recognize and process their own situations through them.
Brutalism is a foundational part of the equation. Adjacent to the architecture, my aesthetic focuses on a monochromatic palette and minimalistic design. When I’m promoting my songs, I’ll type the lyrics out in my computer’s notepad and post that. It may seem bland to some, but I find it aesthetically pleasing. Most photos I take are within concrete structures. Something about liminal spaces draws me in.
You’ve got an incredible, dry, self-aware humor in how you present yourself. Your Instagram bio references Shadow the Hedgehog. But your music feels spiritually earnest. How do you reconcile those two sides?
I love Shadow the Hedgehog, I resonate with him intensely! The most recent tattoo I got is a Shadow tattoo on my calf, actually. It’s so sick.
Most people in my life would describe me as a duality, and I agree. The music I make showcases the more serious, heavier parts of my psyche. Raw, brooding, and a bit grim at times. Music is my primary outlet for emotions that are hard for me to communicate otherwise. It can be difficult for me to open up about my deeper emotions in conversation unless I feel extremely safe.
I’m proud of my ability to shift between my lighter energy and my heavier energy. It’s a nice reminder that we’re all multifaceted. We can be introspective and full of whimsy, and these can coexist within one entity. People sometimes see my aesthetic and my music first and form an opinion of what I’m like without knowing me. The fun, energetic, sillier side of myself isn’t shown in my music, but when people talk with me, that’s usually the first thing they notice.
There’s something about the space you’re working in, heavy but ethereal, that feels like it satisfies rather than consumes. Unlike the hungry ghost that takes and takes and never feels full, your sound satiates. Is that what you’re reaching for?
I absolutely love how you described my sound, and I agree with that sentiment. My songs are meant to fill the cup of whoever is listening. If someone is listening to my tracks and they feel a sense of understanding, comfort, relief, or some kind of release of negative emotions, I’ve done something right. That translates into my personal life as well, because I enjoy encouraging people and supporting them wherever I can.
Looking back at your catalog, which tracks are your personal favorites?
This is a tough one, because there’s a part of me in all of my tracks. I’d choose “SPIT ME OUT,” “STAINS,” “THE PAST IS DEAD,” and “DISMANTLED.” I know they’ll forever resonate deeply within me, even though the situations they stemmed from are well past.
What feels different about what you’re making now?
There’s consistent improvement in my mixing skills. Since I’m an independent artist, I handle all the behind-the-scenes work primarily on my own, with occasional assistance from my creative friends and my partner. I’m so grateful for them. If you go back and listen to my older songs compared to the more current tracks, you can tell I’m getting the hang of it.
The lyricism is improving, too. People may not know this, but I studied linguistics in college. Reading, writing, and studying languages are some of my favorite hobbies. Poetry comes naturally, and I’m happy it can find a permanent home in my lyrics.
Hopefully my audience will continue to find catharsis in the music I create. Some of the older songs were written in a different headspace compared to where I’m at now. People can resonate with all, some, or one, depending on how they’re feeling. My songs are a safe space for anyone to know they aren’t alone, even if it feels like no one understands. I’ve been there, and sometimes I still feel like that.
What are you not willing to do? What would feel false or wrong, even if it meant reaching more people?
I’ll never use AI. I don’t support the use of AI. I also refuse to change my appearance, personality, or the music I create in order to purposefully be on trend. If what I’m creating naturally fits what’s trending, that’s cool. But even if it isn’t, I’ll still be creating songs and expressing myself in ways that feel authentic. My life path is focused on unapologetically showing up fully as myself in everything I do. I never wanna lose my authenticity for quick virality.
What scares you most about putting this work out into the world?
Vulnerability with a larger amount of people can feel scary at times. I’m slowly getting accustomed to it as a natural avoidant. I’m so excited to share my innermost emotions with others musically, but it comes with a tinge of nervousness. The voice of my younger self who was afraid to be perceived. Since I felt like a wallflower for the longest time, sometimes a part of my past self resurfaces, sees that I’m becoming more visible, and goes, “AAAAA!”
Meanwhile, my present self recognizes that the music I’m making resonates with both me and those who listen, which is a beautiful connection point. My past self is in the process of conquering the fear of vulnerability and perception, and for that, I’m proud of her.
What are your greatest hopes for the future?
Pursuing music for a lifetime. Being an artist is my main focus, and I desire it to be that way forever. The thought of performing shows in every state, and international tours in the future, fills me with determination. I appreciate all the support I continue to receive on this journey. Love y’all!
Where can SPIN readers find you and what’s next?
I’m GHOSTIE on all listening platforms, and I post a lot on Instagram (@ghostiegibson) and TikTok (@ghostieplasm). Currently I’m working on some new songs, and after I finish those, I’m hoping to start performing more shows. I’m also seeking a band to perform with, so if you know anyone who plays an instrument and wants to be part of Ghostie, you know where to find me. There might be a new music video coming in the next few months to go along with a new song. Keep an eye out!
And finally, do you believe in ghosts?
Oh, absolutely. I’m sensitive to the paranormal! When I was seven, I was in the living room playing on my DS, and every cabinet door on the entertainment center opened at the same time. More recently, in 2022, my mom, brother, and I were in the kitchen talking after he came home from school. Everything was completely normal until we heard an audible, deep growl from the living room. It’s an open floor plan, so we could see into the living room as it happened. Nothing was there.
My old apartment was haunted as well, but that’s a story for another time.
Ghostie can be found at https://www.bandlab.com/ghostiegibson
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