Ghostbunny

It’s hard for me not to compare Ghostbunny’s new EP with the latest release from Growl. Both EPs see a quirky indie rock band dramatically improving the sound quality of its recordings, and infusing its rock music with a heavy jolt of 90s guitarism (perhaps taking a cue from Wavves’ 2013 album?). Ultimately, though, I think the comparison is unfair. Growl’s music pops out of the speaker with its bright, shiny melodies and irresistible guitar crunch. Ghostbunny is trying to be a darker affair.

Ghostbunny first hit my ears in 2011 with their initial EP (also self-titled), which featured a bunch of dark, bluesy, catchy indie rock numbers. Comparatively, this new record (released on February 6th), leaps from the speakers. The opening riff on “Love Shivers” crashes in like the wall of guitars on early Smashing Pumpkins records, but invokes an earnestness that Billy Corgan still couldn’t muster. Singer Nick Hanson maintains a collected coolness in his delivery while the chords branch out from grunge-y power chords to suggest some unironic emotion in the track.

It’s not a number that showcases the “dark disco” descriptor that they use in their band bio, however. That doesn’t arrive until the second track, “Hey Hipster,” which has the feel of one of the funkier Arctic Monkeys tracks, successfully balancing rock power and funky grooves in the way that the band advertises. “Don’t you dare compare me to the people you know,” warns Hanson in a sincere but non-threatening manner, leaving me leery about dropping names like “Arctic Monkeys” and “Smashing Pumpkins,” but he sounds like I could take him in a fight, and I mean the reference points in a complimentary, so I’m going to go ahead and risk it.



The remaining three songs on the EP leave the funk behind but deliver serviceable indie rock. Ghostbunny perform each song as if it is an anthem for the ages, and even when the songs themselves aren’t fantastic, the group’s genuine passion and energy elevates the tracks. Ghostbunny – the 2014 edition – feels like a reboot, leaving behind the grime of their early EP (in all of the good and bad ways) and forging a new path. I wish they had a bit more of the dance aspect that they seem to strive for, but they are a band still developing their sound and they’ve left us with at least a couple of gems on Ghostbunny. Plus they have one of the better band names in town and sick logo.

We’ll keep you posted on their upcoming shows on our forthcoming calendar feature. Stay tuned!

– Carter Delloro - Ovrld Magazine

It’s simply not in the nature of your humble Austin Music Minute maven to conveniently categorize music. Most bands find it useless to list split-hair genres or painstakingly detailed descriptions of the music they make. It gets a bit out of hand. But once in awhile, it’s a delight to see bands getting creative (and a bit silly), like Ghostbunny with this gem: “…fuzzy, bouncy dark disco rock.” It rocks, it bounces, dark and danceable…hello! Fair enough.

Ghostbunny first started playing together in 2011, which is when they released their first self-titled EP, a bit more heavy and on the garage-rock end of the spectrum, but with definite groove-laden pop leanings. Now the badass ‘Bunny takes a flying leap to 2014 and brings along a brand new EP, paired quite nicely with an official City of Austin declaration that states that today, February 6th, is Ghostbunny Day. Celebrations are in order!

That’s definitely the case at Ghostbunny’s EP release extravaganza tonight at Empire Control Room, 604 E. 7th St. And this is a line-up and a half, featuring Featherface, Antiques and The Sun Machine. Doors open at 7 p.m. Recommended. - KUTX Austin Music Minute

Ghostbunny- “Get Closer”
Yesterday we premiered Magna Carda’s entry in the annual Music Video Race, but theirs was just one of the many excellent clips made for the competition. One of the other standouts is local “dark disco” group Ghostbunny’s “Get Closer,” which functions like a dance-crazed update on Falling Down. The video has Ghostbunny frontman Nick Hanson quitting his job not with a string of profanities but with some fabulously fancy footwork, eventually exiting the office to take his dance gospel to the masses. He stops to turn the rhythm on a mugger, who is so flummoxed he hands over his own wallet. The track itself is hard for feet to ignore, so it’s easy to see how it would inspire people to ditch the drudgery of their day jobs and start a neverending dance party. - Ovrld Magazine

The band Ghostbunny performed live for us on Good Day Austin. - My Fox Austin - Good Day Austin

The city of Austin declared February 6, 2014, Ghostbunny Day. - City Of Austin