Ghost Of The Mill
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2018 | SELF
Music
Press
How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Ghost of the Mill" and is there any meaning behind it?
GOTM was officially formed in 2018. The drummer, Joe Tecce, and bass player/singer, Rodger Felten, grew up together and began jamming a few years earlier. In 2018, JP Camo answered a Craig’s List ad, auditioned, and got the spot alongside guitarist, Scott Ulbin. Joe, Rodge and Scott had several songs written and the four of us immediately began writing more and gigging. In the spring of 2021, Scott moved on from the band and we brought in Greg Kinter who is an experienced guitarist, and who also happened to grow up with Joe and Rodge!
Joe and Rodge came up with the name. It’s a reference to our rehearsal space which is a former uniform mill built in the 1800’s. There are about 15 bands that rehearse out of the Mill. It’s a cool spot and we’ve seen the ghost…
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
We want to move people. You know that feeling you get when you hear a song from a new artist that speaks to you. It’s that feeling of passion, discovery and ownership. You immediately want to turn your friends on to this new band.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
We characterize it as guitar rock. Pure, straight ahead ass-kicking rock. Our musical roots are with those great bands from the ‘70’s, 80’s and 90’s. We don’t deny those roots and it’s part of our DNA.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Dreaming here…Alice Cooper, AIC, The Dead Daisey’s. Being more realistic – our goal is to open for national and regional acts who fit our genre. People like Ace Frehley, Derek St Holmes, etc.
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
Well we didn’t gig as much, but we did find a way to find outdoor shows. We used the time wisely to write and record which helped immensely.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
There are a ton of really good, new original acts out there. We know, because we share the stage with them; and that’s awesome! In some ways it’s never been easier to get your music out there, but it’s so damn hard to cut through. You’ve got to be consistent, persistent and you’ve got to be smart in your promotion. It can be done, but you have to work your ass off.
7. What’s the current music scene like locally there in Pennsylvania?
The original scene is alive and well. There are at least a dozen original bands that we have played with in Philly that are so talented. Some of these bands are young too, which is encouraging. While there aren’t a ton of clubs that support original music, they are out there and the scene is getting stronger.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
Haven’t seen a dime from them yet…probably never will. It’s a joke. But someone will come along and will create a new system – it happens every ten years. The idea of a sub-stack for musicians is a good one and a great way for bands to own their content and charge a fair price. Another move is coming, we can feel it.
9. What's next for Ghost of the Mill?
We are releasing four new tracks on all of the streaming channels beginning on Friday, August 5th. All of our time now is devoted to making sure we take advantage of this and promote ourselves the right way. Simultaneously, we are booking shows for the fall – looking to play small theaters as well as those clubs that have been our home base for the past four years.
10. Any shoutouts?
Big shout out to the Ghost Tribe who have supported since day 1. They are loud and proud and it is awesome to have their support. Wayne Becker of Westwires Recording USA. Wanye recorded, produced and mastered our tracks. He’s so talented and has great ideas. Juniper Street Consulting – Matt Dietrich, Michael Doyle, Gordon Kender and Vic Taborelli, who handle our social media. Mike Volz – Mike shot and produced our videos – great dude. He was with us in the very beginning. - FTD Entertainment
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Ghost Of The Mill is Guitar Rock Personified! Their quest is clear and their formula of Les Pauls & Marshalls, bolstered by a ground-shaking rhythm section is time tested.
GOTM has established a strong reputation as an original band on the Philadelphia rock circuit. Over the past few years, they have opened for Crack The Sky at the Ardmore Music Hall, Angel and Liliac at the Sellersville Theater, legendary British Metal Band, Raven, Roxy Blue to name a few. Their quest has taken them from their home base in Philly to the fabled Bitter End in NYC to Atlantic City, Wilmington, Baltimore, and the Lehigh Valley. No stage is too big or too small and they bring it every performance.
The members of GOTM grew up in the same era and have the same influences from a time when Rock was rawer - when it came directly from the heart - when only the instruments did the talking. Ghost Of The Mill is forging a renaissance of a more genuine musical expression. The band is not trying to sound like anyone else, though the members don't deny their influences rooted deep within their bones. You'll hear it in the band's recordings and witness it onstage during live performances (some ghostly echoes).
Ghost of the Mill has released seven songs songs on Spotify and all streaming channels. They are back in the studio now with plans to release five new tracks in 2024.
You can also catch them playing at the best theaters, clubs and dive bars in the Mid-Atlantic If you get the chance to see them live, don't pass it up. You'll be guaranteed a bone-shaking, ass-kicking blast of a time!
"GOTM is classic, classic rock. Raw, powerful, and well-written tracks. Strong production. Great album rock and definitely ready for prime time. well done." -GigRoster
"Great stuff! So many of today's metal and hard rock bands seem obsessed with creating with some weird new subgenre -- death/doom/black/melodic/symphonic blah blah blah. It's great to hear somebody just playing classic hard rock and playing it as you do!” - Tinnetist
Band Members
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