Naarm Aboriginal-lead indiepunk band & NIMA nominated act (Best Emerging Talent) Chasing Ghosts, is proud to announce their new album, ’Therapy’ - the followup to the band’s critically acclaimed EP ‘Homelands’.
Produced by ARIA nominated producer Stevie Knight (Stand Atlantic, Redhook, Yours Truly, Sleeping With Sirens) and mixed by James Paul Wisner (Paramore, Underoath), Amnesia Everybody sees Chasing Ghosts belting out a catchy, up-tempo, indiepunk anthem with thought-provoking lyrics.
This track is dedicated to the loving memory of Sean ‘SK’ Kennedy. Jim and Sean met in 2006 when Sean was touring as bassist for I Killed The Prom Queen, sparking a dear friendship spanning nearly 20 years.
The weekend Sean passed, he came to watch Chasing Ghosts headline The Corner Hotel. Even against the harsh stagelights the band could see him; leaning against a pillar, watching and smiling. Jim and Sean yarned up as always, and then messaged till the early hours over the phone. Unknowingly, it would be the last time they spoke.
This song begs you to talk with your friends when you're down, to seek help, to remember all things come to pass, and that you’re never alone.
Vale Sean. SK forever.
Chamomile Tea is a tongue-in-cheek take on a time in my life that was very dark. It’s about struggling with insomnia from stress and anxiety, created by an endless stream of thoughts and coupled with self-medicating behaviours. From this I witnessed the emotional impact spill out into my personal and professional relationships.
"Bingayi" [UK/bing.eye/] is a word from my homeland, Thungutti Barri. It is generally used as a term for “brother,” specifically an older brother, and is linked to the cultural obligation and responsibility of guiding younger men toward appropriate behavior. This sense of responsibility and stewardship in holding other men accountable in our everyday lives is what My Bingayi champions.
The song was inspired by difficult conversations had with men about DV; men from all types of communities, from all walks of life. My Bingayi challenges them to take responsibility in breaking the cycle of intergenerational violence. It encourages men not to look the other way, but to instead confront it by addressing intergenerational trauma, seeking community support and professional help, and refusing to normalize violence or silence.
Ten Feet Tall was inspired by the first conversations with my psychologist as my life was turned upside down; the fallout of a failed relationship spurred me to turn to therapy for the first time. The sense of personal failure felt totally overwhelming, beating on myself harshly and unnecessarily. My insomnia had gotten worse, and I had finally decided therapy was a must. As a society, it is critical that we normalise mental health issues and encourage others to seek professional support when they’re struggling, and this song is my contribution to that mission.” - Jimmy Kyle, Chasing Ghosts
Anthropologist W.E.H. Stanner talked about “The Cult of Forgetfulness”, and “The Great Australian Silence” in reference to non-indigenous Australians and their failure to acknowledge not just the atrocities of our past, but in also choosing to not think about them at all. Instead, a different history arose in Australia - one of negative stereotypes that victim-blamed First Nations Peoples for our own marginalisation and systematic decimation.
This song references the stark realities and historical data of this country’s background; that 50% of Australian massacres that were led by colonial police and often murderous politicians…and yet it is these same perpetrators who have streets named in their honour, heritage listed graves, statues, electorates, towns, and cities; glorifying their names and misrepresenting their reputations for sanitised and palatable amended versions of history.
