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Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with unsigned UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with unsigned Essex duo Ghosts of Men to find out more…

Who is in the duo?
Ads and Clegg, Ads does all the drumming, Clegg does all the other noises and the Singing. We write collaboratively, mainly because we like to say the word collaboratively. Collaboratively.

How did you meet?
Clegg asked a pal if he knew any drummers, and Ads was suggested to him, so we got together for a jam, and the rest is history. At this point GOM was a three piece. Stav, our former bassist was lost on a particularly frenzied trip to a farm shop just outside of Vange and never seen again. And then there was two…

Where are you from?
We are from Northish Essex near Colchester.

How did you come up with the name?
I (Clegg) sat and thought for two days what it should be, and the Name Phantasmes les Hombres came up, but I liked the English translation better, Ghosts of Men. It also describes us pretty well.

Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
(Clegg) Growing up, everything influenced me, from Hymns at school to my Mum and Dad’s records, then I was introduced to hip hop via my sister, and then Rock music by my brother.
(Ads) growing up, mainly blues rock and metal like Sabbath, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, then the early nineties Seattle sound really captivated me – nowadays I’d have to say anything and everything. We’re lucky that we have our own (what we think) unique (for the rock scene) sound, so personally I’m more influenced by the way a band performs, what their energy is like, how they craft a show and interact with fans or how they conduct themselves than trying to sound like them.

How would you describe your sound?
BIG. Energetic. (How would you describe it? Genuinely interested to know).

What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
Our latest release is called SAVIOUR. The thought behind this track came from a culmination of our shared experiences during poor mental health, past drug addiction and past relationships.
It explores the theme of co-dependency. Something that can seem totally normal whilst you’re in the throws of something powerful – love, addiction, depression but when viewed from the outside and scrutinised is laid bare and seen for exactly what it is.
It explores the phenomena of being placed on a pedestal, and viewed as a saviour, when really you know nothing more or can do nothing more than just keep your head above the water on a daily basis.

Clegg (guitars/vocals) most recently experienced this when he took some disadvantaged kids to India as part of his work. Some of the more uplifting lyrics were inspired by his experiences in a magical place, and the humbling magnitude of the position he was in, geographically and literally.

As with most of our songs, this is a tale of struggle between the dark and light sides of our natures. It is as positive as it is cynical.

What’s your local music scene like?
Our local music scene has got so much really great music going on, so diverse, everything from Grime to Psychobilly to EDM to Hair metal, and everything in between It’s really ace.

What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Haircuts. More releases…. EXHALE coming in the next few months, and hopefully there will be some shows to play.

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Blimey, Jack White, Fatboy Slim, Ghost, there would be loads, we generally say yes to everything and worry about it later, but if you’re organising it, we will start with those three, ta.

Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
Yes.

What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I (Clegg) once kicked the ankles clean off of a horse.
Ads doesn’t believe in Caravans.

You can find out more about Ghosts of Men via Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, Twitter or YouTube.