Check out our exclusive interview with Emo-Trap Rock Love Ghost’s front man Finnegan Bell.
LOVE GHOST combines live guitars, bass and drums with trap 808 beats and electronic elements. Their music crawls into a space between ethereal grunge and lo-fi bedroom hip-hop punctuated by emotional delivery, airy hooks, and serious musicianship.
The band recently returned from the iconic Rockpalast festival in Germany, following in the footsteps of Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, R.E.M and many others. They have toured extensively, playing shows in major cities like London, Prague, Hamburg, Tokyo, Osaka, Quito, Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
Follow Love Ghost @loveghost_official
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I’m uncomfortable, spacey, and passionate.
How did you get started in the business?
It was always my dream, so from a young age (around 12) I just started posting music on YouTube and SoundCloud. Then I started performing wherever I could, at random parties, at open houses or just playing acoustic guitar at random coffee stops. I started going to shows and making connections there and grew a following online.
How has this changed your life?
For me, it’s night and day. I was an anxious, insecure, and damaged kid, but through Love Ghost, I’m now able to connect with people that are going through similar issues. Honestly, I see myself in so many of my fans and supporters.
We’re sure you have been asked this a million times but how did you get into the industry?
Honestly, I think I was just at the right place at the right time. Love Ghost started to gain a little bit of traction during the pandemic for our song “I’ll be fine”. It got 2 million views on YouTube.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Emotional, Twisted, and Genre-Bending.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I was influenced by Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Deftones, Eminem, Linkin Park, and Juice Wrld to name a few. And I started making music because these artists helped me feel less alone when I was younger and I wanted to give that sense of hope to others. I started to just feel at home writing music and writing music with others.
Do you play any instrument?
Yes, I play Guitar and Piano.
Do you ever get nervous?
ALL THE TIME. Lol, I have awful anxiety. I’m learning to live with it tho, though I have to do things every day such as meditating, eating healthily, and getting some sunlight. I know it sounds basic and stupid, but it does help.
Tell us about your single “Big Dog?”
Oh Hell yeah, that’s our new hard rock song, it’s all about standing up for yourself and knowing your worth. We wrote it at 2 AM around New Year and the heat broke so it was freezing in our studio.
What’s the story behind the song?
Big Dog is an ode to my dog Slash that recently passed away. But instead of writing a sad song, I wanted to write a badass anthem filled with strength. He was a big, brave 150 lb dog and I felt his spirit when we were writing this song. He wasn’t afraid of anything and I wanted to write a song that felt that way.
Now tell us about your performance at the iconic Rockpalast festival in Germany and you’re touring in big cities like London, Prague, Hamburg, Tokyo, Osaka, Quito, and Dublin?
That’s amazing! Hell yeah, traveling is so great for the soul and it was an amazing experience to meet our supporters/friends from all over the world. People had taken 14-hour train rides to see us at some of the shows, and someone got a tattoo dedicated to one of our songs. Each city and culture was very different but they were all beautiful in their own right. One memory that stuck with me was playing in London and seeing a big crowd singing my lyrics for the first time ever. It really moved me.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
As cool as numbers are and it is extremely exciting to have songs hit a million streams or videos hit a million views, I believe that it isn’t the best part of this journey. The most rewarding part of making music, especially the emo, mental health-themed songs that Love Ghost creates is the effect that I’ve seen it have on our supporters. When I get DM’s from kids in Ukraine or the Middle East saying that Love Ghost’s music soothes their anxiety during the bombings it warms my heart. When I meet a disabled fan that says that my songs make them feel like someone finally understands them, is when I’m reminded that I can’t quit making music despite how hard it gets. That’s the real shit, that’s what doesn’t have a price.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
The Anarchist’s Cookbook. Just kidding, but I’d recommend The Alchemist or The 4 Agreements, There is lots of wisdom in those two, for sure.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
Resilience is the greatest lesson I’ve learned so far. That and Empathy for others and myself.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
I would tell my younger self to work harder and to try to imagine what music will sound like in the future. If you can always stay one step ahead then you’re in great shape.
How would your best friend describe you?
Most of my friends say that I’m crazy but they also say that I’m very compassionate and understanding.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“The odd one out”. It would be a dramedy with supernatural elements. I’m very imaginative and for most of my life, I felt like I was on the outside looking in.
What’s next for LOVE GHOST in 2022?
We are dropping 2 collab EPs and an album this year. We will also be going on 3 more tours, so keep your eyes peeled for a show near you.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I love all fruit, but I also really love lettuce. I’ll literally just eat straight-up lettuce, I’m the weirdest dude ever. HAHAHA.
And your favorite cheat food?
Twinkies and Slurpees. Going to 7/11 at 2 AM to get Twinkies and a Slurpee in the rain just hit differently.
How would you explain your fashion style?
It’s a hodgepodge of different styles, kind of like our music. I’d say my fashion sense is Edgy, Grunge, and emo, but honestly I just wear the clothes that I feel like expresses my emotions. If I’m feeling bold and reckless I might wear a tank top with a chain to show off my tattoos, but if I’m feeling more introverted and reflective, then I’ll wear a baggy hoodie with baggy Jeans and sunglasses.
What is your definition of happiness?
Freedom is my definition of happiness. Knowing who you are and being able to do what you want and live life on your terms is true happiness in my eyes.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I have a list, I’d love to meet Elton John. But I’d also love to meet Van Gough or Hunter S. Thompson. I just want to meet people that are super creative and eclectic. Those are the types of people that make me feel accepted.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
I’d go to the Amazon River and I’d go with Helena Bonham Carter.
Best advice ever given?
The best advice that was ever given to me was no one will save you. What I mean by that is no one is going to come out of the sky and make your dreams happen for you. It is up to you and your work ethic to get it done. Eventually, by raising your vibrations, you’ll attract powerful people that can help you, but all the steps to getting there are within your power.
Do you support any charity?
Yes, Love Ghost used to run a charity drive in Skid Row and we’ll probably start doing that again soon. There are some other dope ones that I support as well such as Last Chance for Animals (an organization that fights for animal rights), MusiCares (an organization that helps musicians with addictions), and the Middle East Children’s Association (they help refugees affected by violence).
Where do you see yourself and your career 5 years from now?
I hope that the Love Ghost brand just expands into many more universes, including Film, TV, Fashion, and maybe even Anime.
Favorite song? Why?
At the moment it might honestly be After Dark. It’s been stuck in my head for weeks.
What do you think of Social Media?
I mean it’s a great tool for getting yourself out there, but It’s hard for someone like me who has mental health issues to always be on it, 24/7.
Where we can follow you?
@loveghost_official on Instagram, and for every other platform just look up Love Ghost and we should come up.
Book: The Basketball Diaries
Quote: “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.”
Movie: Donnie Darko or Place Beyond the Pines
Tv Series: Love, Death & Robots
Favorite Food: Salad
Travel Destination: Costa Rica
Sports Team: Anything Los Angeles. Rams, Kings, Lakers, Dodgers.
