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Caught a Ghost is a Soul/R&B project founded by LA based singer and producer Jesse Nolan. The name derives from an old expression, meaning “feeling the spirit,” referring to a kind of musical possession.

The band’s first album “Human Nature” (+1 Records) was released in 2014 to much acclaim, featured on Rolling Stone, La Blogotheque, Carson Daly, Interview magazine, Revolt TV and more. Human Nature had an impressive streak of TV placements, with the songs “No Sugar in My Coffee,” “Sleeping at Night,” and “Time Go” appearing in dozens of TV shows, including Boardwalk Empire, Shameless, Suits, Grey’s Anatomy, Blacklist, Vampire Diaries, Crashing, and others. The band composed original music for the film Dear White People, and has also been featured in several trailers and commercials, and the first fully cooperative video game “A Way Out,” by EA, which comes out in 2018. Their dark and explosive song “Can’t Let Go” is also the theme song for the hit show “Bosch,” on Amazon Prime.

Caught a Ghost’s music has been referred to by the LA Times as “A modern take on blue-eyed soul,” infusing the spirit of classic R&B/Soul music with influences from modern production (everything from 90s hip hop to contemporary artists like Flying Lotus, Flume and Kaytranada) Jesse Nolan grew up in Los Angeles, where he received a rich and eclectic musical education. His father sings in a motown/soul band, and made sure to expose him to as much music as possible, particularly instilling a love of R&B, Soul, Blues, and Rock n Roll. Though Caught a Ghost features a rotating cast of musicians, Nolan’s kindergarten classmate Stephen Edelstein is the backbone of the live band, and his Mitch Mitchell style of drumming infuses an immense amount of energy into the live show.

Caught a Ghost started as a studio project, and Nolan plays almost all the instruments on the albums, with the exception of the horns and drums. Obsessed with cinema, Nolan began directing his own music videos, and the band has received over 10 million hits on Youtube. The band became known in Los Angeles, and then nationally as an extremely energetic and charismatic live experience. Often featuring a live horn section, and interactive visuals, Caught a Ghost shows often feel like going to church. Nolan jokingly refers to the music as “secular gospel,” and that in performing he seeks to lose himself in connecting with the audience. Journalists have compared him to a preacher channeling some mysterious higher power.

Caught a Ghost has just completed the second album “Smoke,” due out in early 2018. The songs feature a signature soulfulness, but with the grittier, more bass driven sound. The tracks sound more expansive and cinematic on Smoke, evolving away from vintage revivalism, showcasing Nolan’s LA beat scene influences. Nolan’s visual aesthetic seems to have matured as well showing a strong film noir influence. As the project evolves, one thing remains constant, Caught a Ghost seeks to shake you out of your boredom. Whether through recordings, videos, or live shows, the aim is to make music to “raise the spirits.”

Right & Wrong

Caught A Ghost

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