BOTTLEMOTH drop ‘Even Us Ghosts.’ “I don’t think we get an answer…but we are talking and that’s something.”

OCCUPYING a precarious line betwixt the Mumford’s and prime stadium rock Doves, indie-folk five-piece BOTTLEMOTH have just released their limited-edition vinyl debut album, ‘Even Us Ghosts.’

Formed at the beginning of 2024, Bottlemoth have already performed alongside The Dangerous Summer, Cold Years, and Adult Leisure, and as debut albums go, ‘Even Us Ghosts’ is one of the finest of the year. Written and produced by the band, with additional recording by Joe Marsh at Orchard Studios, mixing was performed by Adrian Hall (Tori Amos, Bess Atwell, Nova Twins). 

“’Even Us Ghosts’ is a step in an unexpected direction for the band,” explained vocalist and lyricist, Ethan Proctor. “Initially I wanted to make a heavier sounding album, and what we created was something quite different to that initial vision. I was listening to lots of bands like The Wonder Years, the first Four Year Strong records and my favourite record by Manchester Orchestra, ‘Cope.’

“In all of them there is something special in the lyrics and guitar work. It’s crunchy, the voices are real and melancholic, and I wanted that in our sound. Rather than chase a sound I thought we wanted, we followed the ideas flowing, and leaning into the unknown took us somewhere we are really proud of. The songs feel honest, but with an energy that is less angsty, remaining hopeful and uplifting.

“The arrangements came together around laptops whilst producing and recording, rather than in a loud practice room which was a first for us. This new approach helped to be creative with different instrument pallets, additional layering and gave us time to properly share our ideas.”

Lyrically the album throws its net far and wide, covering heartbreak, navigating mental health and celebrating the love and friendships of those who matter most. 

“Like many of our friends, we’d become twenty somethings living with our families again, and there are a lot of complexities to that – feeling fortunate to have those people, but the contrasting feeling of becoming a burden,” added Proctor.

“The album title ‘Even Us Ghosts’ summarises the record well for just three words. Without speaking for the whole band, across my life I have felt like a ghost in a very loud world. I wouldn’t say I’m spiritual, but the comparison I find inspires a lot of topics for writing. In change and challenge, loneliness in the most crowded places, hoping to always be there for those you care for, the feeling you’re not enough. That last theme manifests a lot. I don’t think we get an answer to the questions of what is enough across our album, but we are talking and that’s something.”

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