Chasing Ghosts Open Up About Therapy in New Track 'Ten Feet Tall'
I'm constantly dumbfounded by the sheer talent waiting to be uncovered in Australia and Chasing Ghosts have been a pleasure to watch rise over the years. With each release, we get a glimpse of a new side of frontman Jimmy Kyle, as he continues to bare his soul with important stories from both his Indigenous heritage and his own personal journey through life.
Today Chasing Ghosts presents us with new track 'Ten Feet Tall' - one which takes a look at the leading man's experiences with therapy and seeking help. The instrumentals enhance this number, which finds Kyle showcasing a vulnerable side as he recounts his journey through music, made even more impactful by the full backing band - which you'll be able to witness for yourself on the upcoming Amnesia Everybody Tour.
We invited Jimmy to take us behind the music and shed light on his mental health struggles in the hope that someone reading may be moved by his words and be encouraged to seek help for themselves. It ain't weak to speak, and in doing so, helps you become a better version of yourself.
Jimmy, as always, we're captivated by your storytelling and the visuals that coincide with the release. Tell us the inspiration behind this new song and why you went with director Ben Heidrich to bring the vision to life.
'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.
A high energy track like 'Ten Feet Tall' called for a impassioned high energy clip. The vision was to subtly depict an internal conflict between these two personas of myself, the old me and the new me, the ego and the evolved, the self-hatred and the cathodic expression of overcoming self-sabotage expressed as a literal conflict with myself.
I had seen Ben Heidrich’s previous work with friends Make Them Suffer and thought his sense of cinematography had this rich timeless appeal. Ben’s an absolute legend to collaborate with and we're stoked to share this next chapter with you
Conversations around mental health have evolved and now, more than ever, musicians and listeners are connected on a shared level of catharsis. What's something you learned about yourself in the healing or writing process that you can pass on to others on a similar path?
We suffer in our mind far more than we ever will in reality. We imagine anxiously the worst-case scenarios, not the most likely case scenarios. We beat ourselves up much more than we would ever judge those we love and care about. The Voice in your head is not allowed to beat you up, it must be your best friend, you must gatekeep these thoughts and not indulge them by rolling around and ruminating in them. You can literally stop it and say “No, you’re my best friend, you’re on my side, I’m going to be kind and gentle with myself like I would to my friends,” practicing positive self-talk is vital. Self-accountability is still king but that’s not the same as being cruel with yourself, all the judging isn’t always helpful.
Being kind with yourself allows you to be kind to others.
We all have those songs that saved our life... I'm interested to hear what one of your go-to songs is for emotional connection and reliability and why it stuck with you after all this time.
To be honest I don’t think I have one or even a handful, but kind of, I probably pick up the guitar and write one myself. When I’m depressed which can often be in the mornings mainly due to a lack of sleep as I’ve struggled with insomnia for at least 15 years, it can contribute to depression and anxiety in the morning. So, my guilty pleasure is to listen to Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ and Pharrell Williams ‘Happy’ in the shower and try make myself dance, sing and change my disposition...
Lame I know, but it’s my go-to for sure, I follow that up with Buena Vista Social Club, a nicotine patch and coffee and it starts to mellow. When I’m thinking of how much I love my partner, Denni, I play 'The Scientist' by Coldplay, when I’m really melancholy and want to roll around in my feels it's Saosin’s ‘You’re Not Alone'. Now I think of it there is a few! I’m really oversharing now haha
'Ten Feet Tall' brings the full band experience to the forefront - one of THE essential Chasing Ghosts punk rock tracks - can we expect the full band treatment on the upcoming tour and are there any surprises in store?
Chasing Ghosts in its current incarnation is a punk rock band undoubtedly and yes on this tour we’re bringing the ever-evolving sound to the audience with a full band.
We’ve always found labelling the band secondary to writing what comes out, for each release it’s been a concept-by-concept approach. We create songs foremost as artists and labels are for everyone else to figure out. Punk Rock, Hardcore, Metal to Acoustic, Alt-Country, Folk are all in our DNA, we are musicians, artists, storytellers, educators and some would call me an activist, although I buck the label... at the moment I’ve got shit to say and this felt like the right format to say it, well shout it actually!
As for surprises, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it! I think the next 12 months will be full of surprises
Interview by Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul
Catch Chasing Ghosts on their Amnesia Everybody Tour next week
Chasing Ghosts - Amnesia Everybody Tour
with special guest Mudrat
Oct 10th @ The Brightside, Meanjin/Brisbane
w/ Cheap Date
Oct 11th @ Bootleggers, Warrang/Sydney
w/ Desert Runner
Oct 12th @ Cherry Bar, Naarm/Melbourne
w/ Oh Daisy
