Roadkill Ghost Choir - False Youth Etcetera, Vol. 1 (2017)

Roadkill Ghost Choir are an indie rock band whose music combines the languid but emotionally charged approach of indie rock with a Southern gothic undertow, articulated through the voices of banjo and pedal steel guitar. Roadkill Ghost Choir were formed by lead vocalist and songwriter Andrew Shepard in in DeLand, Florida in 2011; Shepard had been booked to play a solo show at a local club, but soon decided he preferred to have a band for the occasion. Shepard rounded up a backing combo from his friends and siblings: guitarist Stephen Gaza was in a band called Introduction to Sunshine, Andrew's brothers Zach Shepard (bass) and Maxx Shepard (drums) had worked with the Quiet Men, as did pedal steel and banjo man Kiffy Meyer, and Joe Davoli on keys and trumpet had played in the group Loud Valley. The musicians were pleased with the show and decided to continue working together, and Roadkill Ghost Choir were born. The band earned a reputation in Florida and began touring throughout the South and East Coast, and in 2013, the group released a Kickstarter-funded EP, Quiet Light. The EP received enthusiastic reviews, and as positive word of mouth began to spread, Roadkill Ghost Choir began landing bigger and better bookings, including appearances at the Austin City Limits and Governor's Ball festivals, and a spot on The Late Show with David Letterman. in 2013, Roadkill Ghost Choir began work on their first full-length album, though not long after the sessions were finished the group was pared down to a quintet by the departure of Joe Davoli. In the summer of 2014, the band released In Tongues and set out for more touring, including appearances at the Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza festivals. ~ Mark Deming.