Set between the sprawling city of Orlando and the gritty town of Daytona Beach, DeLand is at an odd spot in Florida — it inhabits an area somewhat away but close to everything. Founded by a baking soda magnate, DeLand boasts the state’s oldest private college, the Museum of Florida Art and was the site of Adam Sandler’s film The Waterboy. It’s a difficult place to define.
Knowing that helps better explain Roadkill Ghost Choir, a six-piece band that embodies just about any genre you want to throw at it — indie, rock, folk, bluegrass, country, pop. And while Roadkill Ghost Choir could fill any number of descriptions, what it is not is boring. In its EP Quiet Light, the band creates a lush six-song feast of banjos, trumpets, subtle cymbals, tight songwriting and constant surprise – DeLand has a star in its midst.
Paced by the brother trio of Andrew, Maxx and Zach Shepard, RGC mixes and matches sounds, with sudden shifts to push songs in dynamic directions. Opening track “Beggars Guilt” kicks off with clean and simple banjo picking soon joined by Andrew’s vocal, an understated twang that sits somewhere between Jim James and Bob Dylan. After building up a steady banjo steam, the song drifts into an ethereal set of oohs and aahs, before coming home with a heady trumpet and an inspired Andrew Shepard leaning into the lyrics. It’s a fine foray in.
“Drifter” falls into more My Morning Jacket territory (though I felt a touch of The Feelies too), a fast-moving song with the fine inclusion of Kiffy Meyers’ pedal steel to give it added character. “Devout” follows, crooning lyrics and a subtle guitar slow burn through most of the song, but there’s plenty going on underneath to keep it constantly interesting. It reminds me of The Bends – yeah, I went there.
It’s not all glorious — some of the songs tend to go on a bit too long, while “Bird In My Window” doesn’t feel quite done. But this doesn’t keep these songs from having merit, it just shows the band is not quite all the way there — yet.
It’s a surprise such an eclectic band comes from an undefined place – but maybe that’s what makes Roadkill Ghost Choir so special. Without a blueprint of bands to follow, it forged a path all its own, and Quiet Light is its shining map. Consider it one to treasure.
