An Old School Haunting — Italian Post-Punk Ensemble Tanz Akademie Debut Their Video for “The Ghost”

Tanz Akademie, a ragtag bunch of six from the nooks of Piedmont, Italy, is gearing up to toss their hat into the alternative rock ring with their inaugural album, Hullabaloo.  Dropping on April 26th, 2024, via Overdub Recordings, Hullabaloo is the band’s open diary – penned, no less, in a whirlwind week of recording frenzy. It’s a chaotic blend of raw energy and tender moments that reads like a band’s wild ride through ups, downs, and all-around town, all while sticking together like that last slice of pizza nobody wants to claim.  The band’s sound is an exhilarating fusion of post-punk and indie rock, spiced with elements of jazz, goth, and alternative pop. Their repertoire, rich with march-like brass and occasional spoken-word vocals, makes for a compelling live experience. Picture a marching band crashing a coming-of-age celebration held at a funeral.

Tanz Akademie masterfully weaves stories that could spook even the bravest souls around a campfire, all while dancing in the dim light of folklore. Their latest single, The Ghost, plunges you into a psychological maze, your mind’s eerie corridors where anxiety reigns supreme, throwing a sinister soiree with a guest list of inner demons. Choose your dread: from the cold grip of depression to the restless shadows of anxiety – they’re all haunting this gathering.

This particular ghost doesn’t just stir up chaos from the shadows; it’s practically a master of mischief, serenading on your hallway piano, engaging in a game of spectral hide-and-seek in the quirkiest corners of your space, and transforming your abode into a fortress of solitude. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any weirder, this ghostly presence, having pilfered the company of your friends, morphs into an eerie ally.

Musically, The Ghost is an anarchic blend of punk’s raw edge and a marching band gone rogue—think brass and whistles colliding with electric guitar in a symphony of organized chaos. There are elements of  The Blitz, The Stranglers, Madness, The Jam, and Dexy’s Midnight Runners in their sound, but with a more avant-garde jazz edge reminiscent of Tuxedomoon.  It’s a track that paints a grand, almost baroque picture, then gleefully tears it down with a power chord.

The delightfully kooky video, directed by Lorenzo Cavaiuolo, Michele Reggio, Alessandro Furio, Giovanni Lo Vano, takes the themes of the song and develops them into a cohesive storyline.

“Anxiety, depression, and disorders of the psyche are personified by three creatures: a Ghost, a Hare-Man, and a Fawn-Lady,” the band explains. “Initially, the protagonist is shown apparently living alone in an estate or castle. As the narrative develops, the creatures begin to enter his life, initially as unwanted guests who settle in his house, then as friends and playmates, who pity him and take care of him. The ending is evidently open-ended, the presences remain, and we do not understand whether the protagonist accepts them (proactively and light-heartedly) or surrenders to them (passively).”

Watch the video for ‘The Ghost” below:

The dynamic six-piece ensemble, comprising Luca Assisi on guitar, Michele Reggio on bass, Francesco Nada juggling saxophone and guitar duties, Matteo Boglietti mastering the french horn and other brass instruments, and Giovanni Lo Vano leading with vocals and guitar, is electrifying audiences across northern and central Italy. Their burgeoning reputation in the local music scene is a testament to their unique sound, and they’re set to take this sonic adventure to Europe in 2024, marking their first international tour.

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