INTERVIEW: NY alt/pop duo Cults Drops new studio album 'To The Ghosts'

photo credit (except for album cover) Shervin Lainez

To The Ghosts builds on Cults expansive universe while ushering in a new, evolved chapter of creativity for the duo. With four acclaimed albums, and a distinct, cinematic sound they’ve garnered a loyal following, 1.5 billion streams and over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Multi-instrumentalists Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion have an uncanny ability to balance alternative sonic architecture with unassuming pop songcraft. To The Ghosts was written and recorded in Brian’s apartment, with the earliest ideas dating back to the Pandemic when they crafted music without the pressure of deadlines or outside distractions. In 2022, they traveled to Los Angeles to round-out the new music and collaborate with longtime producer and trusted creative confidant Shane Stoneback.

What is this record all about?

The record is about love and family and growing up. It is about becoming comfortable in your own skin and confident in yourself.

Is there a specific track on this record you love particularly and why?

All of the tracks are like our babies, so it is hard to pick just one. It is impossible for us to choose singles even because we always feel like we aren’t giving the other tracks their proper shine. Today, I would say my favorite is Left My Keys because it has a summery vibe and it’s starting to really feel like summer here in NYC.

Your sound is quite cinematic. What inspires it?

A lot of movies, music, and real-life situations. We both are drawn to music that creates a world or story for the listener and makes them feel something, and we want to do the same for people who listen to our music. During the recording of this record, we were listening to a lot of Kraftwerk, the Beatles, and the Bee Gees.

Is it true the record was essentially made in one of your apartments?

Yes! We always do the majority of the recording in one of our apartments, and then at the very end, we rent a studio for about a week and do the things that are impossible to do in a NYC apartment, like horns and strings, and we take advantage of whatever cool things the studio has to offer.

How do you think your act and sound evolved over the years?

I would say that we have a lot more confidence than when we first started, so in a way, we probably sound more like ourselves, if that makes sense. During the recording process we allow our ideas to flow more freely because we aren’t getting hung up on everything and when it comes to the live show, there are less nerves, so less holding back.

Out of all the people you collaborated with, was there a special one or moment you cherish the most?

Our most cherished collaborator is Shane Stoneback. He has been such a major part of each record, and it sometimes feels like he lives in our brains because with just a glance he knows exactly what we are thinking and how to make it happen/come to life.