Ghost Monologues is the artist name for Brooklyn-based songwriter Richard Mazzetti. After years of silently suffering from Depression and Anxiety episodes, he decided to cathartically create soundscapes that match his inner feeling and emotions that have haunted him and continue to speak at him. Thus, Ghost Monologues was born.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Richard about Ghost Monologues latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Hi, I go by the artist name Ghost Monologues and I’m from Brooklyn, NY (Bushwick, to be exact and fancy about it). I always have a hard time classifying the music I create but I usually say some sort of combination of the words lo-fi, emo, indie rock, and sad. People usually compare my music to Cigarettes After Sex, The XX, and Acid Ghost.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I know it’s a cliché, but music has always been a big part of my life. I started playing guitar when I was 16 (a time when I pretty much was only learning to play metal songs \m/) and from there I discover how to do music production and recording. I was so in awe with music that I actually pursued my undergraduate degree in it. Funny enough, at first I was studying to get a degree in Music Production then switched to Music Business. Two degrees that are music adjacent but don’t actually create music. I think choose those paths because I never thought I was good enough artistic and musicianship wise to consider putting my art out in the world. I would always compare myself to the great song-writers I would listen to and thinking I could never create something as meaningful as that. After a couple of years of helping other bands/artist with their careers, I finally gained the courage to release some of my own music.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This is actually my first official release (my internet debut, if you will). My goal with this song and pretty much any music I release with Ghost Monologues is to create soundscapes that match and feel like my experience with Depression & Anxiety. That’s a pretty big theme for all the music I make. I’m sort of curating a soundtrack for my mental health.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
I think the biggest challenge is being seen and heard in this ocean of music that is the internet. For example, an artist could make the greatest song ever known to humankind by any metric and it could only get 10 plays on your preferred streaming service. There is just so much music out there because the low-entry barrier that some pearls will never be discovered. With that said, I think the low-entry barrier is pretty awesome. With technologies such as digital home recordings, high speed broadband, and even email, I would never be able to share my art with the greater public.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
You can find me at all the usual places like Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud, and of course the Gram.
Anything else before we sign off?
Just a reminder to everyone, It’s okay not to be okay.
