Ghost on TV find balance between desire and selflessness on ‘Daily Laws’

Boston alternative project of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Paul DePasquale strikes a new kind of groove on Friday, November 15

New album ‘Mister Silence’ out in early 2025

BOSTON, Mass. [November 15, 2024] – At some point over the past few years, Paul DePasquale made a deal with himself. After two decades in the Boston music scene, mostly fronting celebrated alt-rock project Vary Lumar, the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter found himself without a creative musical outlet. So he decided to recalibrate, reload, and refresh, coming out on the other side with new solo project Ghost on TV, which releases hypnotic new beat-and-bass-driven single “Daily Laws” on Friday, November 15 via Swoom Records. 

“Daily Laws,” with its calm and collected urgency and upbeat swagger that recalls the likes of Radiohead and Animal Collective, is the first taste of forthcoming new album Mister Silence, set for release early in 2025. Written, produced, and performed entirely by DePasquale, the new record has centered the artist’s creative focus, not only by finding a balance between what he personally desires and what he professionally expects of himself, but to also evolve rock music, and our stodgy notion of it, one trip-hop beat at a time. 

And it starts with the kinetic “Daily Laws,” a confident composition that blends genres with ease and echoes a swirling sense of dystopia that clouds our shared headspaces. 

“‘Daily Laws’ is about the art of negotiation with yourself and others,” DePasquale says. “We always need to make sacrifices in life when dealing with other people, but it’s important to make negotiations with yourself. Know when to be kind and compassionate and know when to be unapologetic when being or doing what is best for yourself.” 

That reasoning stands as proper source material for what’s to come. “Daily Laws,” as well as Mister Silence, was recorded and mixed by longtime collaborator and co-conspirator Sean McLaughlin of 37’ Productions in Rockland, MA; and mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering in Boston with assistant mastering engineer Costanza Tinti.

DePasquale’s inner circle these days is tight, though he anticipates Ghost on TV will eventually become more of a collaborative project. He soft-released debut album Appealing and debut EP Melt on Mild in late 2020 during the pandemic, emerging after he found himself without a band – or a familiar role as a songwriter – for the first time in nearly two decades. At that point, it had been roughly two years since he even penned a song, and Ghost on TV’s blank canvas was a welcome respite.     

“I felt stuck creatively, fighting with myself between trying to always push the envelope or do what just felt natural,” DePasquale admits. “I had always put such pressure on myself to write songs and styles that were forced to be different. I no longer wanted to do that. I wanted to master the art of simplicity. I dove back into classic artists, musicians, and actors that made art from a simpler time. I found the art that impressed me the most was from artists that were unlikely I would enjoy, or so I thought. I finally felt like ‘I am done with trying to find things, just do what feels good.’” 

That ethos is reflected across Mister Silence, and echoed across the four minutes of “Daily Laws,” which balance simplicity with depth and spaciousness with density. “Daily Laws” is simply a microcosm of a larger creative ecosystem at play.  

“Mister Silence is all about growing older, being a bit wiser, reminiscing and learning from your past, staying true to oneself, taking liberties, while not being so damn aggressive about anything,” DePasquale says. “We live in a world where most people will wear emotions or show everything up front, looking for validation, and sometimes it is best to just be calm, quiet, thoughtful and reflective. Be silent until it makes sense not to be. This song, ‘Daily Laws’, shares the idea of that natural push and pull between desires and selflessness.” 

 The first piece of “Daily Laws” to fall into place was the bassline, with DePasquale utilizing a SG bass he picked up while in Tokyo. Keeping a minimal approach that would unfurl one beat at a time, DePasquale added the layers that would deliver an atmospheric breeze under and across each note and lyric. It rings out with a slight air of familiarity, like an old personal favorite song not heard in ages; but also relishes in modernized production and an almost futuristic composition.   

“The beat, groove, lyrics, and melody really felt to be the most mature, fresh, and simple-minded song I have made in a long time,” he notes. “It seemed to effortlessly embody the concept of the album, as well as what I am trying to do with the project, as well as myself as a songwriter. I wanted everything to have its own time and place and be open, while being dense at the same time.”

Another revealing aspect of what DePasquale is aiming for with Ghost on TV – both with this new material and whatever comes after it – is derived from its moniker. With DePasquale himself going back to the classics to rekindle a love affair with music and the creation of it, he got to thinking about the role of art and how it endures long after our human bodies give way. 

“The name Ghost On TV came from the idea that artists and their art live forever for us to enjoy for as long as we like,” he posits. “I find it pretty cool that I can be inspired by someone who is no longer of the living.” 

And while DePasquale may have felt that way just a few years ago, Ghost on TV has revived and resurrected his passion for intricate songwriting, especially as he steers his creative vision into new and exciting directions. 

“On Mister Silence, there are tracks where I freestyle, dive into trip-hop, and explore grooves that I have never done before,” DePasquale concludes. “I am trying to explore new areas while wrapping it in my comfort zones a little bit. Also the instrumentations, arrangements, and sonic approach to the material are all new areas for me.” 

Taken individually, those things exist as ways to keep an artist’s songwriting fresh. But assumed collectively, they’re all just part of the deal DePasquale made with himself. 

‘Daily Laws’ production credits:

Written, produced and performed by Paul DePasquale

Recorded and mixed by Sean McLaughlin of 37’ Productions

Mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering in Boston, MA 

Assistant Mastering Engineer: Costanza Tinti

Released on Swoom Records

‘Daily Laws’ single artwork:

Ghost on TV short bio:

Ghost on TV is the new recording project from Boston-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Paul DePasquale. After soft-releasing debut album Appealing and debut EP Melt on Mild in 2020 during the pandemic, Ghost on TV returns with new single “Daily Laws” in November 2024 via Swoom Records. It’s the exciting first taste of new album Mister Silence, set for release in early 2025.  

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