Since I first heard their Lost Echo’s EP I have been haunted (pun intended) by the music of Ghostwoman. Their snarling psychedelia mixes sandpaper and honey and the low rumble of their music can easily vibrate every cell in your body. They hit somewhere between Link Wray and The Byrds but make every crashing drum hit tectonic, and every keening note, or guitar chord, harness thunder and lightning. Their new album, Welcome to the Civilised World, comes out on 5 September (you can hear the singles ‘Alive’ and ‘that Jesus’ at the bottom of this article) plus they have a European tour starting in August.
I was intrigued to find out what music had influenced the duo of Ille van Dessel (drums) and Evan Uschenko (guitar and vocals) so asked if they would take part in our feature My Life In 10 Songs. They kindly obliged with an eclectic and thrilling set of 10 songs each with a paragraph or two on what each one means to them.
ILLE VAN DESSEL
1. Sonic youth – Mote
This has been my “keep going” anthem for years. It starts out insane but when the vocals come in, I always get goosebumps. It is such a beautiful melody. This song is the perfect mix between dark and melancholic – but still it has all these musical hooks, that makes it an actual “song”.
2. The Velvet Underground – Venus in furs
The first time I heard this I was blown away, and I still am every time I listen to this song. I love everything that they have done but this song tops it all. Slightly creepy, but then also very vibey at the same time. I mean, this is the classic of all classics – for a reason. Also, this song made me appreciate tambourine – I used to hate it.
3. Rowland S. Howard – Sleep alone
I learned about Rowland S. Howard’s solo stuff after getting into Nick Cave and The Birthday Party. I remember hearing this song and I thought it was the coolest riff I had heard in a long time. I have a love for a specific type of noise – and this song totally sums that up. I feel this guy never got the recognition he deserves, so here I am: go listen to this man!
4. Krisma (Chrisma) – Lola
I´ve been listening to this song constantly the past year. There is so much stuff going on – but it is never too much. It is such a well balanced song – all the parts really have their own place. The part when the marching drum comes in at the end always gives me shivers.
5. The Buzzcocks – Ever fallen in love
This song always makes me want to dance – and I am not a dancer. It is just so good. It´s basically a pop song, but I love a good pop song. I don´t really have a lot to say on this one, it´s just flat out a super well written song.
6. The Replacements – Unsatisfied
Another one that always makes me emotional. The vocals are so raw! You can literally feel and hear the emotions coming through Paul Westerberg’s voice. It´s just one of those songs I´ll never get tired of. And obviously the guitar riff is really sweet.
7. Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence
A super classic, because it is so good! I am not the biggest Depeche Mode fan that has ever walked the earth, but this song is just something else. It’s rhythmic, poppy and slightly melancholic. I always wonder if this song was made today, it still would have such an impact. The videoclip is also really cool – which is made by the Dutch guy Anton Corbijn.
8. Fugazi – I´m so tired
I´m not a piano girl, but this song is so incredible. I listen to it almost daily. It is “simple”, but effective. I admire bands who make different things and always re-invent themselves – and Fugazi did that with this song and album in particular. Truly inspiring.
9. This Heat – SPQR
This song is from my favorite album ever, called “Deceit”. I could have picked any song from that record, but I had to choose. Charles Hayward is my favorite drummer – I could listen to and watch him play for hours. It’s such an exhilarating song, it´s like I transform into a soldier when I listen to this – marching to the beat. And when you think the song is done, this noisy ending suddenly starts playing. Perfect!
10. Lee Hazlewood – The Night Before
Lee Hazlewood is one of my favorite singers ever, his voice is really insane. I first listened to the stuff he did with Nancy Sinatra, and then got into his solo stuff. This song is one of the most haunting singles I have ever heard. The best part for me is when the trumpets come in.
The song is about waking up the night after you drank way too much and feeling like garbage – an important subject. It´s brutally honest.
EVAN USCHENKO
The coolest song ever written and recorded. ‘Nuff said.
2. Hooker n heat – Send me your pillow
This is one of those albums you can’t experience anywhere but in front of a record player.
Alan Wilson was the main guy in the group Canned Heat until 1970. Y’know, he’s the high pitched voice that sings “goin up the country”.
Side A + B is John Lee Hooker with a mic’d up sheet of plywood on the floor and the band sitting in the control room egging him on.
Side C + D is the full band with Jonny leading. There’s a part of the album where John is talking about Alans harmonica playing. “I dig this kids harmonica. I don’t know how he follow me but he do. You musta listened to my records all your life. I cant lose ya.”
Alan wandered off into the California woods and never returned before this album was released. He was 27 years old. The album cover is the John with the band and a photo of Alan hanging on the wall behind them.
3. Firesign theatre – Everything you know is wrong
You know when you repeat a common word over and over until it starts sounding foreign? That’s what listening to this album is like. Sorry its not a song, but the album plays like 1 song. They’re a comedy group from the 60s whose style was based on the old days of radio programs and news anchors: But with a psychedelic twist.
This album blew my mind as a kid. I had no idea what was going on but I listened and got lost in it anyway. I doubt anyone has the patience to consume something like this today, which is a shame. But when you do, you’ll get it.
4. Canned heat – Change Gon Come
– I’d watch the Woodstock ’69 documentary [which was partially directed by Scorsese] as a kid and whenever this part came on, I was glued. Everyone has such style. The guitars sound great. Nobody’s stepping on anyone. The guy who comes on stage to steal a cigarette was actually just a fan. Far out.
5. Big sugar – digging a hole
-this song was on the radio a lot when I was s kid in the 90s. Probably the coolest and most stylish band to come from the great white north. It was that glorious era in pop music when engineers really gave a shit about how the drums and the vibe was about back-beats, groove and how it sounded in your car. Also, killer guitar tone. I know jack white thinks he discovered this band, but he can go suck an egg.
6. Dr John – Walk on Guilded Splinters
– wish I made this album. Best drum sound and far out engineered album. Pure darkness. Heavier than most metal bands these days. You gotta hear it on the original pressing vinyl, Everything is hard panned, freak-mixed and pure psychedelic. These black/lizard/witch psych bands got nothin’ on this record.
7. CW Stoneking – How Long
First this song and album randomly on the World Wide Web. Figured it was a long lost 78. Upon further reading, he’s a contemporary artist raised in the Australian outback. The album was recorded mono on at most 3 tracks live in the studio. I personally think it’s one of the best modern sounding recordings I’ve heard in a long time and his guitar playing is untouchable. It’s hard to pick just one song, the whole album kicks ass. But here’s the opening track.
8. Philip Jeck – Invisible Architecture #1
heard this randomly on a college radio station scanning through the radio dial. I literally thought is was a radio interception from another planet. My dad and I stood there and listened the whole time. Then a voice came on and named the song and artist and brought us back to earth. Safe to say, I bought the album immediately after.
9. Incubus – hidden track
– also known as “Jose Loves Kate Moss, Part 1”
10. Boyd Rivers – wrapped up
Mister Rivers was born in Madison county Mississippi in 1933 and lead spirituals at the church house. Nobody can sing or play like Boyd Rivers. Originally recorded in his home by Alan Lomax, these recordings blew my mind when I discovered them. Still not sure how I found him, but I’m glad I did.
Huge thanks to both Ille and Evan for letting us know their 10 songs. I hope this selection and the two singles below whet your appetite for what I know is an incredible album. But, if you are new to Ghostwoman then I envy you discovering their back catalogue of outstanding releases.
‘that Jesus’ is the current single from the forthcoming album Welcome to the Civilized World
‘and Alive’ was the first single off the album (my review here):
Ghostwoman socials: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp
UK part of their tour:
24/10/2025 – UK – Hare & Hounds – Birmingham
25/10/2025 – UK – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
26/10/2025 – IE – The Grand Social – Dublin
28/10/2025 – UK – Stereo – Glasgow
29/10/2025 – UK – YES – Manchester
30/10/2025 – UK – Exchange – Bristol
01/11/2025 – UK – The Garage – London
02/11/2025 – UK – Patterns – Brighton
Introduction by Paul F Cook
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