The Irish band Lankum has unveiled their mesmerizing interpretation of The Specials' iconic track ‘Ghost Town’.
To date, the band has produced remarkable music, earning widespread critical acclaim. Lankum is a powerful live act, with an emotionally charged sound that is rooted in traditional Irish folk, while incorporating elements of drone, punk, and other unconventional genres.
Renewing their collaboration with Rough Trade Records, Lankum has released something new and quite surprising.
Now available, they have transformed The Specials' ska classic ‘Ghost Town’ into a haunting, hypnotic eight-minute exploration.
Their otherworldly rendition carries immense power, maintaining the emotional essence of the original while reimagining it in a desolate, windswept area of Ireland.
Streaming now, Lankum’s version of ‘Ghost Town’ will also be released as a 12-inch vinyl on January 30th, featuring a detailed etching on the b-side.
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The music video for ‘Ghost Town’ was filmed on location in County Wicklow, directed by Leonn Ward, with cinematography provided by Robbie Ryan.
Lankum shared their thoughts…
‘Ghost Town’ came to us under unique circumstances. Oona Doherty, whom we knew from her incredible dance work in the video for Gilla Band’s ‘Shoulderblades’, reached out to us regarding a new show she was producing. The show centers on her great-great-grandfather, who was sent to Belfast as a child to live with his aunts and work in an abattoir. She was looking for a new piece of music for a Halloween party scene and expressed her desire for it to start off indistinct and dreamy before evolving into the recognizable track by The Specials.
Initially, we were hesitant—covering a ska song wasn't something we typically entertained. However, after some consideration, we decided to give it a try, leading us on an enjoyable journey where we happily experimented with synthesizers and drum machines at Hellfire Studios, striving to create the most nostalgic 90s techno for the outro.
We are thrilled with the final product and grateful that Oona encouraged us to step outside our comfort zone. It’s a privilege to release a version of such an iconic song, and it feels eerily pertinent to once again address themes of urban decay, economic hardship, and working-class frustration.
Enjoy it responsibly.
Watch the video below.
Photo Credit: Sorcha Frances Ryder
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The Irish band Lankum has released their haunting version of The Specials' iconic track 'Ghost Town'. The group has created remarkable music up to this point, earning