After closing our doors almost two months ago, we’re finally back open this weekend with an incredible three nights of gigs culminating in the ultimate climax of OK LISTEN on Saturday night. We catch up with The Ghost Soundsystem’s Andi Numan to talk about the epic soundsystem made with Andi’s brother, the equally epic lineup for this Saturday’s show (DJs BbyFaceKilla, Peach Milk, Native Bush, Dylan Biscuit, Clay Louis and Go Nuclear playing live!) and the joy in putting on one of the first Level 1 parties.
First of all, what is The Ghost?
The Ghost is a hand built soundsystem I built with my brother over a few years. It’s 2.6 meters high, weighs over a tonne and looks like a sonic weapon.
Technically, it’s a 5 way horn loaded soundsystem (Subwoofers, Kick bins, Mid bass, Mids, Highs). The high speakers are big three way horns with 7 drivers that you can’t really see. In the middle of the stack are a set of 15” “kick bins that give it that chest punching bass. The subwoofers at the bottom have a 4.5 meter long horn path folded into each box so they do super low bass with clean musical tones. The ways it’s designed means your ear perceives each stack as a single point source of sound. There’s nothing quite like this combined system in the world as far as I know.
There are some great DJs on the lineup, how did you pick them?
They are a sick bunch of talent. They all have great musical depth and diversity - true music lovers. I want OK LISTEN to cross genres and I think for that the DJs need to dig deep and be able to move in different directions. Many of them are musicians as well and I have a soft spot for that. Go Nuclear will play live.
OK Listen has been described as “the basement rave of your dreams”. Is old school basement rave culture an influence?
Yes very much. I grew up going to raves around Auckland in the 90’s. I miss that type of abandon, raw energy and passion. I’ve spent a lot of time later in basement clubs. I had a residency in a couple of basement clubs in Seoul over several years. I also did the sound installs for a basement club called Cakeshop in Seoul that has done very well.
Would it be accurate to say you’re now reclaiming that culture in a way?
Looking back I think I took for granted how much time and space I had for art, music and dance. It’s harder for people to find that now, and 2020 took it to another level. I think the culture is there and I’m helping reclaim the needed space for people to be inspired, come together and culture to thrive. People need to work harder and work together to maintain this now. It doesn’t come so easy. It’s been good to have my system out at the Friendly Potential parties. They have that intention.
Native Bush
What kind of music and vibe should people expect this weekend?
Everyone’s fizzing to get out and move and scream. It’s gonna be raw banging house, rave and techno on a massive soundsystem. It’s perfect. People are going to go nuts.
Like a lot of gigs on our calendar, OK LISTEN has been scheduled and rescheduled due to lockdowns. How does it feel to be throwing one of the first gigs when we reopen the doors to the club this weekend?
Kinda sacred. I feel like the party gods are saying, “make it fucking epic.”
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OK Listen and The Ghost System are coming to Neck of the Woods this Saturday.
Get tickets to this weekend’s show and scroll down for a Go Nuclear guest mix!
