Joe Ghatt / Caper LP Green Marble Vinyl

Joe Ghatt 'Caper' LP Green Marble Vinyl

Five years on from his impressive debut album, 'Banana Sludge', Aotearoa-based psychedelic and garage rock artist, Joe Ghatt has returned with his luscious sophomore album, Caper, released via Third Eye Stimuli Records.

Following the unexpected acclaim from his charming lo-fi 2019 debut album, followed by a successful first tour of Australia’s east coast and supporting California’s Allah Las on their 2020 New Zealand tour, Joe Ghatt excitedly got to work on his follow up record — a process that became a three year journey, battling the isolation of Covid-19 lockdowns, whilst getting deep in his exploration of new influences, sounds and production.

The process for making his follow up record saw moments when Joe was pushed to his limits — mentally, physically and environmentally — but through his musical endeavour, he learned to make light of situations and in the end realised that the whole process was a kind of "dance".

On Caper, Joe Ghatt presents nine tracks that see the New Zealand artist evolving his warbly psych pop and surf-infused rock with a plethora of exotic new influences. With Joe writing the bones of all the songs on his faithful nylon string — the first instrument he learnt to play when living in south of Spain, as a young teen — the album is a highly percussive and rhythmic journey that will delight the senses and imagination. Ghatt explores his love of Afro-Beat, Tropicalia, Bossa Nova, Peruvian and Latin American music, with the likes of Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, Willie Bobo, Carlos Santana and Los Destellos seeping their way into the mix, as well as modern rock artists such as Allah Las and Babe Rainbow.

Different to Joe’s debut album, where he recorded and mixed the album all through his Tascam Reel-To-Reel, on Caper, he enlisted Melbourne’s John Lee (The Murlocs, Bananagun, Sunfruits) to mix and master the album, giving it a contemporary sound, while staying true to Joe’s colourful, analogue charm. 

"...a blend of lush, ascending flute and jazzy Bossa Nova-styled percussion, reminding you to lighten up amidst life’s hustle and bustle."
— Rolling Stone (AU/NZ)

“The album is loose and lounged, the kind of record built to soundtrack a summer’s day. Sea breezes blow through the crevices of Caper, adding to its restorative nature.” 
— Raven Sings The Blues (USA)


Tracklisting:

Side A
1. Pale Blue Dot 
2. Always Remember
3. Blue Boy
4. Hold On You 
5. Push Push

Side B
6. Orange October 
7. A Cold Wind 
8. Humble 
9. Ya Ya