Brian Brody & The Ghost Ensemble

One of Ireland’s most original and eclectic outfits, Brian Brody & the Ghost Ensemble released their latest album Cupid’s Sense of Humour on BB Records in 2020. Fronted by singer-songwriter Brian Brody, who first formed the band, the Ghost Ensemble features an ever-changing cast of virtuoso musicians playing instruments not commonly associated together to complement his powerhouse vocals.

Brody’s encounter with classical composer Simon Quigley, has now become the Ghost Ensemble’s core writing team. Brody takes care of the lyrics and basic song structure, while handing the composition and arrangement for the ensemble over to Simon Quigley. He launched his own compositions in the NCH in Dublin and his most recent work was performed in the National Opera House in Wexford.

‘Cupid Sense of Humour’ was quite a new departure for the Ghost Ensemble in the sense that it’s almost a concept album,” Brody explains. “These songs of love, loss and hope trace the journey of two people as they embark on a disastrous romantic relationship together.

Born and bred in Dublin, Brody has had an interest in musical theatre since the beginning of the millennium, when he cut his teeth as a musical assistant to legendary actor/director Pat Kinavane in Down To Earth Theatre Company. Pat turned me on to the likes of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Breht and their Threepenny Opera, he recalls.

From there I became aware of the Vaudeville movementand started listening to the likes of Edith Piaf and George Bressons, which inevitably led me on to Jacques Brel and Scott Walker. Suddenly David Bowie made a lot more sense to me.

These mixed influences led Brody to form the Ghost Ensemble.“I wanted my music and lyrics to be as visual as possible to make the performance of each song truly come alive. And I needed some talented Ghosts to help me achieve that!”

The Ghost Ensemble has released acclaimed albums and performed countless live shows – most memorably his series of DaDa gigs in Vicar Street, and his memorable reinterpretations of Scott Walker’s classic 4 album in Whelan’s.