003: SCOTTY ZWANG (Ghost Light)

Episode 003 of The Upful LIFE Podcast features drummer SCOTTY ZWANG, currently of Ghost Light. Scotty has been an enigmatic persona in the Northeast jam/jamtronica scenes for well over a decade, and is a fixture on the Philly musical landscape. The erstwhile rhythm wizard goes deep in this interview, taking us back to his humble beginnings in New York, learning the drums and joining alternative rock bands as a youth (Code Anchor). We then embark on the lengthy discussion of his entire career arc, including his stint in Sonic Spank, which is when I first encountered him at The Blockley in Philadelphia.

 

 

From there we touch on a variety of projects and endeavors, including the mentorship of KJ Sawka, Scotty joining (and leaving) Greenhouse Lounge and Dopapod, and the creation of his current project Ghost Light, which was formed by JRAD's Tom Hamilton, and includes pianist Holly Bowling, among others. We also take a lengthy and hilarious detour into his history with The Disco Biscuits and affiliated projects. Scotty's story is one of success, failure, and rebounding to bigger and better things. Scotty closes things out with his thoughts on taking a step back from the rock n'roll and EDM party scenes (and the activities that go along with them), as well as his recent choice to go Vegan.

We play a little Ghost Light jam in the intro, so Scotty's interview starts around 12:30 and lasts about seventy minutes.

This episode's Vibe Junkie JAM of the Week is a look back at the astounding collaboration between Jamiroquai's Jay Kay and the debut performance of The Fearless Flyers, a Vulfpeck side project. This magic took place late night the Sunday before Labor Day, at an official afterparty for North Coast Music Festival.

 

 

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Theme Song: Mazel Tov by CALVIN VALENTINE