If it helps them navigate their world a little bit better, that’s all I really hope for.”
– The Ghostwrite
Robby Lester AKA The Ghostwrite, 39, is a free-spirited acoustic artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. His passion for music allows him to express his truth through creativity. “I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember,” he said. After attending concerts at age 14, he knew he had to be a part of a band.
“I thought the easiest and the best way to be in a band is to play guitar,” he said. Towards the end of High School, The Ghostwrite purchased his first guitar and he’s been writing and performing ever since. Writing songs and performing music is his way of processing current events and things that are happening in his daily life.
However, The Ghostwrite takes pride in how his music may impact others. “If it helps even another person, I’m happy,” he said “If it helps them navigate their world a little bit better, that’s all I really hope for.”
The Creative Process
He describes his creative process as a stream of consciousness. His urge to write a song is sparked by his thoughts and emotions. “I will be feeling a particular way, or I will have a particular thought in my brain and I just start writing based on those feelings or that particular thought,” said The GhostWrite.
Beyond performing, The Ghostwrite enjoys touring because of his love for traveling. “I really enjoy writing and recording, but I LOVE traveling,” he said “The fact that I’m on my way to play music for a bunch of usually complete strangers, really gets me going.”
His most memorable solo performance was in Lubbock Texas between 2008 or 2009 at a venue called The Bright House. He was welcomed by an excited crowd. “This crowd was just so ready to hear music, and have a good time and party all night.” He says the experience was rare for an acoustic show. “It was such a good show, that I actually booked another show at that same venue. I packed on another couple of dates so I could come back and play there again,” he said.
The Ghostwrite’s upcoming tour dates are listed below:
March 8 – Ormsby Avenue Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
March 9 – The Crown Baltimore, MD
March 10 – Marx Cafe Washington, DC
March 11 – Dojo Dungeon Middletown, NY
March 12 – Ale N’ Wich Pub New Brunswick, NJ
April 3 – Dirty Dungarees Laundromat and Bar Columbus, OH
April 9 – Club Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
Musical Influences
The Ghostwrite values artists who also express their version of the truth through music. “So many bands and performers that speak their version of the truth pumps on my heart strings and gives me music chills,” he said. Two of his musical influences are Canadian punk rock band “Propagandhi ” and Mike Miller, band leader of “Endless Mike and The Beagle Club.” He and Miller both grew up in Johnstown and were influenced by punk rock bands. The Ghostwrite was inspired by one of Miller’s first bands. ”The first time I saw that band, they floored me. I didn’t know local bands could be that good and it totally just altered my perception of what music was,” he said. The Ghostwrite was mainly exposed to mainstream bands through radio before the social media era. “Once I saw, you know, kids my age from the same area I was from making amazing music, it inspired and elevated me to try to do the same thing.”
Propagandhi is one of his musical influences on a national/international level. “They’re the best political punk band on the planet, nobody even comes close to them,” said The Ghostwrite. One of his dreams would be to open for them.
Support the Ghostwrite by following him on Instagram @Theghostwrite and his music can be streamed here.
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