As the haunting winds of October herald the arrival of the Halloween season, The Prickly Pair steps from the shadows with their eerily enchanting EP, “Haunted Hotel.” This release is the perfect addition to your Halloween playlist, setting the tone for a spooktacular time. What’s even more thrilling is that The Prickly Pair has chosen to release this chilling EP on none other than Friday the 13th, which also marks one of their birthdays. Prepare for a musical trick and treat with “Haunted Hotel,” featuring an instrumental, a heartfelt original love song, and two spine-chilling covers.
The driving force behind The Prickly Pair comprises of two gifted members namely Mason Summit, A multi-talented artist who handles guitar, vocals, and production duties. Irene Greene, the captivating voice that lends a touch of vocal magic to the duo’s musical spell.
Their journey began at the USC Thornton School of Music, both personally and musically. After nearly seven years of partnership, they decided to explore the world of music together, birthing The Prickly Pair in 2021.
The musical tapestry of The Prickly Pair is interwoven with influences from legendary artists such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter, Sparklehorse, Wilco, Elliott Smith, Jon Brion, and Fiona Apple. These iconic figures have played a pivotal role in shaping the duo’s signature sound, which gracefully melds classic and contemporary elements.
The Prickly Pair has brought their music to life on airwaves, performing live on KXLU and KXSC radio in Los Angeles. Their enchanting melodies have also graced the stages of venues like the Hotel Cafe in Nashville, where you can catch them every Saturday from 5 to 7 at Drifter’s BBQ. They’ve shared their music with audiences at acclaimed venues like the Basement, Basement East, and the Mockingbird Theatre.
Their journey in the world of music has been peppered with unique experiences. Their rendition of “Banks of the Ohio” was originally created for an online audio play called “Creepy Crawl” as part of the series “A Garden of Terrible Blooms.” An exceptional tribute came when they had the honor of performing alongside acclaimed songwriter Walter Egan at a Gram Parsons tribute. In March, they played a vital role as the house band at the Basement East in Nashville for a tribute to Pink Floyd.
The creation of the “Haunted Hotel” EP was a labor of love for The Prickly Pair. Mason Summit was the driving force behind the production and engineering of the EP, showcasing his diverse talents by playing multiple instruments, including the Mellotron, baritone guitar, B-bender electric guitar, harmonica, electric piano, organ, and more. Conor McCarthy, Irene’s brother, took on the responsibility of engineering vocals for “Haunted Hotel” and “Banks of the Ohio.” Percussion arrangements on “Banks of the Ohio” were skillfully performed by Brendan Bird. The EP was mixed in Los Angeles, with Mason’s Jaw Talk bandmate Oliver Roman mixing “Haunted Hotel.” Sebastian Jones was responsible for mixing the other three songs and also contributed upright bass to “Haunted Hotel” and “Six Foot Under.” The mastering of the songs took place at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville under the guidance of Bobbi Giel. The haunting cover photo was captured by Eva Cassel, and the graphic design was executed by Milo Borsuk.
As The Prickly Pair works diligently to mix their original songs for an upcoming EP, they couldn’t resist the allure of releasing something special for Halloween. Therefore, they decided to unveil “Haunted Hotel” on the thematically fitting date of Friday the 13th, also marking Mason’s birthday. For this EP, they thoughtfully selected an original song, “Haunted Hotel,” perfectly in sync with the eerie essence of the season. Alongside this original, the EP presents a chilling instrumental and two cover songs, each contributing to the creation of the ideal Halloween atmosphere.
“Haunted Hotel” was born as a love song from Irene to Mason, inspired by an eerie experience at the supposedly haunted Monte Vista hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. The room they stayed in was the site of a double murder involving two sex workers, whose ghosts were rumored to choke male guests in their sleep. This unsettling backdrop became the muse for the haunting song.
“Banks of the Ohio” is a reimagined traditional murder ballad, offering a fresh perspective from a female point of view.
“Six Foot Under” takes you on a journey into the world of obscure 1960s country music, exploring themes of love, death, and mortality in a truly unique way.
The creation of “Haunted Hotel” led to thrilling experiments with effects pedals and long-distance communication with collaborators in Los Angeles. These behind-the-scenes stories add an extra layer of intrigue to the EP’s journey.
Embracing the Halloween season, The Prickly Pair couldn’t be happier to release “Haunted Hotel” just in time for Friday the 13th. It’s the perfect soundtrack for your costume contests, Halloween parties, or haunted hayrides. The EP encapsulates the spirit of the season, offering listeners a taste of the eerie and the mysterious. As a special shout-out, their beloved dog Kane makes a cameo in the cover photo, making this release all the more endearing.
“Haunted Hotel” isn’t just an EP; it’s an invitation to experience the thrill of Halloween through the enchanting and haunting sounds of The Prickly Pair. Whether you’re carving pumpkins or donning your costume, this music will take you on a journey through the eerie and the unknown. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Connect with THE PRICKLY PAIR on
English