Your Future Ghost is the new synth pop/rock musical project of Billboard-charting singer/songwriter, musician and actress Kate Voegele and the multifaceted songwriter, producer, composer and actor Michael Grubbs. The duo first met on the set, acting in the popular CW hit TV series One Tree Hill. Striking up a fast friendship and mutual creative respect, the two began collaborating musically over zoom during the pandemic. After months of studio sessions in Austin, Texas, intermingled with lively backyard taco breaks, Your Future Ghost was born. Kate Voegele reveals the catalyst for their creative fusion, “our voices blended in a way that inspired us both to write in this unique hemisphere of a sound neither of us had ever really explored before in our solo projects.” The two soon performed their signature dirty indie synth pop at the internationally recognized Art Basel festival in Miami to an overwhelming response affirming their artistic direction.
Their upcoming album features a collection of joyful, wild and dark pop songs. With a powerful blend of big guitars, thunderous drums, and striking synths, Your Future Ghost has crafted an album inspired by, according to Voegele, “finding the fun, the party, and the refuge in the chaos of a post-apocalyptic world.”
Leading single “We’ve Got Places” is a single all about about that place where you find refuge from whatever noise is going on in the world – whether it’s an actual place, a person, or something else, I think we all have those places where we can escape the chaos and be ourselves,” confides Kate. The track features stunning layered harmonies and lush instrumentation for an enticing listen.
“I’m Like Money” is a declaration of self-expression and unabashed uniqueness. “It’s a testament to granting ourselves permission to revel in the sheer joy of being who we truly are.” Voegele further shares, “In one sense, it’s a song about celebrating who you are and knowing you’re a badass, but also being sick of people trying to get a piece of you or tell you who to be. I’ve experienced this so often as a woman in the music and entertainment industry, where people have a very specific idea of who they want you to be and how to mold and shape you into that, but I think this is something everyone experiences in some sense. This song is about taking the power back, knowing your worth and what you bring to the table, and not being afraid to say, “hey, don’t f*cking touch me” when that’s called for.” With gritty, hard-hitting guitar riffs, punchy instrumentation and a pop hook that won’t quit, “I’m Like Money” is an exhilarating and fearless self-love banger.
The music video for “I’m Like Money” is directed by Teck and is a mini little horror movie with the two members playing scheming villains out in the desert hustling people who get lured into their trap looking to get rich. Voegele shares, “I’m basically this alien giant who entices hopeful visitors with showers of cash, but they soon realize if they touch me, they disintegrate and turn into money. It’s got some echoes of King Midas cautionary tale vibes, where the teachable moment is essentially you can look but you can’t touch, but it was also just super fun visuals to shoot. ”
The album features additional singles such as “Oh La La La (Animal),” which delves into the limitations imposed by society, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of individuals. The powerful narrative is about “the demonization of powerful women because of their sexuality,” confides Grubbs. Confident vocals and blistering harmonies are standouts in this bass-heavy indietronica track of catharsis.
Meanwhile, the explosive indie dance party anthem “PRITTY” merges new wave, punk, and electro-pop, creating an intoxicating blend that explores the allure of infatuation and the lengths we go to tolerate someone’s messy behavior.
Inspired by community, their experiences in the spotlight, and the freedom of living authentically and unapologetically, Your Future Ghost embodies a captivating paradox. Grubbs shares, “I would like to encourage folks to accept themselves. Which isn’t easy. I’m like this sadboy emo dude and Kate is this singer-songwriter pop star, and together we’re making this dirty indie album because that’s who we’ve always really been inside.” Their music is poised to make a resounding impact, showcasing the boundless talent and unbridled creativity of Your Future Ghost.
You can connect with Kate Voegele on Instagram @katevoegele and Your Future Ghost @yourfutureghost