Ghost In Real Life: “Drum & Bass Gave Me the Freedom to Be Myself”

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Ghost In Real Life is part of the new wave of drum and bass artists taking hold of the scene and her pop-punk-influenced style is infectious.

While some DJs and producers dig their heels into the genre they launched their careers with, others have taken a different approach by dabbling in multiple realms along the way. This is especially true for artists like Ghost In Real Life, who developed a deep passion for drum and bass and found her creative juices flowing when making tunes in the studio. She’s made the genre her new home in the wake of the pandemic, and each passing year has seen her grow significantly.

Ghost In Real Life has already begun to run the gamut label-wise, bringing her drum and bass sound to NIGHTMODE, MONTA, Bassrush Records, Deadbeats, Cyclops Recordings, and BEACON. These standout releases have been paired with bookings that have included EDC Las Vegas, Countdown NYE, and support for acts like Dimension and Chase & Status. More recently, she added another label to the mix, gracing Emo Nite’s Graveboy Records with her stunning track “My Anthem” that showcases her pop-punk-meets-drum-and-bass style. Luckily, she had some time to share her thoughts on the genre and the scene.

Drum and bass really gave me the freedom to be myself, and the community just welcomed it. DnB is more than just a genre to me—it’s an expression of raw energy and emotion, a pulse that speaks to the depths of both the mind and body. There’s something about the sporadic breakbeats, the rolling basslines, and the intricate layers of sound that make you lose yourself while staying fully connected to the moment.

Ghost In Real Life

That raw energy and emotion that’s channeled into the tunes that makes drum and bass such a great genre, but there’s a thriving, passionate community that keeps everyone coming back. According to Ghost In Real Life, that community is “equally as powerful” as the music. “It’s a space that thrives on inclusivity, creativity, and passion,” she said. “Whether you’re on the dancefloor or behind the decks, there’s a shared understanding that we’re all there to feel something deeper.”

The people who love drum and bass are fearless in their embrace of underground culture, and that energy is infectious.

Ghost In Real Life

Like other artists who have risen through the ranks of drum and bass lately, Ghost In Real Life found her footing in the wake of the pandemic. After experimenting, she quickly embraced the style, put it at the forefront, and hasn’t looked back. “Producers get bored when things get too repetitive, just as listeners do,” she said, reminiscing about her trip into this genre and its overall rise in the US. “During the pandemic, I think many of us had a lot of free time, and drum and bass gave us all a chance to experiment and learn more about what we can do with producing music.”

Ghost In Real Life mentioned Brownies & Lemonade’s DNBNL shows as a big reason why the genre is as popular as it is today, saying that the brand “has a fascinating way of starting trends.” She also mentioned REAPER’s 2022 album on Bassrush Records, DISRUPTOR. “[The album] started a huge wave of producers wanting to make DnB,” Ghost In Real Life said. “He’s honestly a brilliant producer.”

To Ghost In Real Life, the future of drum and bass is brighter than ever. According to her, the genre “has so much room for producers to keep experimenting and creating their own path.” This includes the music she’s producing, but others as well. Some of her favorite artists she rattled off come from her friends – Muzz, Rebel Scum, Apollo, and Skellytn – but also acts like Teddy Killerz, ShockOne, the WORSHIP crew, and YUSSI, who she recently came across.

We’re in an anything-goes moment right now—kind of how I’m basically creating my own subgenre of pop-punk DnB. I’m excited to keep experimenting and working with other producers and artists to develop my own path and do something cool and creative.

Ghost In Real Life

Ghost In Real Life is gearing up for a massive run in 2025 and she dropped off a stunning mix to give everyone a taste of what she’s been cooking up. Listen to this exclusive mix on SoundCloud and follow her social channels to stay updated on upcoming releases and shows.