Dancing With Ghosts – The Audacity (2022)
If you want a song written about you, don’t be cruel or manipulative – or, at least, if you want a nice song written about you. The number of songs about such relationships could fill Prince’s vault to the brim and then some. It takes an audacious artist to add to that body of work, and Dancing With Ghosts are just that band. The difference between Dancing With Ghosts and your average artist is the former’s delightful ability to craft a memorable three-minute catharsis. ‘The Audacity’, Dancing With Ghosts’ new single, is about walking away from a toxic relationship, romantic or otherwise, and knowing your worth.
Dancing With Ghosts is a duo based in Jacksonville, Florida. Stephanie Conner provides the lead vocals and Josh Cannon donates guitar and backup vocals. They do an intoxicating mix of pop-punk, electronic rock, and alt-rock. Following the punk ethic, they are a fully do-it-yourself duo from production to recording to filming their own music videos. Their live shows proselytize with their energy, visuals, and feeling; their live show motto is “leave your day at the door.” Even without a show, though, ‘The Audacity’ envelopes you.
Guitar riffs meet the listener and Stephanie Conner cuts in shortly with soaring punk-tinged vocals. She moves easily between skyscraping highs, a sneering spoken-word bridge, and catchy melodies. Josh Cannon provides a fuzzy guitar line and the drums, while simple, are highly effective in pointing the listener to the purpose of the song: the lyrics.
A song about a toxic lover, friend, or acquaintance is often angry and cutting if its intention is catharsis. Cannon and Conner are huge mental health advocates. They strive, with their lyrics or outreach, to be an outlet for the listener. ‘The Audacity’ is a product of people clearly dedicated to such issues. For instance, Conner’s sneering delivery serves her lyrics: “You said I’ll miss you when you’re gone / But I won’t shed a tear / Don’t think I won’t notice / That my will is what you fear!” It’s the snark that I’m here for, though. With lines like “Cuz sorry makes it a-okay / Oh! The audacity… shove your audacity / Go find some dignity!” she gives us a song everyone will need at some point in their life.
I’m a resident of northern Florida myself. The music scene here is pretty good. St. Augustine’s Amphitheatre, JAX’s own Daily’s Place Amphitheater, Orlando’s House of Blues and The Abbey, are all within an easily drivable distance. Dancing With Ghosts’ live shows would be a lot of fun to catch at any of these locations, and I intend to do so when they next tour.
For more from Dancing With Ghosts, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
