Dancing with Ghosts is an electronic-infused alternative rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. The band brings an exciting, fresh sound to the music world and is not something you’re going to want to miss out on!

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Josh Cannon - Singer, Guitar, Programmer

Stephanie Connor - Singer, Keyboards

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Dancing With Ghosts? How long has the band been around?

The good version of Dancing with Ghosts has been around since 2017 but technically this project has existed since 2014. We were in various bands in the Jacksonville, Florida area including Party For Three, Viktr, Surviving September, and US Station 4.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before? 

The name “Dancing with Ghosts” came from the story of a person who survived cancer. I did not know this person but the anecdote was too good not to use. As this person was going through his cancer treatments, he noticed all of his friends began to abandon him. When he finally overcame his cancer diagnosis he was asked if would be contacting his old friends to reconnect to which he responded “No, that would be like dancing with ghosts”. Dancing with Ghosts has been our name since day one however there is an English folk band called “Dancing with Ghosts” and Spotify even puts our music on the same page so that’s fun.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I write a majority of the songs but Stephanie contributes vocally and lyrically. There are two main themes to our songs. The first theme is mental illness. This is something both Stephanie and I struggle with on a daily basis. The second theme is stories. I love thinking about weird or creepy scenarios that one could find oneself in. I like putting that kind of bizarre imagery in peoples heads especially when paired with our eclectic sound. 

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making? 

Bands that are currently inspiring us would have to be Depeche Mode, Birthday Massacre, Kraftwerk, I Am Ghost and The Smashing Pumpkins. 

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Josh: I remember being a teenager and going to this place called Murray Hill Theatre. It was a Christian rock venue and was the only one that my parents allowed me to go to. I remember seeing the bands on stage and wanting so badly to be up there myself. I felt like there was so much more these bands could be doing to put on a really cool and unique show. I felt like I could do it bigger and better so that’s when I went to the proverbial garage and started tinkering. It took me many years but I feel I have developed the sound and show that I always wanted to see from other bands but never did.

Stephanie: I got the opportunity to see my favorite band “I am Ghost” in their prime in Orlando. That changed everything. I remember the feeling and the excitement. I began writing music and started a band not having any idea what I was doing but knowing that’s what I wanted to do.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

Our show preparation is very meticulous. We have to quarantine ourselves away from everything for at least an hour as we slap face-paint on ourselves and try to make it look cool. We also have vocal warm-ups and various costuming we have to do. I’m not complaining, however, I did the whole ‘’jeans and band t-shirt’’ look for a long time and I never felt like it helped us stand out from the ocean of other bands.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

We were featured on the cover of a magazine that’s really hot in Mexico called “Robotto Has Issues”.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I think it would be awesome to tour with bands that were pioneers of what we are currently doing. Depeche Mode is the first name that comes to mind. Not only is that band amazing but their audience would probably really dig our sound. Then you have groups like The Prodigy (RIP Keith Flint), Shiny Toy Guns, and Nine Inch Nails that all combine synth with a rock energy which is a tour we would die to be on!

 Is there anything else you would like to add?

If we’ve piqued your interest make sure to check out our music videos. They are a good representation of our weirdness and over-the-top theatricality. You can find them at www.youtube.com/DancingwithGhosts. Also be on the look-out for our new album “Hex” which drops March 22nd on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp and any other place digital music can be found. Thanks for talking with us!