Here’s the atmospheric new single from Belgium/Canada-based duo Evan Uschenko and Ille van Dessel, also known as Ghostwoman. An unexpected combination of sounds and styles – country, krautrock, blues and Americana – makes ‘Alive’ a compelling listen. Beneath the engaging vocal melody, the rhythms are hypnotic, urgent and intense, building towards a powerful climax. With the feel of ‘found-footage’, the video takes us on a road trip with the duo, which is fitting for a song that is perfect for driving along to. The song represents a moment, captured like a photograph, and reflects on the ephemeral nature of things.
Evan Uschenko says of the single: “I was setting up a 12-string guitar and just started to play the chords. In the 60s bands like The Byrds were using 12-strings as a main instrument, so I was imagining that sort of sound – trying to play something that had that same type of feeling.”
Ille van Dessel adds, “Evan made the riff, I made the drums. It was very easy, almost just immediately done. I love the song because of the whole day behind it, its simplicity, how there’s nothing to overthink. It’s like when you get everyone lined up, you take a picture, and that’s it – it’ll always stay like that. It all made sense.”
On 5th September 2025, Ghostwoman will release a new album, “Welcome to the Civilized World”, featuring ‘Alive’. The duo’s fourth album is touched by personal tragedy; it’s a reaction to the world we are living in, a passionate response to modern times and modern challenges. Uschenko explains: “The album is inspired by the absurdity of human behaviour and the circus that is life: sometimes feels like being in a room with no floor – that’s where a lot of these songs come from.” This is absorbing music – check it out.
