If you’re someone who has a penchant for music which is a little bit ferocious, a little bit honest, and a whole lot of impactful, then you might have come across Chasing Ghosts over the years.
Originally, Chasing Ghosts was formed as a solo act by Jimmy Kyle, a Thungutti man who also happens to be a musician, storyteller, and educator up there with the best of them. Following Chasing Ghosts’ arrival, albums arrived in due course, and soon enough, it expanded into a full-band affair.
Records like Confessions From A Phone Booth and I Am Jimmy Kyle were followed by the Homelands EP, and in 2025, we received the Therapy album. I’m going to editorialise a little bit when I say that Therapy is a stunning record and one that is definitely worth your time.
Early this month, however, Chasing Ghosts revealed that they were going on an indefinite hiatus. Noting that “family has to come first,” Jimmy reflected on the impact that the band has had on both him and the wider community, and revealed that they wouldn’t be going out with a whimper, but with a bang.
Indeed, they announced one final show to take place at the Northcote Social Club this June, with the massive attention soon necessitating a second show.
This week, Jimmy was kind enough to join me for a wonderful chat, discussing his musical history, the story of Chasing Ghosts, and the impending hiatus. As a bit of a peek behind the curtain, my band will actually be supporting Chasing Ghosts at their second Northcote Social Club show, but this hadn’t been locked down while we were chatting.
Anyway, buy a ticket to Chasing Ghosts’ upcoming farewell show, listen back through that impressive discography, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Jimmy Kyle’s Trusty Chords
Jimmy’s One Influential Artist
- Paul Kelly
Jimmy’s Three Impactful Albums
- Midnight Oil – Diesel And Dust (1987)
- Johnny Cash – Bitter Tears: Ballads Of The American Indian (1964)
- Archie Roach – Charcoal Lane (1990)
Jimmy’s Five Trusty Songs
- Midnight Oil – ‘Beds Are Burning’ (1987)
- Midnight Oil – ‘The Dead Heart’ (1986)
- Archie Roach – ‘Down City Streets’ (1990)
- Archie Roach – ‘Walking Into Doors’ (1993)
- Archie Roach – ‘Took The Children Away’ (1990) Honourable Mentions:
- Johnny Cash – ‘As Long As The Grass Shall Grow’ (1964)
- Johnny Cash – ‘I Hung My Head’ (2002)