Sister Ghost

Sister Ghost

Sister Ghost is the project of Derry-based artist Shannon Delores O'Neill, who has also been part of Puerile Honey and Vanilla Gloom. O'Neill starts the project after years of playing in bands from the age of 12, using it as a way to work in her own style.

Music and recording

Sister Ghost makes noisy art-rock with garage rock and garage punk elements, drawing on a pop and literary sensibility. O'Neill begins by writing and demoing songs in her attic, recording vocals and every instrument herself on an 8-track recorder. The project takes influence from the Seattle sound as well as Sonic Youth, Veruca Salt, Patti Smith and Kate Bush.

Activity and recognition

Sister Ghost wins Best Live Act at the NI Music Awards in 2019. The project releases music on Dead Grrrl Records and receives airplay on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 1. It also appears in press coverage from The Guardian and supports acts including We Are Scientists, Ratboys, Shellac, Pussy Riot, Petrol Girls, Fontaines DC and Le Butcherettes.

Community work

O'Neill is recognised for mentoring and encouraging female and non-binary musicians in the Northern Irish scene. She also sets up the Girls Rock! NI chapter in 2016.