When Nate Wilson started his own side project he chose a simple name: The Nate Wilson Group. But when the side project became a full-time project, Wilson needed a catchier name. NWG, which formed five years ago, is now known as The Ghosts of Jupiter. The band consists of Wilson (keyboards and lead vocals) guitarists Adam Terrell and Johnny Trama, bassist Tommy Lada (also known as Steve-Dave) and drummer Tommy Arey. Not Including Wilson, only two original members – Terell and Arey – remain since its formation.

Previously, Wilson was a founding member of Percy Hill from 1993-2002 before joining Assembly of Dust from 2002-2009. Wilson, who grew up in the rural town of Sutton NH, attended the University of New Hampshire and obtained a masters degree from New England Conservatory. Jambands.com interviewed Wilson to discuss the current state of Ghosts of Jupiter, how his playing style has changed, and his days with Percy Hill and AOD.

Ghosts of Jupiter have a new digital EP, Green is Gold Vol 1, set for release and will celebrate this with a release event at Brighton Music Hall on April 26th. Everyone who attends will receive a complimentary download of the record.

Why did you decide to change the band’s name? And how did you end up with Ghosts of Jupiter?

It was our intention to have a proper band name for a while. The band started as a side-project originally, but when it became a more serious endeavor, and when we thought we had a solid line-up and a solid direction, we decided it was high time. Turns out naming a band isn’t easy so it took us a while to decide on something. Ghosts of Jupiter is the name of one of my songs which was inspired loosely by some lines in the poem “Prometheus Unbound” by Percy Shelley. But mostly we just thought it suited our music.

How did you come to the realization that your side-project would become a serious endeavor?

Probably during the recording of our first album Unbound. It was under the name Nate Wilson Group; before Steve-Dave and Johnny were in the band. But during that recording process I think we really formed the concept of the band and I knew at that point that I wanted to pursue the band to the fullest.

You have had several lineup changes over the years, how has that affected the development of the band?

It’s really only helped. Every time we’ve been in need, the perfect person seems to have come out of the woodwork. First Steve-Dave and then Johnny. But honestly I really haven’t given it much thought since the five of us have been together for a while now.

Are you confident that the lineup you have now, will be the band moving forward?

Yes.

Can you talk about the newest members: guitarist Johnny Trama and bassist Tommy Lada.

They’re both terrific musicians who really understand the direction of the band. But most of the time in a band camaraderie is just as important as anything else Those two are great to have around and its really solidified things on a personal level.

What role have Adam and Tom, two original members, played over the years?

I’ve been working with Adam forever so its really easy to communicate on a musical level with someone you know so well. Tom is just a fantastic drummer. He really cares about the music from a songwriting standpoint, so we work together on the arrangements of the tunes. We keep getting better at it each time we’re in the studio.

Is it harder then you expected it to be, when you’re the man in charge?

Honestly, the hard part is all the non-musical stuff you have to deal with as a musician. I’ve gone from being super-reluctant to just regular reluctant and it’s only out of necessity. We’ve been fortunate in the last year or so to be able to partner with a really great management agency as well as a booking agency, so now some of that stuff is off my plate I’m able to focus more on what I know. The musical side of it comes easy, I’m just always trying to find something new to push the band’s music ahead.

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