Lightning Strike/Phantom Forest

'Fear. As a catalyst for change or a creative muse, you can’t do much better. It guides the hands of both politicians and artists, shaping policy and unlocking hidden talents. Kansas City’s Aaron Hale and the Boy Detectives are putting fear to good use on their self-released EP Lightening Strike/Phantom Forest by coming to terms with everything that scares them. It’s a long list that includes tangibles such as wolves and bears, but also the infinitely more frightening unknown.

With Hale fear isn’t a metaphor for all things negative. He isn’t trying to espouse the same lazy philosophy as Patrick Swayze’s creepy character from “Donnie Darko.” Nor is he interested in exploring the unending range of emotional complexity as was that film’s titular character. Hale’s fears are simply that which keep him up at night, and Lightening Strike/Phantom Forest is his cathartic release.' -INK Magazine