Chicago-based band friend of a Friend,comprised of Claire Molek and Jason Savsani,stumbled into the experience of⁢ a lifetime while recording their latest album,Desire! The duo,who connected through a mutual friend during‍ the COVID-19 pandemic,found themselves making music in⁤ one of America’s most infamous haunted houses without initially knowing its history.

molek, an arts dealer and former choir singer, and ⁢Savsani, ⁤a guitarist and tech entrepreneur, quickly bonded over shared musical tastes and a similar drive. they channeled influences from Beach House, PJ Harvey, and Radiohead into their unique sound, releasing three albums in as many years. Their latest project took an unexpected turn when they ⁢unknowingly booked a stay at the “Watseka Wonder,” a Victorian mansion with ⁢a history of paranormal activity.

The band ⁣sought a location closer to home after recording previous albums in Nashville and⁢ Joshua Tree. They wanted a place ⁤with character, a ⁢decent kitchen, and enough space for their producer and drummer. The⁤ Airbnb listing seemed perfect, despite a few cryptic reviews.Molek recalls seeing comments like, “I really wish I would have known⁢ about this because I wouldn’t have brought my children,” ⁤but⁤ dismissed them as reactions to an old house.

Savsani remembers ⁢thinking the house would have cool acoustics. Though, upon arrival, ⁤they immediately sensed ⁤something was off.Their producer, Jordan Lawler,⁤ refused to sleep upstairs after the first night, claiming he would camp on the couch instead. The band reported strange⁢ creaks, unexplainable noises, and an overwhelming feeling of being watched.

Drummer Jessica Burdeaux researched whether spirits could ‍attach to a person before entering a haunted location. Savsani, who believes he stayed in the former‍ bedroom of a possessed girl, found ‍it tough to‍ sleep. He spent nights recording ⁢in a⁣ cork-lined room, feeling phantom ⁣brushes against his hair.

Three days into⁣ their stay,the⁢ homeowner called to warn them about⁣ the ⁤house’s reputation. He downplayed the haunting as “some 19th-century spiritualists doing seances,” but admitted that townspeople might ⁣urge them to leave. Savsani kept this data to himself, not ⁢wanting to further alarm the others.

Despite the unsettling atmosphere,the band ⁣persevered. Molek said the experience became a collaborator, informing the album in unexpected ways. Sketches she had drawn for ⁢the album⁣ cover mirrored ‍the final ⁢artwork, created by an artist who had never seen her drawings.

The influence of the house can be heard in tracks like “Gloria” and “FTV (For The Vein),” where‍ Molek’s vocals sound otherworldly. Savsani said they captured organic noises from ‍the house by simply turning on a microphone and letting it record the shadows.

Molek focused on creating a positive environment, adjusting the⁣ furniture and adorning statues. She hoped to create a safe space for the spirits of the girls connected to the house’s history.

After returning to Chicago, Savsani dreamed ⁤of helping Lurancy Vennum leave her room, feeling a sense of closure. While the⁣ experience⁢ left⁤ a mark,the band is happy with the album. Savsani said the adversity strengthened them, emphasizing the power of beauty and hope.

Looking ⁢ahead, Friend of a Friend plans to record their next ⁢album by the Italian seaside. However, they’ve added a new clause to their rider: no haunted locations.