On January 27th, @Surrender The Ghost released a song about feeling stuck in the ruts of life. And in the time-honored tradition of emo and pop-punk bands everywhere, instead of giving it a title that actually reflects the lyrics, they chose to name it after everyone’s favorite deadpan diva, Aubrey Plaza.
Swemo
You guys definitely caught our attention with the title of this single "Love, Aubrey Plaza". Can you tell us about your history with Aubrey Plaza?
Ellis
Honestly, no. I had to sign an NDA after our encounter.
Ricky
I think she’s currently in the process of filing her second restraining order against me. But I believe we will work through it.
Tony
She broke up with me. She said I was too weird.
Swemo
What Aubrey Plaza role is your favorite?
Ellis
It’s hard to pick a singular role. She is incredible in everything she does. I most recently watched Honey Don’t. In the film she and Margaret Qualley have a torrid love affair. She’s a cop, she’s gorgeous, she’s psychotic. It’s my current favorite.
Bill
You kinda have to pick Parks & Rec! It’s iconic. I mean, they built that character around what she already brought to the table.
Brandon
She has been in a lot of pretty great shows and movies but to Bill’s point Parks & Rec is the answer! I will also recommend checking out her movie My Old Ass, though.
Tony
She played Sacagawea in Drunk History, and a nun in the movie The Little Hours. That was kinda hot, she also produced that one. Oh, also the show Legion, that show is crazy. I recommend it highly.
Ricky
To sum it up with a quote “time is money, money is power, power is pizza, pizza is knowledge. Let’s go”
Swemo
Looking lyrically, why is the song called “Love, Aubrey Plaza”?
Ellis
Brandon and I always love a good tongue-in-cheek song title. Not everyone else in STG does, so this one was a win for us.
Brandon
Going into the studio we didn’t have a name for the track. Our Engineer tentatively titled the song “Aubrey Plaza” and we loved it.
Ellis
The “Love” part of the title comes from a random beer run story. The short of it is the clerk showed me his Dolly Parton tattoo that he got after seeing her live. Dolly autographed his arm “Love, Dolly Parton” and as the story goes he went straight to a tattoo shop and had it inked permanently. Maybe the greatest tattoo story ever.
Swemo
Getting into the actual song, we've been very interested in how bands are handling recording in 2026. What did the recording sessions look like for this one?
Ellis
Our first priority when recording is to focus on having fun. Which isn’t as easy as it sounds when recording. “Love, Aubrey Plaza” was actually demoed out maybe two weeks before the studio. Some of the guitar work was even written in the studio. We spent two weekends at Amish Electric Chair recording about 2 hrs outside of Columbus, Ohio. It’s a full production recording studio with a great vibe. We had a great experience recording our previous EP Everything is Everything there. The setup is perfect for us with an apartment onsite for lodging. We did a lot of grilling, drinking, campfire hangs and some recording.
Swemo
The song speaks to feeling stuck in a lot of life circumstances, at one point even giving us the reminder that "the only way to the other side is through". Is there a real world circumstance that inspired these lyrics?
Ricky
I wrote those lyrics reflecting on my the progression of my life. Sometimes you feel like whatever you do, you’re still stuck in the same place. Other times you start a new experience and feel like you’re not enough. But I’ve learned over time that if you push yourself and stay consistent, you’ll make it through to the other side eventually. Sometimes it’s completely different than what you were expecting but in the best way possible.
Swemo
What's your advice for people who are feeling stuck and staring down a mountain of challenges in front of them?
Ricky
Rely on the people you trust the most. Build strong relationships and be there for others, they’ll return the favor. Time really does heal all, at least enough to learn and move onto the next challenge.
Bill
Just turn yourself in. There’s probably video of it. You can’t flee forever. Wait, was this more of a general question? Skip me.
Tony
Drink about it and keep it to yourself, never ever for any reason ever tell anyone about it for any reason ever. Be a man.
Ellis
Listen to Surrender The Ghost songs, hahahaha. I’m only kind of joking. I’m always blown away by Ricky’s lyrics and his ability to write something so personal and yet so relatable. The message of hope and happiness you find through perseverance and a will to simply not give up is incredibly inspiring. For instance “Fuck you and Fuck this City.” Hahahaha, that’s a joke.
Brandon
I’ll let you know when I figure it out.
Stream Surrender the Ghost's "Love, Aubrey Plaza" now!
