I'm Derek Cloakwood, a musician, songwriter and animator. I've been performing and writing music for years, and The Man with the Ghost Guitar is my first animated project.

I've always noticed that musicians rarely get to be the hero in fictional stories, so I decided to make one. I write the songs first, record them, then draw and animate the visuals to bring the story to life — working out of my studio between gigs and rides. I'm also lucky to have some incredible musician friends, and many of them have lent their talents to help bring this project to life.

The music sits at the intersection of rock and roll and blues-inspired guitar work, with the kind of soulful vocals that people who've heard me play tend to remember. Each song is written to stand on its own, but together they connect into a larger story across the season. Season 1, Origins, is streaming on my YouTube channel.

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The visual world draws on the Southwestern landscape and the neo-Western tradition — dusty saloons, red rock formations, long roads, and a traveling musician riding a motorcycle called the Dark Horse. There's a supernatural thread running through everything that Season 1 will reveal in its own time.

I make this work because it's my passion. Not because there's a formula, or an algorithm to chase, or a market I'm trying to hit. Just an animated Western rock series that I would want to watch and listen to, made by hand.

If you like what I'm making, the best way to follow the journey is to subscribe to The Man with the Ghost Guitar on YouTube. You can also join the mailing list for updates whenever a new episode or song is released.

The music from The Man with the Ghost Guitar is also coming soon to Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms.

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