Ghost Hounds pack a hefty punch with their epic sound. Fronted by SAVNT and featuing the talents of guitarists Tyler Chiarelli and Thomas Tull, fiddler Kristin Weber, bassist Bennett Miller, and drummer Sydney Driver, the band churns out propulsive arena-ready music. That’s probably why they’ve already opened for the likes of The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, Guns N’ Roses, and Bob Seger. Four albums in, SAVNT took the time to tell us about some of his most precious memories, the band’s new song “You’ll Never Find Me,” and staying grounded through the whirlwind of excitement.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
We have some extremely talented fans so this is hard! I’m torn so let me tell you about my two favorite gifts. Frederico is an incredible graphic artist in Argentina and he made me this dope movie poster inspired by our single “You’ll Never Find Me” and I think it shocked the entire band! It’s something I’m going to have framed in my house.
I also met an incredible fan named Larry while we opened for the Stones in Vancouver. He literally took the jacket off his back and gave it to me. It was a custom made white sequin blazer with the Stones logo in red on the back, it’s something I’m going to cherish forever.
Do you have any go-to albums to listen to in the van?
Go to albums would have to be More Thank You Think You Are by Matchbox Twenty, Empathogen by Willow, Blue Electric Light by Lenny Kravitz, Unreal Unearth: Unaired by Hozier.
Outside of that I listen to the same playlist on repeat with some of my favorites like The Red Clay Strays, Marcus King, The War and Treaty, The Teskey Brothers, Lainey Wilson and The Rolling Stones.
Tell us about your favorite show you’ve ever played.
Vancouver was my first international show and to say it was amazing would be a huge understatement. Though the city was buzzing it was no match for the electricity and love I received from that crowd. When we performed our latest single “You’ll Never Find Me” the crowd erupted with an energy that almost felt tangible. It was in that moment when I realized I was actively living the dreams and the prayers of little Savnt… I finally felt as though I was making him proud! Needless to say, it was an experience I am going to remember forever.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
At the risk of sounding biased, I’d say “Long Ride Home” by Patty Griffin is a perfectly written song. I also feel similarly about Lainey Wilson’s “Whiskey Colored Crayon.” Both of these songs take you on a journey through this person’s life and paints pictures so vividly that even if you haven’t experienced that specific emotion the listener can still somehow feel exactly what they are saying. Songs like that are works of art in their own right.
How do you manage having a good time at shows, but also trying to stay mentally and physically fit?
It’s all about balance, of course I work out and pray before every performance but I also carve out time to have fun with the band and any family or friends who come to a show. The best thing I can do for my mental health is to stay grounded and joke around as much as I can – keep the energy light. For my physical health I do my best to stick to my strength training, cardio and vocal warmup routine.
