{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Bandwich Tapes","title":"Ghost Hounds: Soul, Storytelling, and the Making of Justified","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2624,"description":"On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with SAVNT, lead singer of Ghost Hounds, for a conversation about the band’s new album Justified, vocal interpretation, storytelling, musical identity, and the unexpected path that brought him into the group.\n\nWe spend a lot of time talking about SAVNT’s approach as a singer. Sam Cooke was one of his earliest and most important influences, but his musical upbringing was much broader than any one genre. Soul, rock, country, and pop all existed together in his home, and that openness still shapes the way he hears music today. As SAVNT puts it during our conversation, “soul is not a genre, it’s a feeling.” That idea becomes a through line for much of the episode.\n\nWe also get deep into the songwriting and recording process behind Ghost Hounds. SAVNT talks about working with Thomas Tull, who often approaches songs almost like a screenwriter, building characters, circumstances, and emotional backstories before SAVNT ever steps to the microphone. From there, the challenge becomes finding that character’s truth and connecting it to something real in his own life. We talk about why he prefers singing complete takes in the studio and why he sometimes keeps recording even after everyone else thinks they already have the vocal.\n\nThe story of how SAVNT joined Ghost Hounds is remarkable. After deciding to leave New York and move to Denver, one final performance in Brooklyn put him in front of the band’s former lead singer, who recommended him for the job. Only months later, SAVNT was touring with The Rolling Stones, meeting artists including Lainey Wilson and Patty Griffin, and eventually performing at the Grand Ole Opry. He and drummer Sydney Driver even joined the band on the same day, giving both of them someone else to navigate that transition alongside.\n\nWe also break down several songs on Justified, including “Sinner’s Prayer,” “Pale Horse,” “Something Wicked,” “After You,” and the band’s versions of “Gimme Shelter,”...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QFMW95OurXh2a844O5x8rpuQjWhIarFc6PJ32ALtlII/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84ZjFm/MmEyY2I5NjliZDJi/NjYwN2E1ZjYwZGEy/NDMyZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}