Exploring Wealth, Greed, and Heavy Rock: A Deep Dive into PHANTOM HOUND's Latest Album with JAKE NAVARRA

PHANTOM HOUND Promo Pic (2024) - COVER PHOTO

PHANTOM HOUND is set to unleash their latest album, From Boom Town to Ghost Town, on September 18th via Glory or Death Records. This album marks a significant evolution for the Oakland-based heavy rock trio, known for their fusion of heavy rock, doom psych, and sludge metal. Drawing from the rich history and evolving landscape of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, From Boom Town to Ghost Town weaves a narrative of wealth, greed, and societal upheaval. It’s an album that captures both the past and present of a city grappling with rapid change, packaged in a raw, immersive soundscape. PHANTOM HOUND has created a work that is not only musically compelling but thematically rich, offering a haunting reflection on the cyclical nature of fortune and decay.

In this latest release, PHANTOM HOUND continues to explore new sonic territories, building upon their previous works with a more focused and cohesive sound. The album is a testament to the band’s growth and their commitment to crafting music that resonates on a deeper level. With its mix of fuzzed-out grooves, intense guitar work, and intricate storytelling, From Boom Town to Ghost Town stands as PHANTOM HOUND‘s most complete project to date.

We spoke with JAKE NAVARRA, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, to discuss the new album, the band’s journey, and what fans can expect from their latest musical offering.

INFRARED MAG: Thank you for joining us, Jake. With From Boom Town to Ghost Town now on the brink of release, how does it feel to finally share this project with the world?

JAKE NAVARRA: Hey, what’s up, guys? First of all, thanks for reaching out. This is a momentous week for Phantom Hound. I love this feeling, and quite frankly, I live for it. Releasing a new record feels somewhat similar to having all your bags and gear packed for a backpacking trip or an expedition of any kind. You’ve gone over everything a million times, and all that’s left is just to get out there and do it. And then once it’s done, it’s out there forever. You’re no longer talking about doing it, but rather you’ve done it, and there’s no going back. Creatively, it’s a massive artistic release on the spiritual side, and there’s definitely a lasting sensation that leaves me in a deep state of personal balance.

INFRARED MAG: The album delves into the history and transformation of the Bay Area. How has your personal experience growing up there influenced the themes and sound of the album?

JAKE NAVARRA: I watched my hometown turn into the most expensive place to live in the entire country. I’ve watched my parents and friends move out of state. I’ve watched some of my favorite bars and restaurants go out of business. And I’ve watched hundreds of people move here with more money than they need, buy everything up overnight. During the pandemic, I wanted to write a record about our experience through that time, but it turned into a story of what also happened after the pandemic was over. We didn’t just have to deal with Covid either. The riots and crime that took place after the tragedy of George Floyd shattered businesses across town, and the entire state was on fire, raining ash for weeks on end. Oakland has also managed to lose all three of its major sports teams. In a nutshell, there’s been a lot going on in a very short amount of time.

INFRARED MAG: From Boom Town to Ghost Town has been described as your most complete release to date. What elements do you think contribute to this sense of completeness?

JAKE NAVARRA: After Mountain Pass, we knew we wanted to craft a more cohesive sound for this new venture. Steve adopted synthesizers on our very first day of quarantine practice, and we have never looked back. Over time I applied more delays and reverbs to the guitars, and Jack stepped up on backing vocals to deliver an all-around completeness on every front. We also spent about a year working on preproduction, ironing out each song, which allowed us to record the entire album in 4 days.

INFRARED MAG: The album explores themes like wealth, greed, and chaos. What do you hope listeners take away from these narratives?

JAKE NAVARRA: There are a lot of musicians out there who boast about their wealth, but at a certain point, it all just becomes noise for the rest of us, in my humble opinion. The fact of the matter is when there’s money on the table, people will claw tooth and nail over one another to get it, and I think we’ve seen history repeat itself again and again if you just rewind the clock a bit. California is a prime example of that.

INFRARED MAG: Tracks like “Gold Fever” seem to capture the spirit of both the gold rush era and modern-day challenges. How did you approach this storytelling in your songwriting?

JAKE NAVARRA: This song was very personal to me when it was written. Our first album, Mountain Pass, was launched days before the pandemic put us into lockdown. Instead of touring our first record with my bandmates, we were watching the world fall apart. In some ways, the lyrics in Gold Fever represent the band just continuing to work and swing the axe. In some ways, it represents the people who don’t know when to stop, like the many billionaires funding their own space shuttles and buying up Hawaiian Islands for bomb shelters.

INFRARED MAG: How does From Boom Town to Ghost Town differentiate itself musically from your previous releases like Mountain Pass?

JAKE NAVARRA: It is a significantly more focused and expansive sound. Mountain Pass consists of 4 guitar tunings on multiple guitars, whereas Boom Town is only written in one, for example. The idea for this album was to really clean up the sound as well as expanding outward with how the record radiates, like the way gold catches a flicker of light.

INFRARED MAG: Can you share some insights into the recording process for this album, especially working with producer Chris Hughes again?

JAKE NAVARRA: Chris is the best. He spent over a year waiting patiently for us to feel comfortable with each track. We brought him in very early on and had him involved with the song growth as each demo replaced a previous version of itself. With Steve’s help during pre-production, we practiced each song to a click and ironed everything out, making some significant changes to song structures along the way for the better. In the end, it felt like we took a hot iron to the album and had the whole thing consistent from top to bottom with that process. We rehearsed so well going into the sessions we ended up recording the record in 4 days. It was the most relaxing session I’ve been a part of to date.

INFRARED MAG: The album artwork is striking. How did Diogo Soares’ visual narrative contribute to the overall concept of the album?

JAKE NAVARRA: Much like Chris, I brought Diogo on very early in the project, and I can’t give him enough credit. He is one of the single most hard-working individuals I have ever met in my life, and it means the world to me to have the good fortune of having his presence woven into this album. Together, we built the idea of a newspaper-like design that tells the stories of the past, present, and future. In some areas, we collaborated on a conceptual level, but the artwork for this record could not have been achieved by anyone else, and I don’t think anybody will ever truly understand how much work went into it other than Diogo and I, ha-ha. But I’ll be gripping it tightly on my death bed someday because it’s coming to the afterlife with me, I can tell you that. I also recommend picking up a copy of the LP for the full gatefold experience of Diogo’s work as well. There are more historical easter eggs in there that you need to see with your own eyes.

INFRARED MAG: Phantom Hound blends heavy rock, doom psych, and sludge metal. How do you navigate these genres to create a cohesive sound?

JAKE NAVARRA: This remains to be a moving target, ha-ha. Whenever I approach the songwriting process, my overall goal is not to write the same song eight times but to have different types of song experiences. I like a good and short banger of a single, but I like interludes and long epics as well. When I go back and listen to the records that inspire me, they are full of different flavors like that. In short, if you’re going to try and do something, do it the best you can and allow it the space to breathe.

INFRARED MAG: “From Boom Town to Ghost Town” tells stories from the gold rush over a glass of whiskey. How do you think this blend of history and heavy rock resonates with your audience?

JAKE NAVARRA: Honestly, I have no idea, ha-ha. A lot of people don’t like history. But I think sooner or later, folks stop and reflect on what it took for people to accomplish certain things not that long ago without the efficiency of modern-day technology. I also feel like enough bands are singing about demons and smoking weed. I don’t want to compete with that. Instead, I want to tell you about Joe Hooch Simpson and how he lost his head somewhere in the desert 116 years ago.

INFRARED MAG: Your sound has evolved since forming as “Hound” in 2013. How do you feel your music has grown leading up to this album?

JAKE NAVARRA: I feel it’s done exactly that. It’s “Grown.” Some people might say your sound has changed, but to me, bands are like trees. The trunk is firmly planted into the earth at its original foundation, but the branches have to keep reaching for the sunlight to stay alive.

INFRARED MAG: The band is gearing up for the “Gold Fever Tour.” What can fans expect from your live performances this time around?

JAKE NAVARRA: We’re excited to get out on the road and spread the good word about our new record. I can tell you that. They can expect my 100-watt Orange Full Stack, Jack’s DW’s, and Steve’s maple baseball bat Music Man calls a bass guitar. We’re looking forward to letting it rip and having a good time with everyone and making new friends on the road. Of course, we got a few surprises up our sleeves for y’all but you’re going to have to come catch us to find out.

INFRARED MAG: Songs like “Eyes Upon Riches” and “Waterways (The Motherlode)” showcase a mix of raw energy and melodic intricacies. How do you achieve this balance in your music?

JAKE NAVARRA: When it comes to band practice, one rule I live by is that there’s always time to write. Some songs happen fast and write themselves but sometimes the others need time in the smoker like a good brisket. It’s healthy to record demos and then listen and discuss them, find out what you like and what you don’t like, and then share those thoughts with your bandmates so everyone is on the same page. A different perspective can be just as impactful as agreeing on the same detail and knowing you are on the same page as your bandmates. These two tracks kept evolving from the time they were born until we recorded them last summer.

INFRARED MAG: Since From Boom Town to Ghost Town is almost here, how has the fan reaction been to the singles released so far?

JAKE NAVARRA: The reaction so far has been incredible. We can’t thank everyone enough for supporting the band and sticking with us. It’s been incredibly humbling, and we can’t wait until the 18th for the full record drop so everyone can really dig into it.

INFRARED MAG: With your DIY approach and recent partnership with Glory or Death Records, what challenges and rewards have you encountered in bringing this album to life?

JAKE NAVARRA: We have a saying in our band. “Do Nothing Get Nothing, Do Something Get Something.” We are all hard-working individuals with careers and families and do this because we love making music. We’re also willing to do it ourselves and carry the load if need be. I think those who are close to us can feel the radiance of our collective work ethic and I’m a firm believer in how that energy can draw in the people you want to work with who think and operate on similar levels. Chris, Diogo, and now Buddy, Tyler, & Ygor over at Glory or Death Records. These guys gave a shot and so were giving them our maximum effort. I also can’t thank them enough for going above and beyond with their support and belief in our sophomore album. We’re honored to be a part of the family.

INFRARED MAG: Your lyrics often have a darker edge. How do you find the right mood and atmosphere to match the lyrical content?

JAKE NAVARRA: I like to spend time with the words and see how they perform with the guitar. Often, when inspiration strikes, the first verse comes very easily. I tend to spend a lot of time playing with the second and third verses to make sure I’m happy with each line in a song. When I’m really working on a song, I’ll escape to that song and live in it and obsess over it as well; I’m noticing, ha-ha. Sometimes, I can’t put them down until the words fit like puzzle pieces.

INFRARED MAG: Improvisation seems integral to your genre. How does it play a role in your songwriting and live performances?

JAKE NAVARRA: A lot of tunes started from improv in the rehearsal studio and have found their way into cohesive existence. Waterways is a great example of that. We try to maintain the soul of those improv jams every time we play live to stay true to the origin of each song.

INFRARED MAG: What influence do you draw from genres like stoner rock, grunge, and blues, and how do these shape your music?

JAKE NAVARRA: Anything and everything, really. In its DNA, probably tone and attitude, ha-ha. I think once you’ve listened to enough music that when you go to write, you can almost summon an inspirational idea like having the right tool for the job.

INFRARED MAG: What’s next for Phantom Hound after the release of this album and the “Gold Fever Tour”? Are there any new projects or surprises on the horizon?

JAKE NAVARRA: We have a new horizon approaching with a lot of fun ideas on the table. There are a lot of riffs in the garden that I need to tend to over winter. We’re incredibly excited to see how the new record resonates with everyone and to see what the future brings, that’s for sure.

From Boom Town to Ghost Town is more than just an album; it’s a journey through the tumultuous history and modern realities of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, filtered through the band’s unique blend of heavy rock, doom psych, and sludge metal. With its thematic depth and musical intensity, the album captures the spirit of a region that has seen both the heights of prosperity and the depths of despair. As PHANTOM HOUND prepares to take this album on the road with their “Gold Fever Tour,” they are set to bring their powerful storytelling and electrifying performances to audiences eager for an authentic rock experience.

The band’s evolution since their inception in 2013 as “Hound” is evident in this new release, showcasing a refined sound that balances raw energy with melodic intricacies. This journey has been marked by growth, both in their music and in their approach to storytelling. Through our conversation with JAKE NAVARRA, it’s clear that PHANTOM HOUND is a band that not only draws from the past but also looks forward with a bold vision for their future. As they continue to navigate the intersections of history, personal experience, and musical innovation, PHANTOM HOUND remains a compelling force in the heavy rock scene.

With From Boom Town to Ghost Town, the band offers a glimpse into their world, one that is as gritty and honest as the music they create. Their commitment to delivering an unfiltered narrative, paired with a dynamic sound, ensures that PHANTOM HOUND‘s place in the genre is not just well-deserved but continually evolving. As they embark on this new chapter, fans and new listeners alike can anticipate a thrilling continuation of their story, both on stage and beyond.