If you're a fan of heavy stoner doom, and you haven't heard of Goya yet, go ahead and jump over to their BandCamp page to familiarize yourself with their tunes. Once you get to Obelisk, their latest set of sticky musical slabs, hop back over here to read this interview with guitarist/vocalist Jeff Owens.
The Burning Beard: Hi there, and thanks very much for taking some time to answer our questions! And another big thanks for sticking a quote from us right at the top of the praise for Obelisk on your BandCamp page, it's a truly fantastic album. How are you and the rest of the guys in the band doing these days?
Jeff Owens: Thanks for taking the time to interview me! Things are going well with us. Keeping as busier with the band than ever, which is great. There isn't anything in life more satisfying than playing music.
TBB: Any albums that have really caught your attention lately?
Jeff: Too many. It's been a great year, and so many bands released killer albums. Amigo The Devil, Iron Maiden, High on Fire, and so many others. I'm very eager to hear Baroness' new album. The first single from it is phenomenal, not surprisingly.
Jeff Owens: Thanks for taking the time to interview me! Things are going well with us. Keeping as busier with the band than ever, which is great. There isn't anything in life more satisfying than playing music.
TBB: Any albums that have really caught your attention lately?
Jeff: Too many. It's been a great year, and so many bands released killer albums. Amigo The Devil, Iron Maiden, High on Fire, and so many others. I'm very eager to hear Baroness' new album. The first single from it is phenomenal, not surprisingly.
TBB: Anything you've picked up lately (movie, book, album, etc.) that you had high hopes for, but it ended up disappointing you?
Jeff: Honestly, not really. Over the years, I've learned to keep my expectations low so that I'm not disappointed. One movie that did not disappoint at all though: The Green Inferno.
TBB: Given how well your split with Wounded Giant was received, how would you feel about doing another split? Are there any bands in particular you'd like to team up with for that?
Jeff: I think we would be happy to do one, if it made sense. If we could get someone to put out a Dead Canyon/Goya split or an In The Company Of Serpents/Goya split, that would be awesome. There are a lot of bands we would be happy to do a split with.
TBB: In one of your interviews with The Sludgelord, you mentioned Alan Moore's graphic novel From Hell, AC/DC's Highway to Hell, and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" as influences on the writing and mood of Obelisk. Was there anything you switched over to as a sort of breather or refreshment in between finishing the recording and getting ready to head back to live shows?
Jeff: Of the influences you mentioned, From Hell was the most prominent one. As far as having time to read anything since then, I sadly really haven't, as there is just a lot to occupy my free time right now. I keep thinking about disappearing for a few years to catch up on reading!
TBB: Any stand-out memories from live shows you'd care to share with us?
Jeff: Haha. The first one that comes to mind is when we played Carlsbad. We were the headliner that night, and about two songs in, we got asked to turn down by the sound guy because people were trying to play pool and hang out. Without even thinking about what I was saying, I asked him, "Turn down for what?" It's almost 9 months later and we're still laughing about that one. We ended up turning off and stopping because they wouldn't let us play at the same volume we practice at.
Jeff: Honestly, not really. Over the years, I've learned to keep my expectations low so that I'm not disappointed. One movie that did not disappoint at all though: The Green Inferno.
TBB: Given how well your split with Wounded Giant was received, how would you feel about doing another split? Are there any bands in particular you'd like to team up with for that?
Jeff: I think we would be happy to do one, if it made sense. If we could get someone to put out a Dead Canyon/Goya split or an In The Company Of Serpents/Goya split, that would be awesome. There are a lot of bands we would be happy to do a split with.
TBB: In one of your interviews with The Sludgelord, you mentioned Alan Moore's graphic novel From Hell, AC/DC's Highway to Hell, and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" as influences on the writing and mood of Obelisk. Was there anything you switched over to as a sort of breather or refreshment in between finishing the recording and getting ready to head back to live shows?
Jeff: Of the influences you mentioned, From Hell was the most prominent one. As far as having time to read anything since then, I sadly really haven't, as there is just a lot to occupy my free time right now. I keep thinking about disappearing for a few years to catch up on reading!
TBB: Any stand-out memories from live shows you'd care to share with us?
Jeff: Haha. The first one that comes to mind is when we played Carlsbad. We were the headliner that night, and about two songs in, we got asked to turn down by the sound guy because people were trying to play pool and hang out. Without even thinking about what I was saying, I asked him, "Turn down for what?" It's almost 9 months later and we're still laughing about that one. We ended up turning off and stopping because they wouldn't let us play at the same volume we practice at.
I saw that Black Pussy played the same venue recently and seemed to have a good time. I guess if you're not singing, "Fuck you, I know you're gonna die," and if you have a bunch of really cool gear, and aren't a no-name band from Arizona, people are a little more tolerant of you, which is understandable.
TBB: How have you felt about the album's reception since its release?
Jeff: Man, it's been great. So many flattering reviews coming in. When you're so close to something, it can be difficult to get an objective perspective on it, so I know I was really curious about what people would think of this album, though we were all very proud of it. We are all really stoked that people like it!
TBB: Have you started pulling together ideas for the next album yet? If so, can you share some vague hints about what direction you're feeling at this point?
Jeff: We have actually started putting together ideas for the album after the next one already! Things seem to be getting a bit more Sabbath heavy, with more of a rock and roll vibe, but we all consider it important to retain the darkness that Goya has had up to this point. We hope to make things darker, as they progress, but that could manifest in a lot of different ways. The first of the two albums we're working on right now is called Harvester Of Bongloads. The lyrics aren't quite done yet, and it may or may not be a concept record, like Obelisk is. After Obelisk, I would really love to just step back and do what comes naturally. But it turns out that what comes naturally is making things complex. I think HOB is going to be somewhere between the Satan's Fire EP and Obelisk.
TBB: What are Goya's plans for the near future?
Jeff: We're really focused on new material, at the moment. At the time of this writing, we have 2 shows left in 2015, then we are taking a break to get the next album completely fleshed out. We also are finally wrapping up our tune for the Planet of Doom film, and we have a 7" at the presses right now.
TBB: How have you felt about the album's reception since its release?
Jeff: Man, it's been great. So many flattering reviews coming in. When you're so close to something, it can be difficult to get an objective perspective on it, so I know I was really curious about what people would think of this album, though we were all very proud of it. We are all really stoked that people like it!
TBB: Have you started pulling together ideas for the next album yet? If so, can you share some vague hints about what direction you're feeling at this point?
Jeff: We have actually started putting together ideas for the album after the next one already! Things seem to be getting a bit more Sabbath heavy, with more of a rock and roll vibe, but we all consider it important to retain the darkness that Goya has had up to this point. We hope to make things darker, as they progress, but that could manifest in a lot of different ways. The first of the two albums we're working on right now is called Harvester Of Bongloads. The lyrics aren't quite done yet, and it may or may not be a concept record, like Obelisk is. After Obelisk, I would really love to just step back and do what comes naturally. But it turns out that what comes naturally is making things complex. I think HOB is going to be somewhere between the Satan's Fire EP and Obelisk.
TBB: What are Goya's plans for the near future?
Jeff: We're really focused on new material, at the moment. At the time of this writing, we have 2 shows left in 2015, then we are taking a break to get the next album completely fleshed out. We also are finally wrapping up our tune for the Planet of Doom film, and we have a 7" at the presses right now.
TBB: Anything else you'd like to say to our readers?
Jeff: Thanks for taking the time to read this!
TBB: Thanks again for your time and the music!
Jeff: Thank you!
Jeff: Thanks for taking the time to read this!
TBB: Thanks again for your time and the music!
Jeff: Thank you!
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