It is truly a testament to their enduring connection with fans that Giovannie and the Hired Guns continue to thrive on the road. Recently, frontman Giovannie Yanez sat down with Loudwire Nights to reflect on the band’s journey, the evolution of his songwriting, and the spontaneous creation of their latest single, “Cheap Date.”
From Pawn Shop to National Stages
While the band has been a fixture in the scene for some time, Yanez marks 2019 as the pivotal turning point. Before the music became a full-time career, Yanez navigated a variety of jobs, including a stint at a local pawn shop in Stephenville, Texas. “I used to work at a pawn shop, I had all these miscellaneous jobs,” he shared. The transition from playing local parties to signing with a booking agency felt surreal. “2019 was that moment of like, holy crap dude, I don’t have to work anymore?”
Music, however, was always in his blood. Growing up, he was surrounded by the influence of his uncles, who performed in Tejano and Norteño bands. Yanez picked up his first guitar at 13, teaching himself on a classical instrument using a pick—a technique he noted was inspired by the legendary Willie Nelson.
The Spontaneous Creation of ‘Cheap Date’
Following the release of their 2025 album Quitter, Yanez found himself in a reflective headspace. The band’s latest track, “Cheap Date,” emerged from an unexpected opportunity during a studio session. A collaborator mentioned an unfinished song that had been sitting on the shelf for two years, waiting for the right voice.
“Load it up. Let me hear it,” Yanez recalled saying. The chemistry was immediate. The band finished the track in roughly 15 to 30 minutes, a process Yanez described as “boom, boom, boom, done.” When they played it back, the realization that they had captured something special was unanimous.
Looking Toward the Future
As for what lies ahead, Yanez feels his songwriting has reached a new level of maturity. He views the upcoming album as a culmination of everything he wanted to express during the Quitter era but couldn’t quite articulate at the time. With a clear vision and a refreshed perspective, he is eager to share this new chapter with fans, promising a release before the summer of next year.
Giovannie Yanez joined Loudwire Nights on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
