Todd talks to Tryg Littlefield from Fall From Grace about the new release “The Romance Years” and more.
ToddStar: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for The Rockpit. If it is okay, I would love to jump right into discussing your newest release, The Romance Years. I find myself keeping it in my normal rotation of albums I am listening to ever since I first heard it. What can you briefly tell us about that disc, that most people may not know on the surface?
Tryg: The Romance Years is Fall From Grace’s “Glory Days” of our band, and the eight years we’ve been around. When we first started working on this album, we didn’t know if it would even get released, so we decided to a different type of record. It’s a more mature, thought out, polished album then that of our past discography. I’m more proud of this record than any other one we’ve recorded and released.
ToddStar: The new disc has several of the same basic components as your earlier releases. In your opinion, in what ways does it vary from earlier releases? What elements from other discs did you intentionally carry over to this effort?
Tryg: When I started working on this record, I didn’t carry anything from the past records. Being that Brian Olson and myself have always been the main song writers since the beginning, so of course it’s always going to sound like Fall From Grace. However, we wanted to take a more mature direction with this record. A milder, slower, more melodic approach.
ToddStar: How do you describe the difference in sound, sonically, in the band between your releases?
Tryg: Well, our first two albums ‘Rise From The Ashes’ and ‘Covered in Scars’ was Fall From Grace creating our sound. By ‘Sifting Through The Wreckage’ we were starting to refine it, by bringing in Mike Caviezel as a third party. And by the time we did The Romance Years, I feel like we evolved into true musicians. The next record will show everyone our next evolution, which I can’t wait for everyone to see!
ToddStar: What types of writing, production, and studio experiences that you learned while making previous discs did you know you wanted to carry over to this disc? Which did you know to scrap and move on?
Tryg: Honestly, in the beginning I thought more was better. More vocal parts, tons of guitars, percussion, etc. I thought quantity meant quality. What I’ve learned is it’s quality over quantity any day! Guitars can be less, just get a KILLER guitar tone! Vocals? Do maybe one harmony and you’re good. Just focus on getting great tones and make sure there’s a song there. You can’t polish a turd!
Are there any favorites of yours that you find yourself going back to? Any you wish came out sounding different?
Tryg: I’m totally happy with the outcome of this record, however the only thing I wished would be different is that the 3 new members who joined after the record was completed, I wished they had been on the record. Everyone in the band has their own favorite track, of course, but honestly that’s like asking a Mother of 12, “who’s your favorite child?” They’re all good in their own way, and we love them all collectively.
ToddStar: Regarding The Romance Years, were any of the songs easier to write than others? You often hear about an artist that sat down to write a song and that essentially the song wrote itself. Were any of the songs difficult to get out? If so, which?
Tryg: “Your Majesty” was written in one day. “The Resurrection” took almost one month. Sometimes they pop out, sometimes they’re work. “Maybe I’m Outa My Head” also took a month. “Great Expectations” took a matter of hours. There’s no formula, a good song is a good song. Some take blood sweat and beers, others are done in your head before you physically write a note or a lyric.
ToddStar: Are any of the new songs being better received than others? I know the critics and reviewers speak of their favorites, but what are the fans and live crowds reacting positively to?
Tryg: Fans in the 75 days we were out (ed: with Eve 6 and Saving Abel) loved everything we played! Granted they weren’t familiar to our songs beforehand, so it was all new to them. However, they loved all of the songs we threw at them! Not one bad comment, other than “We wished you played (old song title here) form your last record.”
ToddStar: After going back and checking out your back catalog after falling into this one, I find that your music is sonically consistent, but there are still sublet changes that show growth as a band. Having been at this for eight years, do you still feel and hear the growth in this band?
Tryg: Absolutely! I’ve challenged myself to continue to evolve as a musician and a person. The Romance Years reflect a huge transition in my life.
ToddStar: If you had to describe the sound of Fall From Grace to someone who had never heard of you, how would you do that?
Tryg: This is really difficult…but if I had to say to someone that has never heard Fall From Grace before, I’d say we’re a mixture of the new Green Day and old Motley Crue.
ToddStar: When performing live, do you find that you mix the material evenly from your earlier albums, or do you tend to play more of the newer material? Are there any songs from your earlier releases that you feel will always be a part of your live show?
Tryg: Not any more. Our live show, for me, is a representation of our new music. We released a rock record with The Romance Years, and due to the tours we were on, I wanted to market who we are at this point and time. We only played new material.
ToddStar: If you had to pick possible pairings for an ideal tour, what other bands would you like to see Fall From Grace out on the road with?
Tryg: Foo Fighters, hands down. And Jimmy Eat World. And Prince!
ToddStar: What is next for Fall From Grace?
Tryg: We’re writing a new record now, and more touring! Keep your eyes and ears open for us coming to a venue near you!!
ToddStar: Do you find any of the other arts affect your music or the way you approach writing, recording, or playing live with Fall From Grace?
Tryg: Absolutely! Burlesque, musical theatre, and acting…these are things that I am into. As our band grows, you can expect to see some wackiness come out from my head to our live show for sure!
ToddStar: Are there any bands that are currently releasing music or touring that influence you personally or professionally? What is the last CD/mp3 album you listened to?
Tryg: Top 3 musical influences: Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, and Queen. I am currently listening to the new Saving Abel album ‘Bringing Down The Giant,’ from being on the road with them over the course of the last 3 months.
ToddStar: If there were one piece of music in the history of time that you wish you had written, what would it be and why?
Tryg: The score to A Nightmare Before Christmas. I wish I were as talented as Danny Elfman!
ToddStar: What is the meaning of life?
Tryg: You gotta figure that out on your own! Like Curly says in City Slickers, “It’s just one thing.” It’s different for every man. You have to find out what that one thing is for you, and you alone.
ToddStar: Other than making sure everyone checks out your website and facebook, are there any other current projects or sites you would like to promote?
Tryg: No, just check us out at:
http://www.facebook.com/fallfromgracemusic
http://www.fallfromgrace.us
ToddStar: Thanks again for taking the time and we look forward to more Fall From Grace!!!