THE FRST – Small Talk

By starrymag | August 25, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Like Mark Ronson remixing Nirvana or maybe like Dr. Dre’s take on Rock…Definitely alternative, and most often Alternative Rock. We’ve been labelled “grunge” but since then have incorporated a lot of funk, electronic and hip hop elements to set us apart from the rest of the scene.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Beck, Radiohead, Tame Impala, The Beatles, Nirvana, Glass Animals, Bob Marley, so many…A lot of our peers have been inspiring me lately – Just A Ride, Adjust the Sails, Novocaine, Dead Bundy, Hunter Oliveri, so many!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Small Talk.”

 

A) March of 2020 was an interesting time in Nashville; Not only did COVID take over, but the tornadoes that swept through East Nashville made our place unlivable. We spent the next six months moving seven times throughout the pandemic and it was pretty chaotic, honestly. Sometime during that process, I jotted the phrase “death of small talk” down in my notes app. When we finally moved into our new studio in the Fall of 2020, it was the first song recorded to sort of “break in” the place. Ultimately, it was sidelined to make way for “This Is Me Now” to be released as the debut single from our upcoming album, This Never Happened. 

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Well, for starters the song structure and melody were influenced by the blueprint of “Tarantino,” which has been the “fan favorite” song so far…Musically, they’re in different keys, and “Small Talk” has more of a major key feel whereas “Tarantino” is very minor key. Lyrically, I wanted to reflect what was going on in the pandemic in very realistic way. I was a little surprised the song was received as well as it was. I’ve learned when you’re so close to the music, you don’t necessarily know what’s going to connect. I try to keep it honest and not overcomplicate it.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I don’t want to give too much away, but the smashing of the guitar represented the pandemic hitting, the blood-soaked guitar was a tribute to all the lives we’ve lost due to the politics and mishandling of this virus and, of course, the burial of the smashed guitar is an analogy for the death of small talk.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It depends on the song. “This Is Me Now,” for example, started with the music, whereas “Small Talk” started with the lyrics. Sometimes, like in the case of “Tarantino,” it’s simultaneous where you have a title and a separate piece of music and then realize they’d be a perfect fit for each other.

 

Q) Steve Hardy and Andy VanDette lent a hand in mixing and mastering for “Small Talk,” but how much of a say do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Those guys are incredible. I consider them good friends and am very, very grateful for all their dedication. They always accommodate any note or request we have. I’m sure I drive them crazy sometimes with tweaks and notes but they’re always happy to make adjustments and never rush the process. At the end of the day, they’re invested in it and want it to be the best it can be, so there’s pretty much no extent to what they’ll do to serve the song.

 

Q) My mind is blown at the fact that during the pandemic you recorded over one hundred and thirty tracks!  Do you have plans for most of them?

 

A) Thanks! Well, I should start by saying those one hundred and thirty tracks were all in the “Small Talk” session. [laughs] That included background vocals, percussion and everything else. It was the biggest session since “Rules.” Steve really went the extra mile on that song. That being said, it’s not uncommon at all for me to write between one hundred to two hundred songs a year. Lately, I’ve been approaching it from a “less is more” mentality. If it’s only fifty to seventy-five songs a year, it doesn’t really matter…All that matters is the final product people hear. There’s been a ton of songs written for this record though and I’m really excited about lots of them. Each one tells a very different story and has a different sound, which is a big part of our ethos.

 

Q) Is that a hint at a full album or EP to come?

 

A) Absolutely! I’m more of an album guy personally…EP’s end too quick for my taste. [laughs] I like going on a journey with twists and turns. Our sophomore full length This Never Happened was scheduled for Fall 2021, but I ended up writing and recording a handful of extras songs that our camp said “need” to be on the record. So, we’re going to do a few more singles and then drop the record in 2022, which really isn’t that far away.

 

Q) With concerts having been on hold, what have you missed most about being on stage?

 

A) The adrenaline. It’s a huge rush. I also miss singing live and hearing the crowd sing the lyrics back. I’m not going to lie, though, it’s been really fun holing up in the studio and getting a little experimental with some of the sounds. I can see why The Beatles made so much sonic progress when they quit touring. The extra time makes a big difference.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Playing at the Ryman Auditorium was amazing. The view from the stage is incredible. Playing at a venue where I’ve seen so many of my favorite bands like Tame Impala, Death Cab for Cutie and Mastadon are just incredible. For those unfamiliar, the Ryman is a two hundred plus year old church in downtown Nashville, so the acoustics of the room are amazing.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I’ve already been so blessed to work with so many people I love and respect, but I hope to collaborate with more of our peers in the future…Just A Ride or Dead Bundy or Hunter Oliveri would be insane to collaborate with. They’ve been inspiring me a lot lately.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) All three of those artists above have been on repeat for me lately. Just a Ride has this raw grungy energy that still feels really fresh. Dead Bundy is great because they just don’t give a f*ck and are bringing a spirit back to Punk that’s been missing for a really long time. Hunter is awesome because he kind of blends lots of different elements of rock and alternative together and isn’t afraid to sonically take it to a new place.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Well, right now it’s one of the only places to connect! [laughs] I love chatting with The Frst Family and hearing their stories. They’ve been incredibly supportive through all this. I wish we could have these conversations at a show, but right now I don’t feel comfortable packing a bunch of folks we care about into a venue…and for what, to turn a profit from risking their lives and to feel good about ourselves? I care too much about our fans for that. I don’t think shows should be happening at all right now, but I understand musicians gotta make a living and folks are eager to get back out. So, all that being said, social media is a very safe place to keep the spirit of rock and roll alive until it’s safe to return to the stage. [laughs]

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! We couldn’t do it without you. The Frst Family is very much an equal part of this journey and I’m really excited about where things are going next. We’ve got a ton of new music in store and some really cool twists, so stay tuned!