A Dirty Dozen with BRYCE MARSHALL from TELLTALE – December 2023

Photo credit: Chase Warren

According to the band’s bio: “Rock band Telltale have today released their hypnotic new single “Otherside,” out now via Rude Records. With the track also comes a brand new music video – fans can watch now. Like a John Hughes movie or a thrift store cardigan sweater, the driving rhythm and earnest melody of Telltale is both familiar and reinvigorating in equal measure. The quartet crafts anthems that immediately connect with the kids who pack clubs and theaters to see newer bands like Neck Deep as well as the older set that cherish early records from Fall Out Boy and Lifetime, but with their own distinctive spin. All over the Richmond, Virginia based band’s catalogue, Telltale spin stories that are as relatable as growing pains.” We get guitarist Bryce to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Otherside” is such a different track for us in that it’s wide open to interpretation lyrically and thematically. There are notes of a love story, alien invasion, and sci-fi themes as well as just curiosity about what lies on the other side for us all. Each listen through you might catch a little more or find out something new.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I remember watching live videos of Slipknot growing up and seeing the chaos of their live sets resonated with me. I wanted to do that same thing, play music live and see the world too.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Shocker here, but Slipknot is a huge favorite of mine. I love Jim & Mick’s riffs and writing in the earlier days of the band. I tend to gravitate towards heavier music with other groups like Thrown, Graphic Nature, Kublai Khan, The Acacia Strain, and Harms Way to name a few.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I know I just mentioned my love for heavier music but I also enjoy something with a great melody and an emotional punch to the lyrics – Holding Absence would be a dream to work with.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m a massive fan of movies, horror in particular but I’ll watch just about any movie.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We’ve been calling this new era of the band grunge-pop. It’s a little gritty, but most of our songs also hold a bit of production and a strong melody too.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Truth is, any of us could do any of those things at literally any point. We’re all fairly open and down for whatever.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

It’s been a few years since it happened but we gave Levi from Miss May I a ride home when we were out in LA one time. At the time I was floored because they were one of the bands that my friends and I would cover while playing songs in the garage. It was just a full-circle moment for me.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I always say it’d be fun to go to film school or something like that. I just really love movies and have always thought it’d be super fun to be a part of the creative process behind the camera.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Will always be tired and moderately annoyed by the basic questions – where is your band from, what instrument do you play, how long have you been a band, etc. Ask more stuff about the songs, the creative process, me as an individual, the gear we use, anything.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Ehh, sure there are a few moments I’d want to redo but it would change the outcome of other things in my musical journey. I’d rather leave it all as is since I’m content with how things have turned out and what they seem to be shaping into.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Similar to my last answer, I wouldn’t want to change anyone else’s records. Those bands had a reason or thought for what they did on each track and who am I to reshape their career?

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Category: Interviews