A Dirty Dozen with DOUG ALBREGTS from LITTLE FALLS TROPHY – July 2025

Photo credit: Drew Reynolds

According to a recent press release: “New Jersey-based one-man band Little Falls Trophy has released its third album, Rehashed, on June 20, 2025, via Rock Ridge Music. Little Falls Trophy is rewriting the rules of reinvention with the album, a bold new spin on the sounds you thought you knew. Doug Albregts, the man behind the band name, reworks some of his favorite tunes with acoustic flair, lush guitar tones, and fresh arrangements that breathe new life into the originals. Add in a B-side gem and two handpicked covers, and you’ve got a musical trophy case brimming with reimagined moments and surprises. Initially conceived as a bridge to a third full-length album, Rehashed evolved into a standalone project, recasting Little Falls Trophy’s earlier tracks with acoustic touches and a fresh perspective. Rehashed is a testament to the joy of reinvention. The name Little Falls Trophy reflects Albregts’ roots, paying homage to a family-owned trophy shop in his New Jersey hometown. But it also speaks to his broader mission: to capture life’s fleeting moments and turn them into something timeless. Starting as a bass player in college, Albregts only picked up the guitar seriously in recent years. His journey—from the 1980s music scene to a Covid-era creative breakthrough—has shaped a songwriter in touch with the pulse of the modern world.” We get Doug 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?

Great question. I think there’s a lot of raw emotion in this album. Many of these songs are reworked versions of earlier recordings, so they offer a different perspective on familiar themes. Listeners who know me personally—or have followed my journey—might catch some lyrical nuances or emotional shifts that hit a little deeper. I also threw in a few covers, just to keep things interesting. I’ve always liked mixing it up.

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

Yeah, I actually wrote a song about it called “Addiction”—it’s on this album. It plays with the idea of falling deeply for something, whether it’s music or something (or someone) else. Music became something I couldn’t put down. I played in bands during college and got more serious about writing later in life. Somewhere in the last decade, I had a realization: this is what I’m meant to do. I love everything about it—writing, playing, listening, producing. It never gets old.

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

Probably too many to list, but Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip had the biggest impact on me—both personally and musically. He was such a talented, poetic songwriter and an incredible performer.  And even a better human. His passing hit hard. Seeing Springsteen on Broadway was another unforgettable experience. And U2 at the Sphere? That was just next-level.

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

Dan Wilson, no question. He’s probably the most talented songwriter of my generation. I actually got to have lunch with him once, and it was a bucket list moment for me. I was a huge fan of Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic, but Dan’s songwriting beyond that is on another level. One of his songs, “Disappearing,” was part of my nightly routine putting my daughter to bed. It’s beautiful. If you look at who he’s worked with, it’s a who’s who of music’s best over the past decade.

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

Spending time with family and friends—simple as that. We have a cabin on a lake, and being up there with the people I love is my happy place. But give me a good bottle of wine, a fire, and some interesting conversation, and I’m set. I also love movies and shows—”Severance” was incredible, and I’m really looking forward to the next season of “The Bear.”

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’s never listened to you before? What’s one comparison you’ve received that made you cringe or didn’t quite land?

I’d say my sound is rooted in that late 90’s / early 2000’s alt-pop / rock scene. There’s a bit of a Jayhawks or R.E.M. vibe at times, but I never set out to sound like anyone other than myself. As for cringey comparisons? I’ve been lucky, not too many. Though my dad once said my high school band sounded like “a bunch of dead animals crying in the basement.” Gotta love that kind of honesty.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks, and who pulls out the acoustic guitar first for a singalong?

Since I’m technically the only official member, I do all of the above! That said, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some incredibly talented musicians who’ve brought a lot to the table. I usually bring the drinks—I’ve got great taste—while the others cook and play. And there’s one guy who can do it all. If he’s reading this, he knows I’m talking about him.

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

I’ve had the chance to meet Richard Branson several times down in the BVI. We’ve talked about music—The Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, and more. You definitely have to pinch yourself when the guy who signed the Sex Pistols is sitting on a couch next to you, swapping stories. And he’s incredibly down to earth, which somehow makes it even more surreal.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? And if you couldn’t do music anymore, what would be your dream job?

The freedom. Being able to express myself without interference. I’m actually an introvert, and music gives me a voice I might not otherwise have. If I couldn’t do this anymore? I’d want to be CEO of Gibson or Fender. Still close to the music, still part of the craft.

10. What’s one question you’ve always wanted an interviewer to ask—and what’s the answer? And which question are you tired of answering?

These questions have honestly been some of the best I’ve ever gotten—really fun and thoughtful. I’ve always liked being asked about my biggest songwriting influence, so thank you for including that. The question I get tired of? Probably when people ask what a specific song really means. I get it, but part of the magic is letting the listener connect to it in their own way.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a moment you’d like a “do-over” on, even if it wouldn’t change where you are now?

Absolutely. While music hasn’t always been my full-time gig, there are definitely choices I made early on—especially with my first album—that I’d do differently. But every step has taught me something, and I think those lessons have made me better at my craft.

12. If you could magically go back in time and sit in on the recording of any album, which would you choose—and why?

Tough call, but I’d probably go with Houses of the Holy or any Led Zeppelin record. As a kid, they seemed like mythical figures to me, and what they did with the limited recording tech of the time was just incredible. I’d also love to have been a fly on the wall for U2’s October sessions. I could go on forever, honestly.

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Category: Interviews