Interview: Manfred Sittmann of Elephants and Stars Chats About Their New Single, "Take It All", Out 4/17!

What inspired the creation of this single?

The inspiration behind this song was actually a confluence of two things.  On one hand, I wanted to write a Rock You Like a Hurricane-style riff rock song (although it actually sounds more like Urge Overkill or Superdrag in its finished form) and on the other, there was a line in an old Gaslight Anthem song that kind of caught my attention.  The line is something like "now you're getting drinks for the same boys that once bought you everything" and that really resonated with me because I think it spoke to the optimism and excitement of youth being replaced with the stark reality of life not working out the way you thought it would.

What story or message does the song convey?

The song at its essence is sort of a love letter to the girls (now women) of my generation who have been maybe kind of beaten down by life.  Age, work and economic stresses, bad relationships, divorces, etc. However, to me they will always be those girls I grew up with, and I wanted to sort of remind them of the fact that they were - and are - still those girls and they should never forget it.  The message is sort of don't let them take that from you. Remember who TF you are.  

Can you tell us about the creative process?

This song sort of followed our typical process.  I wrote it, recorded it and sent it to the other guys to learn.  Once we got it in the room, it became clear to us that it was a keeper (sadly, not every song can say that).  I told Adam (lead guitar) to just cut loose and go full-on guitar hero with it.  I think he definitely succeeded.  It's my favourite guitar solo that he has ever done.

Once we started working with (producer) Ron Hawkins (The Lowest of the Low) on the production of it, we all decided to lean into the riff-rock-y nature of it, and I don't remember there being a lot of changes to it as we went through the recording process? 

 How does this song differ from your previous releases?

I'm not sure it does, actually.  I think you can hear the groundwork for a long like this on Flaw in the System or any of the other riff-driven songs we have.  I will say that this is probably the most riff-dependent song we've ever done.  So, it is definitely on the furthest edge of what we do.  

What challenges did you face while writing or recording?

Well, when we were done with the original beds, and Ron was listening back and doing his edits, he wasn't happy with the versions we got, particularly the bottom end. He felt it needed to be bigger and stronger to match the tone and feel of the song.  He tried a few studio tricks in post at first but didn't think that was adequate, so in the end much of it had to be redone - that includes the drums, bass and rhythm guitar tracks.  I think he was right and it was worth the extra time.

The other challenge came during the final mixing process when I continued to use the word 'compression' incorrectly on an adjustment request and we went back and forth on it a few times until Ron finally hit me with the Enigo Montaya line 'You keep using that word, but it doesn't mean what you think it means' - again, he was right.  I should really just start listening to him the first time.

Did you experiment with any new instruments, techniques, or styles?

No, not so much new.  In the end, it's still us and probably doesn't sound that divergent from what people might be used to.  It was more just us leaning fully into our more rock-based influences.

Is there a personal connection or story tied to the lyrics?

The story behind the entire song is based on a number of women I grew up with who have had a tough time of it in recent years.  It's funny how people see each other when they're still in school together versus as adults.  The popularity (or lack thereof for some of us - lol) all kinds of fades in the face of adulthood.  I also see how choices and the wrong partners can really wreak havoc on someone's sense of themselves. 

Have you performed it live yet, and what was the audience’s reaction?

We actually played it live for the first time the other night.  Reaction seemed ok.  Might not have been the best crowd to gauge reaction as I am not sure they were there to get hit with a bunch of full-throttle rock and roll songs.  But the one super drunk guy at the front really seemed to like it. 

Is this single part of a larger project, like an album or EP?

Yes, it is the first single from our next full-length LP Philistine Vulgarity which is coming out in June.  Hoping to hit another single in May too.

Anything Else You'd Like Your Fans to Know

Only that we really appreciate each and every one of them.  They are like that line from the Mary Tyler Moore theme (famously covered to perfection by Husker Du): They can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile. lol