It’s an undeniable fact that we at The Honey POP! love Richmond pop punk band, Telltale. So we’re incredibly stoked to bring you an exclusive interview their with lead singer, John Carteret where we talk about their upcoming album, Telltale. Their upcoming self-titled album drops May 17th and you can pre-order it now, if you haven’t already. Without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us! We’d love to start this out by asking if there’s anyone out there who hasn’t yet dove into your music, what is the first Telltale song you recommend they listen to?
‘Otherside’ was the first single from this new album cycle, so I would say that’s a good spot to dive in. From there you can go backwards or forwards and get the full story.
With your new single, ‘kissinginacarcrash’ you said “This track is for anyone who enjoys a late-night drive while they reflect and self-deprecate about every past relationship they’ve had.” What are some of your go-to songs for those kind of late-night drives?
For me it’s anything mid-2000s soft-rock; The Fray, The Script, Lifehouse. Basically anything that could have been the intro track for a medical drama.
What were your main inspirations behind your upcoming self-titled album?
Anything dark; movies, short stories, the local oddities shop. We actually recorded this album in an old New England church. It was surrounded by a massive graveyard and definitely had some supernatural quirks.
Was there anything different about the writing or recording process compared to your previous music?
We did a lot more demoing beforehand. Normally we go into the studio with a few short hooks or riffs but this time came in with about 15 finished demos and a handful of other ideas to work from. A lot of our initial production stuff like synths and effects made it onto the album’s final cut.
What song are you most excited for fans to hear and why?
Track 8 – Take Your Time. There’s this cult following within our fanbase for the song “What A Shame,” and I feel like this song is part 2 to that. It’s not often that I let go of our usual melancholy lyricism to feel myself, but the final product of those times is always an earworm.
Do you have a favorite lyric?
From that song, “I want to feel your body bend and never break my heart again. But if you insist.” The before and after nature of the first sentence is hilariously tongue-in-cheek. And it sits right before this massive drop into the last chorus.
You’re going on tour soon, which is so exciting! What’s one of your favorite past tour memories?
Touching the Pacific Ocean when we first visited California on tour was spectacular. We were trying to find beach access, but had gotten sidetracked way up in Malibu. Finally we just pulled over on the side of the road and hopped across a rock barricade to reach the water. I still have the picture in my favorites folder.
You do Telltale Tuesday on Twitter. What have been some of your favorite Telltale Tuesday moments?
That’s all Bryce. He’s our Twitter guy. It’s been a running joke for a while now that everyone thinks Tim runs the account but that’s just not the case. #TelltaleTuesday has been a nice motivator for people to interact with our ridiculous internet banter.
We’re all about the power of manifestation. If there’s one thing you could speak into existence for Telltale, what would it be?
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a tour in the eastern hemisphere. Japan or Australia or South Asia. It’s going to happen in the next year, I know it.
Last question. Just because we love spreading positivity and being sweet like honey, what is one sweet thing you can say about one another?
Bryce is the craftiest guy I know. He builds the rigs and cooks the books. That dude has the straightest head of anyone I know and reigns me in when I fly too high.
Tim is an incredibly gifted communicator. Whether it’s face to face, over email or on the phone, that guy can make friends and get results in the same breath. He’s our mediator.
And, I would be nothing without my dude Travis. He’s kept it so real with me over the years when nobody else would. He’s definitely the most musically talented in the band as well. My metronome on stage and in life, keeping everything on track.
We’d like to thank John from Telltale for taking the time to chat with us! Be sure to get tickets to catch Telltale on tour! How excited are you for Telltale’s new self-titled album? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, Instagram, or by tweeting us @thehoneypop!
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