The Grahams new deluxe edition of The Bridge sees the duo return to a record that already marked a more personal shift in their songwriting. Featuring two additional tracks from the original sessions, the release gives the album a fuller shape.
At the heart of The Bridge is a move away from the outside world and into their own story. Alyssa and Doug Graham have spent years writing about the people and places they’ve encountered along the way, but this time the focus turns inward, reflecting on their relationship, their family, and the realities that come with building a life together over time.
Having known each other since childhood and worked side by side for decades, their music carries a deep, shared history that feels truly authentic. Noctis Magazine spoke with The Grahams about the new music and the experiences behind it.
The deluxe edition of The Bridge is out now, with two new songs. What drew you back into this album’s world to add those extra tracks?
Truthfully, we had recorded those two tracks (Nobody Stays Together and Beyond This Lifetime) back with the band when we were in the studio. However, we knew we were only printing on vinyl which limited us from featuring all the songs we recorded. It was a little heartbreaking as you know, songs are a bit like children, it’s hard to pick your favorites. We decided that we wanted to do something special with those two tracks and we knew we wanted to do it for the UK. Our touring history in the UK has always been rewarding. The audiences really show up for us so we held those two tracks back from any U.S. release to offer them as a big thank you to our fans and friends in the UK. I’m so happy they are now out in the world and we got to celebrate them on our recent UK tour.
How do the new songs extend the story you were telling on The Bridge?
Funny enough they are yin and yang. They are exact opposite sides of a love affair. The Bridge as a whole really explores and examines our relationship with not only each other but also with our friends and our family, our child and with ourselves. Beyond This Lifetime is the desire and the dream to keep our love affair intact for eternity. Nobody Stays Together is the flip side; what if it falls apart in this lifetime. We needed to explore both possibilities because no matter how strong a love is we don’t know if it will last and at the same time, can it last forever?
The deluxe edition includes a fresh edit of “Georgette.” How did revisiting that song feel, given how personal it is to your family?
We could not only revisit but rewrite that song a million ways. Georgette is an ever changing force. As the song says, “She’s got something thats so hard to forget.” You can never put your finger on it but she is a different kind of special. Yes, everyone thinks that about their child. We are no different, but luckily we have the tools to write about it. lol. The song was meant to sound like her more than anything. We wanted a song that was mischievous sounding, complex, unexpected, and bold. To be honest, the words can and probably will forever change but the sound, well the sound is Georgette.
You’ve described the album as exploring thoughts that had previously stayed close to your heart. Was there a particular song that felt especially vulnerable to write or share?
Absolutely. I talk about it a lot because it has helped me a lot. The One Who Remembers. Yes, it’s a song that allowed me to really explore my emotions surrounding my mother’s (and my father’s) illness but it’s so much more for me. Our family has been navigating this situation for many many years and we are all very close but it’s hard to really communicate about it. It’s an impossible situation. However, what the song really helped me to do was look at myself as a sort of, “addict” as well. My behavior and in essence my “lifelong bad habit” surrounding some of these illnesses is all mine. I can’t blame anyone else for the way I internalize things or enable people I love. Though my brother, as it says in the song, “says I’m not the one to blame, some things never change” writing this song helped me see that I do share a part in the perpetuation of bad habits. My mom is certainly innocent but the rest of us have agency.
After all these years of working as partners in both life and music, what’s one tiny daily habit that keeps you sane as a couple on the road?
Doug is always grabbing at me for one thing which keeps it spicy. Lol. We both know how lucky we are and we really don’t take that for granted. I really have to credit Doug with keeping us sane as a couple on the road. I’m barely sane on any given day on or off the road. Doug will always make me laugh and at least once a night on stage he will look at me and really see me and give me a wink. I get chills every single time. I heard recently that someone came to see us (and if you ever have seen us live, Doug and I look at each other on stage a lot) and loved the show but said it made her feel really badly about her own relationship with her husband because after seeing us on stage she said, “I don’t love my husband that much.” I’m sure she was joking but playing music together really keeps us strong and connected.
Who’s more likely to win an argument in the studio? And what’s your secret to making sure you come out of those studio sessions smiling?
Good question. Definitely me. Doug is a strong and confident man and he will always tell you, “I’m the boss.” That’s not true but in the studio although we compromise a lot and make all the decisions together at the end of the day he trusts my instincts in the studio maybe more than his own. He’s very gracious like that. It’s not to say he doesn’t have strong opinions and of course there are times I acquiesce. However, before it comes to blows, he will feed my ego and let me win…IN THE STUDIO.
With the deluxe edition out and a UK tour on the horizon, what’s the first thing you’ll do together when you get a rare day off in a new city?
Kiss in the park and hold hands with our daughter.
Is there a track off the album that you are most excited to perform live?
Georgette is always a showstopper because not only is it a special song with a unique sound and movement but lately, Georgette has been making an appearance on stage. She’s a ham and I think she wan’t to take my job but seeing the joy she brings is really special for us, for her and for the audience. It’s also just a rocker and we love playing it. The harmonies are big and bold and it’s a little jazzy and different than a lot of our more “Americana” music.
Finally, with these big milestones already happening early this year, what’s something you’re both excited to explore in the months ahead?
I’m learning how to speak French which is VERY challenging. Also, we recorded a whole new record in France last summer with our full band. We rented an old church in an old hill town village in Provence. We turned it into a studio and recorded 12 new songs. We are so excited to start mixing and mastering this new album and think about all the good times we will have with our band performing these new songs very soon. We also are excited to see our daughter star as Tweedle Dee in Alice In Wonderland next week. She’s gonna shine.
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Words: Alexander Williams