The River Empires Epilogue Q&A: Insights and Lore
Introduction
Happy Wednesday!
This post is a special Q&A dedicated to the TRE Epilogue and the deeper meaning behind some of your questions.
The River Empires was and is a special project that I’m really proud of and will forever live in my heart, so getting a chance to answer some of your questions was fun and a bolt of nostalgia. Made me think of the late nights at Castle House studio, and recording the Oregon State Women’s Choir, which transcended Epilogue to a higher level. We also built a wooden platform and threw on some big boots and stomped as we sang “woman you’re going to drown, it’s too late.” Though one of the best parts was having Casey Crescenzo from The Dear Hunter // Cave and Canary Goods as a large part of the project. One of my favorites in the business to work with, hands down.
Needless to say, it was a good time with good people!
So enjoy the read and thanks for stopping by!
TRE Epilogue Q&A
I) Which song are you most proud of and why?
A Dimmer Lux stands out for me. It was the first track written for the album, and it set the tone for everything that followed. It's always exciting to see the foundation of a project come to life, and this one had a special spark.
II) What was the inspiration behind the visual/lyrical theming in "From Outside the Cellar"?
Cellars are a recurring theme in my music. In this song, stepping outside of the cellar represents approaching the edge of death. It's a powerful metaphor, and while cellars often symbolize darkness or confinement, they also allude to personal journeys in The River Empires.
III) What’s your favorite memory from the recording process?
The Three Tigers group vocal session was unforgettable. But one of the most surreal moments happened after recording when I saw a green meteor streaking across the night sky as I was driving home. It felt like a sign—magical, like something out of the Falling Up universe!
IV) Was there a song after the album called “Five Rings”? What happened there?
Yes, it was called "Five Circles". After completing an album, I sometimes experience an “aftershock” of creativity where I write songs that don’t fit with the album. They often land somewhere between projects. “Five Circles” was one of those tracks.
V) Is there any connection between The River Empires and Falling Up/Gloomcatcher lore?
Absolutely! TRE is a folklore version of a story I’ve been working on for years, spanning across much of my career. While it’s separate from the Falling Up universe, some lyrics were inspired by elements of The River Empires story. The updated version of this lore is called Calypsan.
VI) When will the movie or series version of The River Empires be made?
As mentioned, TRE is a folklore version of Calypsan, and we’re currently in the process of adapting it as a streaming series. Fingers crossed for everything falling into place as planned!
VII) Any plans for The River Empires merch? And what about more music?
Yes! We’re planning to launch TRE merch on the MERCH STORE soon, with TRE t-shirts, vinyl, cassette tapes, and even maybe a graphic novel! The next album, titled Mars/Brighton II, was supposed to follow the story's ending, but it hasn’t been released yet. There’s still more to come for The River Empires universe.
VIII) Will there be more albums from The River Empires?
Yes, though the original plan was a seven-album project, we’re adjusting the number of albums. The story of The River Empires isn’t over—stay tuned for updates on Calypsan and more music!
