With the expanded Deluxe Edition of The Bridge out now, The Grahams are revisiting what has become one of the most personal chapters of their career. The record sees the husband-and-wife duo, Alyssa Graham and Doug Graham, digging deep into themes of love, memory, family and the passage of time, while the new edition adds fresh material including the latest single “Worst Parts of Me.”

Arriving alongside a new video for “Georgette” and ahead of a UK headline tour kicking off this month, the release offers a fuller look at the stories behind the album and the life the pair have built together through decades of music. In this interview, The Grahams talk about the inspiration behind the new songs, the realities of writing and touring as a couple, and why The Bridge represents their most honest work to date.

1. Congratulations on the release of Worst Parts of Me which will feature on the new deluxe version of ’The Bridge’ - what was the inspiration by this song and the video?

Thank you so much. We are so excited about this release. The entire album is a personal and very honest look at our life together. Worst Parts of Me was inspired by the realization that after three decades together you need to love the worst parts of your partner in order to survive. We have a very unusual relationship. We’ve been together since we were kids. It’s easy to love the best parts of one another but over the decades if you can find a way to love the worst parts of each other you just might make it. We wanted the video to start from the beginning. Both doug and I know that in order to truly love with everything you’ve got you must love yourself. The video highlights the need to love yourself and embrace all your imperfections so that you can be true and confident sharing that love with another.

2. How does the new deluxe version differ to the original album?

We are releasing two new tracks on the deluxe version of, The Bridge, and also a new edit of, “Georgette.” The first track is called, “Nobody Stays Together” and the second track is called, “Beyond This Lifetime.” Both tracks were recorded in Nashville at 3Sirens with the same band at the same time of the album recording. However, as music lovers and kids who grew up on vinyl, we always like to make the original listening experience reminiscent of the good old days when people would sit down and put on a record, read the liner notes, utilize the gatefold, flip the record and sit and really listen. That listening experience is no longer than 35-40 minutes of music. We didn’t want the original offering to be too long. We held back these two tracks as an offering for our UK release (for the modern world. lol). Two very different songs. One is about a relationship ending abruptly and one is about a relationship exceeding a lifetime.

3. What’s it like being in a band together and a relationship? What are the positives and negatives?

It’s generally positive. We have spent our entire life as musicians and lovers. Actually, Doug started in a band with my older brother in high school and we were just friends. Then he and I started playing music together around campfires. Singing Neil Young and Bob Dylan songs. We really don’t know anything else. We started our first band together when I was 16 and we’ve been doing this ever since. I think one thing that makes us grounded as a couple is that we prioritize our relationship over all else. We made a pact years ago that our relationship comes first; before music, before friends, before careers and it works for us. Obviously, music is a very passionate and complicated language and sometimes it can be tumultuous. We are both very strong headed and often we will fight over a lyric or a chords progression. Those are by far our worst fights but after 30 plus years of doing this together we’ve learned how to negotiate and work together to make the music better. There has never been a song that suffers because we disagree; our arguing and negotiating always makes the songs better. Playing live together on stage is magical and that feeling is indescribable.

4. Your new album The Bridge differs from your debut album - it touches on more personal subjects - what was the creative process like?

The Bridge is by far our most personal and intimate record to date. We have spent the last many years as adventure songwriters. We traveled the Mississippi and lived on a houseboat in the Atchafalaya swamp, we rode every train line North and South and East and West across American, and we drove a motorcycle across the country on Route 66. The Rivers, The Rails, The Roads. We did all this to get inspiration for our albums. We took all the experiences and all the stories and wrote songs. Many of these stories were other peoples stories that we heard along the way. I would say the music up until now was somewhat voyeuristic. For The Bridge, we turned inwards and took a deep hard look at ourselves and wrote about all the stuff that we’ve been scared to write about thus far. We did this with the help of a few key co-writers from Nashville (Kate York, Dex Green, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jarrad K). We had never written with anyone else besides our childhood friend BMC. This prospect was scary. What happened was enlightening and cathartic. We were able to let go and really talk about our lives, our love, our families, our struggles and our fears. Every day was a new journey and a release of some sort. Our co-writers didn’t let us get away with any bullshit. They forced us to dig deep and look at ourselves and allow others in. I think because of that, The Bridge, is relatable to everyone.

5. You will be touring the UK throughout March in some intimate venues - where are you most looking forward to playing and what can we expect from your live shows?

Well, we can’t pick favorites. That wouldn’t be nice. We’ve been touring the UK for over a decade now and we love it all from London to Bury, from Manchester to Cornwall, from Liverpool to Bath. The audiences are always true music lovers and there to be part of the experience. To be perfectly honest you don’t get that level of commitment as much touring the US. We find in the UK especially in the more rural areas, people are so grateful that you’ve come to visit and share your songs. They also come talk to us after the show and take the music home on vinyl. There is something a little more old fashioned and traditional about he UK music audiences and we can relate to that. We are bringing our full band on this tour so we are ready to rock, get intimate, and be joyful. Lots of new music and of course some oldies. You also may catch a glimpse of the real Georgette if you’re lucky.

6. How would you describe your music to new fans that haven’t heard of you before?

For better or worse, our sound is all over the place. Typically, the simple answer is, Americana or folk-rock (if you’re old school). We grew up together in New Jersey right over the George Washington Bridge to Manhattan. Our childhood influences range from Neil Young to Carole King, from The Beach Boys to The Ramones, from The Grateful Dead to Patty Smith. Many artists we know and respect really have, “a sound.” I think that often is what makes them distinctive and successful. I don’t know if we have that exactly. I think you can recognize Doug and I harmonizing. Our voices together are pretty distinct. However, we learn and grow and continue to evolve so if you’re looking for a consistent body of work that sounds like, “The Grahams” you’re unlikely to find it. That being said, in general we live in the worlds of storytellers, singer-songwriters, folk rock, Americana and pop with a lot of love and a little attitude.

7. What do you feel is your greatest achievement in work or personal life?

That’s easy. A lifelong and incredibly passionate love affair of over 35 years and a beautiful, smart, mischievous and kind hearted 7 years old. Also a few really good songs.

8. If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?

Doug and I recently were cleaning out his parent’s attic. We both had stored out childhood vinyl collections there for over 25 years. When we found them we were so psyched because we thought we would double our collection. Unfortunately, we had the same records almost exactly. I know that we both share our love of Neil Young and I’m pretty sure, On The Beach is both of our favorite records. So, the obvious answer is Neil Young. He taught us everything about the most important parts of music. It’s not about getting it all right or writing the perfect song and it’s certainly not about singing in perfect pitch (lol). It’s about being honest and conveying real emotion that can connect you to other people. If we could perform with or collaborate with Neil Young we would just want to do so to say thank you. Neither of us ever wanted to turn music into anything other than a way to share life and love with others. We credit that desire to Neil.

9. If you could only take one album onto a desert island what would it be?

Doug: “E.S.P”- Miles Davis.
Alyssa: “Tapestry” - Carole King

10. What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2026?

We want to continue being artists for art sake. Putting beauty out into the world, especially now when we need it the most. We have a human we are raising and we want to leave behind a legacy for her. We have started an arts foundation called DAG Foundation www.dagfoundation.org. One of our passions and wishes is to help other artists do what they do best without the confines or obstacles of any restrictive institutions. It has been a lifetime dream to start this foundation and we are heading into our third year. Watching this grow and reach more struggling artists is our lifelong aspiration for ourselves and for our daughter.

UK Tour:

15th - Edinburgh, The Caves
16th - Newcastle, The Cluny
19th - Bath, Chapel Arts
21st - Maidenhead, Norden Farm
23rd - Sheffield, Greystones
26th - Shrewsbury, St. Mary’s - Live In The House
27th - Ashford, Revelation
28th - Colchester, The Little Rabbit Barn
29th - Bury, The Met.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.