Retrosaint, the indie-pop project of David Ross, recently released their single, “False Start,” following on the heels of their 2022 self-titled, debut EP.
Formed in 2020, Retrosaint comprises David Ross (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards) and Jonny Lutz on electric guitars, bass, and drums. Lutz also produced “False Start,” while Frances Takemoto provided the fiddle-style violins.
A classically trained pianist, Ross began playing piano when he was six years old. After studying music business at Belmont University in Nashville, Ross threw himself into the city’s music scene, providing drums, keyboards and vocals for a handful of local acts. Later, he appeared on the pilot season of the reality show American Supergroup.
While bandleading at a local church, Ross was introduced to Ken Coomer, the original drummer of legendary indie outfit Wilco. The unexpected intro proved to be a turning point, as Coomer would produce Ross’ debut single and later his self-titled EP, featuring drumming from Coomer himself.
Tattoo.com spoke with Retrosaint, aka David Ross, to talk about the inspiration for “False Start” and his creative process.
What inspired your new single, “False Start?”
I had gone through a really tough breakup with someone I very much liked (my decision), and at the same time, someone in my family was going through a divorce. It seemed like ‘false starts’ were just in the air, and writing a song about it was the best response for me.
Who produced the song and where was it recorded?
Jonny Lutz, my good friend and studio-partner, produced the song at my home studio in Nashville, TN.
What’s the story behind the name Retrosaint?
I had been releasing music under my real name for a few years, which I found to be difficult for branding purposes. So, I knew I wanted a stage name. One day I was looking through old photographs (the old school ones from a disposable camera!) from a 2004 trip to London with my high school marching band. I’m going through these worn, grainy pictures of me with my best friends, pal-ing it up in London (one of the best weeks of my life) and I just thought ‘Aw, look at us back in those days. We were saints.’ Which was not true in the slightest. But I pulled the name ‘Retrosaint’ out of that and haven’t looked back!
How did you get started in music?
I started piano lessons when I was 6, studying with an amazing teacher for the next 8 years. I played mostly classical music, but I had the most fun playing ragtime and jazz. In 4th grade I joined the school band playing drums, which I would continue doing through the end of high school. I’m a bando for life! At some point in there I picked up a guitar, discovered I could sing (sort of), started a band, and was officially ruined by rock music.
Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?
Green Day and The Offspring were the reasons I wanted to play electric guitar and jump around on stage with the distortion cranked. Coldplay is the reason I wanted to create pretty melodies. And Radiohead is what blew everything wide open, to show what it means to take musical risks and be truly unique. I’m also influenced a great deal by Ben Folds, whose concerts are a masterclass in showmanship and how to entertain a crowd.
If you had to describe your sound to the uninitiated, what would you say?
My journalist friend said I sound like The War on Drugs fronted by Billie Joe Armstrong, so that tends to be my quick pitch! It’s melodic rock with clear/easy-to-understand lyrics, with tinges of punk weaved throughout.
Retrosaint
Why do you make music?
Music is a form of journaling and letter-writing, for me. If I have something I really wish I could tell someone, but I can’t for some reason, I’ll write a song and let that be the message delivery system. Or maybe I just need to vent; something about myself, society, or something more philosophical or esoteric. Like a blogpost, or worse, a rambling Facebook post. Nobody really wants that, but, if there’s cool music behind it, I think they’ll be more willing.
What can you share about your writing process?
First off, I write the vast majority of my music by myself. I have a few ‘methods’ I employ. The first is to create something new in the moment and simply follow the inspiration until it’s done. Strum the guitar and go. It’s the quick and dirty way to write, and it can bring about the best songs. The other method is to slowly piece together bits of music and lyrics I’ve collected over the years, rearranging, editing over and over, like a mad scientist trying to bring Frankenstein to life, until I am happy with it. I have also borrowed tricks from Jeff Tweedy and David Bowie, which involve generating words at random and mashing them together. That can lead to lyrics your brain would never have come up with. It’s almost like having a cowriter, but the cowriter is chance or dumb luck.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
The Criticals have been making big waves. They’re a new rock band doing the classic rock band thing, unadulterated, which is refreshing to see nowadays. I also saw Jon Muq recently, who does the best story-telling-from-the-stage I have seen in a long time.
Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and start your music career over again, what would you do differently?
I think I would have stuck with music lessons longer. With piano, I played recitals every year and as I got older, the stage freight started getting to me. I noticed it with my drum lessons too – feelings of inadequacy or thinking ‘I’ll never be good enough.’ These are feelings that sap the joy out of music! Looking back, I never really addressed that head-on with anybody. So, if I could go back, I would seek out more mentors and people who could speak to the mental/emotional side of performing.
How do you define success?
Success is recognizing a deep need within and taking action (to the best of my ability) to bring it to fruition. It’s all in the trying, not the outcome. If I am trying my hardest, bringing my full self to writing sessions, continuing in the face of self-doubt, and giving it everything I have on stage, then I can sleep soundly at night because that is success. Oh, and speaking of sleep. If I can get 7-8 hours of sleep in a night? That is a raging success.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Live gigs? Music videos?
Most recently, I recorded a cover of a Tom Waits’ song, ‘I Don’t Wanna Grow Up.’ It’s a totally fresh take on it that I’m very happy with. I’ll be releasing a music video for that, too. I’ve got two more singles nearing completion, as well. Gig wise, I’ve been collaborating with some Nashville artists, playing more shows locally. I’ll be making appearances at The Row, Nash Haus, The Basement (hoping to get on their ‘New Faces’ night) and The 5 Spot. Also, one of our local radio stations hosts a battle-of-the-bands every year, called Music City Mayhem. Watch out for my name in that in 2025!
