KEY AND EASY. Letters From Earth is (left to right) Matt Smith (bass), Tyler Griggs (vocals), Riley Schiefelbein (guitarist and synth), and Phil Langhout (drums and synth).

Have you ever felt the need to fly through space, while rocking out and dancing to some of the most epic music you could get your hands on? Me neither. But Eau Claire band Letters From Earth would be the perfect music choice if you ever decided to.

Letters From Earth consists of Tyler Griggs (vocals and words) alongside Riley Schiefelbein (guitars and synth), Matt Smith (bass), and Phil Langhout (drums and synth). For readers who are unfamiliar with Letters From Earth, they’re an epic space garage rock band (in their own words). Griggs coined this term at the band’s origins in 2009 to reflect the music they were creating. The “space” part came from Schiefelbein’s use of his guitar to create space-like effects for their songs. In addition, a number of figurative references to space, stars and humankind appeared in 2012’s The Instant Gratification EP. At the same time, the high energy and get-up-and-move attitude of their music fit a style similar to garage or punk rock. In a conglomeration of creativity, truth, and epicness (because why not?), “epic space garage rock” was born.

“It wasn’t the mission of the EP to sound softer. … Rather we just wanted to show that our songs have more tone to them than high-energy rock.” – Letters From Earth frontman Tyler Griggs

Letters From Earth is about to release a new selection of rock on its second EP, Goner. The EP features everything fans would expect; carefully crafted lyrics, tight guitar riffs, and creative, distinctive sound effects. At its core, Goner is the product of Letters From Earth perfecting its identity and making its creations second nature to breathing. The result is a beautiful compilation of unique and varying songs that shed light on a side of Letters From Earth that wasn’t front and center two years ago. “It wasn’t exactly the mission of the EP to sound softer,” Griggs said. “Rather we just wanted to show that our songs have more tone to them than high-energy rock.” But don’t fret, as Griggs promises there is still a lot going on. “After all, (second track) ‘Painted Fire’ packs more raw rock ’n’ roll firepower than anything on the first EP in my opinion,” Griggs said.

Goner also reinforces the fact that Letters From Earth is not just a single band, but a group of individual musicians. They can certainly play as an ensemble, but they offer one another many opportunities to become the main focus during any given song. Griggs, Smith, and Langhout all contributed lyrics in some way to the new EP. Additionally, “William Tell” is the result of a riff written by Schiefelbein, while the desolate soundscape of “Ghost” came from the mind of Langhout, who has taken a greater interest in synthesizers since the first EP. Even Evan Middlesworth, the Pine Hollow Audio sound engineer who recorded and mixed the EP, is a guest vocalist on “Painted Fire” and recorded synth on “William Tell.”

One of the most notable songs for Griggs is “Barstowaway,” a tribute to the night life of Eau Claire. This song was Griggs’ attempt at writing lyrics that were literal rather than the common figurative language that Letters From Earth often employs. “I always thought it would be fun to write something about the city more directly than through a filter of figurative language,” Griggs said. “And when you do that, I feel like the song is more naked. It’s bare, it’s honest, that sort of thing.” He also enjoyed writing “Painted Fire” as it allowed him to play a wretched bad guy, inviting a listener to follow in the same dark descent.

To celebrate the release of Goner, Letters From Earth is performing a release show March 29 at The Mousetrap in Eau Claire. They will be also be performing with Whale House. This is their first show in Eau Claire in over six months, so it’s something you won’t want to miss. Just don’t forget your space suit.

Find LFE online at Facebook.com/LettersFromEarth and at LettersEarth.bandcamp.com