FALLEN INDUSTRIES – Interview with Grace Fallen

Fallen Industries is the brainstorm of Grace Fallen. They are a group of young models who promote talented bands, artists, companies and anyone who is following their hearts and dreams. Right now, they work for free and all you have to do is send them some of your merchandise and they'll surely bring it some eye opening attention. I had a chance to talk with Grace Fallen, the leader of Fallen Industries, so she can tell us more about herself and her company.

Tell me a little about your upbringing, family life, hometown etc.

I was born in Reno Nevada. My father was in the Navy so we moved around alot. My parents have always been really open minded and supportive, they're my best friends, so I got pretty lucky. I had a pretty rough childhood. I was always living the hard way. I was an outcast in school. I was kicked out of this one christian school for feeling up a girl in the restroom. My mind was just in another place back then. I was a really depressed kid.

When did you first have the basic thoughts and ideas that would become fallen industries?

I started modeling when I was 16. People would ask if they could use me for a school project. It didn't take long until I realized that I could actually go somewhere with this. I wasn't making any money, though people were selling prints of me in local art galleries. I was working with crummy photographers and models being raped, kidnapped, and murdered started appearing all over the news. I started to really focus on my modeling track. I began charging for my work. I started working with really amazing photographers from all over the U.S. and eventually I got my foot in the door of the internet scene. I first became aware of suicidegirls.com a few years back. I really liked what they were doing. They had these girls who seemed totally empowered, who were expressing themselves through nudity, but also creativity. I was hooked. But, upon applying to model for them, I began talking to the brains behind the operation and he was very negative towards his models. Sexist even. The whole deal was just pretty shady. He wanted his models to sign an exclusive contract with him and with so many girls modeling for them, there was no guarantee when you could even get a shoot up. I was very unimpressed with so many similar websites and the way they were managed. I wanted to do something different, something no one had seen before.

How did you first put these ideas into action?

I had some close friends that wanted to model and just didn't know how to get into it, so I started working with them and the shots came out pretty good. I guess it hit me then, that this could really take off. I put together a burlesque show at a local venue and had some bands play and we had a lot of fun doing it. That was the begining of Fallen Industries. It was a collaboration of music, art, and modeling and I got a lot of great feedback. Soon, bands were asking me to perform at their shows and model their merchandise.

Introduce the other girls at fallen industries and tell me a little about who they are and how you met etc.

Right now we have 5 models and we're growing, but I want to keep it at a small number. I think it makes the experience a bit more intimate and personal. Kristin has been a friend of mine for several years. We met over the internet and she's been a light in my life. She's an amazing artist and a very talented model. Kate and I first got introduced through a photographer we had both been working with. She's such a classic beauty. I really admire the element she brings to the camera. She has this great innocence about her, and I just love that. Cat was actually my roommate. She's so fun and quirky, not to mention a complete sex kitten. I met Angie over the internet and she had been modeling for several websites I had worked with and I just loved her timeless beauty. I had to have her! Each of my girls has brought an element I alone could not achieve. I'm very lucky to have such amazing models on board.

Who are some of the clients you've worked with and what are some of the things that you've done for them?

At FI we're all about supporting talented musicians and artists following their dreams and hearts. We've worked with bands from Evergreen Terrace and Eighteen Visions to less known bands, such as Ten Cent Pistol and Exitium. All of which have been a pleasure to work with.

Tell me a little about the process that a client must go through if they want fallen industries to work with them.

All they have to do is send us some sort of merch for our girls to model. We really push the promotion of our clients. We provide links, booking, contact information, as well as any news or merch they have for sale. We want to see our clients continue to do what they love.

Do you have different girls for different types of clients or can you and the girls adapt accordingly to what the client wants to promote?

All of my models are pretty versatile. If the client has a specific idea of what they'd like to see, we try our hardest to make it happen for them.

What kind of music do you listen to and what are your favorite bands?

I'm currently listening to a lot of Cradle of Filth, Naglfar, Burzum, Morbid Angel, Misfits, Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Ten Cent Pistol, Depeche Mode, Pig Destroyer and Dystopia.

Do you work mostly with bands or do you also have clients outside the music industry?

We've mostly been working with bands, but we're also up to model for anything!

What is the music scene like in your area?

We have a pretty good metal scene here. I was actually pretty impressed when I first moved. There's not a whole lot for kids to do here, so when there's a show, they flock.

Who does the photography for your photo shoots?

Le Koos from Tulsa Oklahoma and Jake Morrison from Norman Oklahoma are currently working with us, but models such as Angie and Kristin, who are out of Michigan and Florida use their own photographers. Hopefully we'll be working with more photographers in the future.

Tell me your thoughts on the fine line between sensuality and pornography.

There's always been a way to be classy and a way to be crude. FI is not about spread eagle. I feel it's much better to leave some room for the imagination. I want the content of my website to be artistic and well drawn.

Have you ever crossed the line or gotten bad press by people who think you've crossed the line?

Not really, aside from jealous, insecure people badmouthing us. Nothing could or would take hold or shake what we're all about and what I'm trying to achieve.

Do you get alot of requests from other girls who would like to join fallen industries?

We have several. It's really hard to decide who will really bring a new face to FI. Sorting the driven from the drifting is always a challenge. We've been getting a lot of requests from guys, which is great. I'd love to have a male element as well as female.

If you were adding a girl (or guy), what kind of qualities would he or she need to join fallen industries?

They must have heart and spirit. Everything else is all in the details.

Are you currently looking to add to your roster?

Of course, but unlike other websites who have hundreds of models, I can't see us ever having more than a few dozen.

What are you hoping to accomplish over the next few years with fallen industries?

I'd like to work with more bands and artists, gain world wide recognition, and see my models safe and rocking out. I just want to manage a group of very special people who are loving life and loving what they do.

Thanks Grace for your time and your insight into Fallen Industries. Their website will be coming soon at www.fallenindustries.com, but for now if there are any bands or anyone in general with products or merchandise they want to promote, you can contact Grace on www.myspace.com/fallenindustries and check out more pics and get all other information needed for promotion of your stuff. And is there any better way to promote your stuff than letting gorgeous girls do it? Uhhh…nope. Get in touch.