For a band who released their debut EP only last year, Little May have already lived-out some big dreams.
One dream that became reality was having The National's Aaron Brooking Dessner produce and record their upcoming debut album, 'For The Company', in his Brooklyn home studio. Citing The National as a major influence, Hannah explains how their fledgling indie-folk band, from Sydney, found themselves personally invited to Aaron Dessner's studio.
“We had a list of producers that we would be over-the-moon to work with. A lot of them we didn't think were realistic; Aaron – being one of those – we thought 'that's way too farfetched'. But one of our managers flicked him an email and sent him through our EP. He obviously liked it, and got in touch with us.”
Hannah, Liz and Annie packed their bags in April to call New York home; bunking down in a pad walking distance to Aaron's backyard set-up. “My favourite thing was being able to walk there every day and just feel so at home. We became really close with him and Jonathan Lowe, the sound engineer.
“Those days in the studio were really fun. When it was coming to an end, there were a lot of really great vibes; the weather was really nice in New York and I loved Brooklyn. It was so cool to be there, doing the one thing we love. It all came together.”
Aaron took the band to a converted 19th century church in Hudson (Future Past Studios) to lay down the initial tracks for the album. The video for the debut single, 'Home', documents this experience. The enlightened space set the scene for Little May to dissect and hone their sound, under Aaron's guidance. “I haven't worked with that many producers. In the past we've given them the song, and we've added a few things here and there. With Aaron, he flipped a lot of them on their head, and stripped a lot of elements away; to go back to the core of what Little May is.
“Instead of trying to build on our songs and make them bigger or more poppier... he was really honest and respectful to the song. There were songs we thought he would hate, but he was like, 'I love this, let’s do this with that'. The song would form into this completely different piece. It's nice having someone who can look at something from a really different perspective.”
On developing the album's concept, Hannah found harmonious themes in guitarist Annie's album art and the songs themselves. “The artwork is based on her nightmares, and her dreams. A lot of the songs are from real experiences, but when you reflect on them, they can become like a nightmare or a dream. They're good experiences or bad; that's how I see it.”
The brooding single 'Home', although written three years ago, seems very fitting with the relentless touring that has left Little May somewhat homesick. “It was such a massive experience; but then coming home, and it all being over… I feel like a lot of us are in shock.”
The girls are excited to come home again, after dates in the UK, to tour 'For The Company' on home-soil. “Australian audiences are unlike any other. Their energy is always so good and it's always such a laugh. Everyone is so supportive and excited for you, and you're excited for them to be there, and to share it with friends and family. I will always love playing Australian shows over any other place.”
For Little May, the dream has only just begun. After just four Australian dates, they'll be staring down the gauntlet of a 25-date international tour. “I think we're excited and nervous and all of those feelings. Now that the wheels are starting to turn, we're getting a wriggle on and buckling our seatbelts; getting ready for anything.”
'For the Company' is released 9 October.
Written by Leisa Howlett
Little May ‘For The Company’ Tour Dates
Fri 18 Sept – Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)Sat 19 Sept – The Foundry (Brisbane)
Thu 24 Sept– The Corner Hotel (Melbourne)
Sat 26 Sept – Jack Rabbit Slims (Perth)
