Little May first jumped right into my radar with their Triple J Like a Version cover of Great Southern Land by Icehouse, complete with soulful soft vocals. Hearing them play it live was even better– there were no nerves, high energy, and they just had fun with it.
The Corner in Richmond had packed in the folks to see the Sydney based group play towards the end of an East Coast tour. The five piece band (Four of which are ladies, heck yeah for female representation in the music scene!) seem to have their sound downpat, and after a run of shows the stage was their new home. They seemed super comfortable and chatted away with the audience about grumpy neighbours and the noise complaints that follow long rehearsal sessions. It was wonderful watching the band members interact with each other while playing, guitar solos being an excuse to pop over and see how the (amazing) drummer was doing.
The group have spent a little time recording in the US with Aaron Dessner from the National, and premiered a song they cowrote with him that seems to be a perfect mesh of the sound of the two bands– it was a little different from the rest of Little May’s set, and knowing the National influence made all the more sense.
Little May’s vocals are their crowning glory– vocals and harmonies that are the audible equivalent of smooth honey. They’re about to jet off to the UK (if you’re there, get along and see them!) but their exciting debut album is about to come unto the world, and I can’t wait to spend time soaking in the vocals and reminiscing about seeing them live. Keep a close eye on their tour page to know when you can see them live too and then we can reminisce together– they’ll be back for Falls so if you’re lucky enough to have tickets, do. Not. Miss. Their. Set.
-Jasmin Ashton
Jasmin Ashton is a PR student and designer from Melbourne who has a lot of feelings about pretty much everything and a need to share them. Find her at @Jasmanna.
Little May return in December to play at Falls Festival. For dates and other tour news check their websitee.