Overview
Sydney trio Little May could be Australia's answer to folk warblers First Aid Kit. They've certainly been compared to the Swedish duo, and to New Zealand's Tiny Ruins, but at the moment they are carving out their own path. They've recently put out their debut, self-titled EP and just wrapped up an Australian tour with the legendary Rodriguez. But there's no rest for the wicked (or the wickedly charming, in this case). Little May are about to embark on a 12-date national headline tour to promote the EP.
With hype following Little May wherever they wander — from appearances at Splendour and Laneway, to an intimate showcase in London, a string of shows at CMJ in New York, and now this tour back home — the trio know a thing or two about being on the road. With summer road trip season coming up, we thought we'd check in with Liz Drummond, Hannah Field and Annie Hamilton to get us all geared up for hittin' the ol' frog and toad.
What's been your best road trip so far, whether with the band or on your own steam?
Annie: When I was in Mexico a couple of years ago I hired a car and drove through the desert for a few days to a tiny town called Xilitla, where there is a magical rainforest filled with surrealist scultpures, towers, pools and waterfalls. I got lost in a maze and slept in a teepee that had teapots hanging from the ceiling. It was crazy and weird and amazing.
Liz: The trip up to Splendour was probably the best. I always love road trips up to Byron, but having the excitement of playing Splendour was pretty unreal.
Hannah: I went on a six-week road trip with my best friend, Kandis, when I was 19. We did a big chunk of Australia's East Coast in my old Nissan Pulsar 'Bruce'. At one point Kand vomited in her handbag, lost her wallet, replaced wallet, withdrew all her money from the bank as she didn't have an ATM card, then had said wallet stolen from the caravan park we were staying at in Coff's. It was so fun.
Where are you heading on your road trippin' tour this time around?
Liz: I think we will probably be flying to most places on this tour in November. On our last tour we drove everywhere. It was a bit touch and go at points, we left Brisbane and arrived in Melbourne just in time to go on stage. I think that was what was the most fun about it though. We will be driving down to Wollongong and Canberra though, which is always fun.
Looking forward to any stop in particular?
Annie: I've never been to the Sunshine Coast before, so definitely looking forward to that! We're up there in early December so will hopefully have a bit of spare time to go to the beach.
Liz: I'm looking forward to driving down the South Coast, it's so beautiful. I love visiting Wollongong and playing there, and seeing friends and other bands we haven't caught up with in a while. We always play at Yours and Owls (it's now called Rad), which is the smallest but coolest venue.
Hannah: I'm excited for Perth. We have a day off in between shows, so it will be really great to just hang out at the beach, explore and have adventures.
What do you drive on the road?
Annie: Our amazing bass player, Mark, has a pretty awesome yellow troopie van from the 90s. He let us borrow it for the last few road trips, so fingers crossed we can use it again this time round! Then again, it has no air-con or radio, so we may not be too happy with it after a month-long summer tour...
Hannah: It's the best. It hurts your bottom after a while though.
What's on your road trip playlist?
Liz: Cloud Control, Thom Yorke's new album, The National, Fink, Father John Misty.
Hannah: You can't really go past Springsteen. He's my only necessity.
Annie: At the moment it's the new alt-J album on repeat.
What's your preferred road trip snack?
Liz: Apples. And lollies. I am addicted to sugar.
Hannah: Frosty Fruits and/or Nerds.
Annie: After several long drives to Melbourne and Brissy earlier this year we all got pretty over Maccas and started packing hummus and carrots as car snacks. This is a great idea until you lose the lid and end up with warm hummus all over everything... Watch out for that.
Know any good car games?
Liz: We make up a lot of stupid games. Mark usually inspires something absurd. We have spent a lot of road trips listening to him make up characters, and then interviewing them. He is an awesome actor, so it can get really weird at times. It's not always funny — sometimes his characters are really sad, and we asked them really intense questions. Hannah gets really wigged out by it, it's pretty funny.
Annie: All the classics. I Spy never gets old.
If you're a tragic holiday Instagrammer like the best of us, got a favourite filter for roadies?
Liz: I am pretty bad at taking photos, I don't take enough. But in all honesty, if I'm in the photo, I basically just go through the filters until I think I look the best. Everyone is guilty of doing that.
Hannah: I am really bad at social media… But I think there is one I have used called Amaro? Quite nice. Nice vibes.
Annie: After just browsing through all of the filters trying to decide I'm going to say anything except Kelvin (sorry Kelvin).
Where would you like to road trip in the future?
Hannah: Would love to do the States, that would be incredible.
Annie: I would love to do a road trip around Europe. I've never been there before so hopefully we'll get a chance sometime in the future to tour there!
Catch Little May on their national tour this November/December:
Fri 21 Nov Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Northcote Social Club or 1300 724 867.
Sat 22 Nov The Front Gallery & Cafe, Canberra
With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Oztix or 1300 762 545.
Thurs 27 Nov Newtown Social Club, Sydney
With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Newtown Social Club or 1300 724 867.
Fri 28 Nov Newtown Social Club, Sydney
With I Know Leopard and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Newtown Social Club or 1300 724 867.
Sat 29 Nov Gorgeous Music Festival, McLaren Vale
Tickets through Oztix or 1300 762 545.
Fri 5 Dec Solbar, Sunshine Coast
With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Oztix or 1300 762 545
Sat 6 Dec Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
With special guests Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Oztix or 1300 762 545
Little May's debut EP is available digitally now via Dew Process and UMA Recordings.
Words by Jessica Surman. Interview by Shannon Connellan.