Tiny Little Houses blew their fair share of socks off with their debut EP, and now they’re back with a second one just about to drop.
With their own new record being pushed out of the nest, we’ve had a chat with lead singer Caleb scope out some of the records that got Tiny Little Houses to where they are today, and it’s a pretty interesting list – we’re already trying to pick out sonic references in everything from ‘Milo Tin’ to current single ‘Song Despite Apathy’.
Snow Globe is out tomorrow through Ivy League Records, and TLH will be heading out on a launch tour in November, dates below. For now, here are the 6 albums that changed Tiny Little Houses lives.
The Microphones – The Glow Pt. 2
One of the few perfectly-balanced experimental albums. I fell in love with its mix of folk, emo and rock, and Phil Elverum’s relatable but magical storytelling. Songs about going back to get your stuff from your ex-girlfriend’s house and getting turned into a headless horseman, taking your shirt off in the backyard and losing the glow.
Elliott Smith – New Moon
Yeah, I know it’s a compilation album, and the thought that someone would posthumously release demos and unfinished material of my own creeps me out as well. That being said, it has to be one of the most beautiful and fragile collections of songs I know.
It changed my life to realise that the demos and unfinished versions of his songs trump nearly any of the officially released versions e.g. ‘Pretty Mary K’ and ‘Miss Misery’. I think as an artist you overthink songs, but New Moon taught me that it’s okay to let go – that songs change over time and that releasing rough material is okay.
My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
I avoided My Bloody Valentine like the plague for so long, partly because it was so hyped to me, and also partly because I made the common mistake of thinking that people were referring to Bullet For My Valentine. When I finally realised the error of my ways and listened to the album in full, my world changed.
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MBV are still the greatest shoegaze band because they don’t rely on the genre and the shoegaze aesthetic as a crutch. Their songs are melodic and addictive and no-one seems to have ever come close to the perfection of Loveless. I’m still convinced nothing sounds as close to falling in love as ‘When You Sleep’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmhfN386Skw
Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
I remember hearing Neutral Milk Hotel for the first time and not quite understanding what I was listening to. It was so dark, like I was going inside the deepest recesses of an artist’s mind and was finding stuff that I shouldn’t know about them.
The world in Jeff’s music is so twisted, attractive and repulsive. Its a struggle between the innocent and pure, and the sick and perverted. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea truly is one of the greatest indie rock records (which unfortunately has been hyped to oblivion), but really, you should listen to it because it’s actually just that good.
Modest Mouse – Interstate 8
“Sometimes all I really want to feel is love. Sometimes I’m angry that I feel so angry” and “I spent the same 18 hours in the same damn place, I’m going nowhere, but I’m guaranteed to be late” summed up how I felt about myself when I first listened to this album. I was a fan of Modest Mouse like most people from Good News For People Who love Bad News, but Interstate 8 is just so angsty and messy – a true snapshot of what it’s like to be a male in your early 20s.
Weezer – Blue Album
What else can I say except that it’s dorky, it’s angsty, it’s self aware, and it has some of the best pop songs of the last 20 years. Thank you Weezer for always being uncool.
The Gerbils – Are You Sleepy?
Not many people have heard this album, but there are a bunch of indie rock/pop gems on Are You Sleepy?, and some of my favourite songs ever like ‘Glue’, ‘Crayon Box’, and ‘Is She Fiona’ have influenced my songwriting. Strangely addictive songs that could have hit mainstream success if only if they weren’t recorded so damn fuzzily… luckily for us we can keep them all to ourselves.
Tiny little Houses ‘Snow Globe’ Tour
HOBART, TAS
Saturday 5th November, 2016
Republic Bar
ADELAIDE, SA
Friday 11th November, 2016
Ed Castle
PERTH, WA
Saturday 12th November, 2016
Rosemount Hotel
SYDNEY,NSW
Friday 18th November, 2016
Plan B Small Club (formerly Good God Small Club)
MELBOURNE, VIC
Friday 25th November, 2016
Howler w/ DARTS and Jarrow
GEELONG, VIC
Saturday 26th November, 2016
Workers Club
BRISBANE, QLD
Thursday December 8th November, 2016
Wooly Mammoth w/ Major Leagues
