On Recording With The National's Aaron Dessner & Dreams Coming True

21 September 2015 | 4:38 pm | Annelise Ball

"It was quite intimidating to work with someone you really look up to, but we all had one vision and trusted Aaron from the beginning."

Dreamers and believers, meet your new heroines Little May. Sydney's folk-rock trio have been making their dreams come true all year, travelling the world touring, playing major US and European festivals and recording elegant debut album For The Company with The National's Aaron Brooking Dessner. 

"To think we'd have an album done within two months is the first thing that blows my mind," says Drummond, on reflection. "We've had a massive year playing so many shows all over the world, it's everything I've ever wanted." Being big fans of The National already, having Aaron Brooking Dessner himself produce their album was the ultimate career high. "I would never have believed that could happen, and I don't think I was ever one of those believers," Drummond says. "It was quite intimidating to work with someone you really look up to, but we all had one vision and trusted Aaron from the beginning."

Putting themselves out there while being prepared to fail was the key to Little May manoeuvering into the miracle zone. "I'm quite an introvert as a musician and I doubt myself a lot," says Drummond. "I think what helped was having the other girls [Annie Hamilton, Hannah Field] wanting to put stuff out there, playing gigs when you're not necessarily prepared as you'd want to be but you've done all you can, and just dealing with the blows when they come."

"It was quite intimidating to work with someone you really look up to."

Luckily, the blows were limited to bog-standard tour troubles like running out of money and petrol. Recording the album at Future Past Studios — a former 19th century church in Hudson, New York — was no trouble at all. ""I would say the whole experience was pretty smooth," Drummond says. "Everyone seemed to agree on the same things, which I think can be rare, and everything Aaron did was so tasteful and right for the songs."

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Understated production with elegant arrangements sums up the feel of For The Company. First single Home was one of the earlier songs the band wrote together, to which Drummond credits the Dessner-inspired drum element for lifting the track to somewhere special. Subtle string arrangements by acclaimed violinist Rob Moose (Antony & The Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, The National) add extra beauty throughout the record, particularly on Cicadas and Oh My My. "Rob Moose came in and arranged the strings," Drummond recalls. "It was so stunning, I think a few of us shed some tears that day." Dessner's subtle production style also clearly suited Little May well. "What I love about Aaron is that he appreciates music peppered with the right stuff," Drummond says. "You don't have to have full-on production to create something of substance." For The Company totally proves this point. 

"I think it's a matter of preparing ourselves to be at peace when things aren't going well."

With visual arts playing an integral part in the Little May story since the beginning, as Hamilton herself produces all of the band's artwork, it makes perfect sense for Little May's debut album to be launched with art exhibition #ArtForTheCompany. Running from Friday 2 until Sunday 4 October at Goodspace, above the Gladstone Hotel in Chippendale, Sydney, the physical exhibition features 11 local artists, each producing artwork inspired by a selected track from For The Company. The exhibition will feature work from photographers McLean Stephenson and Prue Stent, Sydney-based muralist Mulga, fashion label Serpent & The Swan, and illustrators Georgia Hill, Ears, Honey Long, Antwerpen, Emily Ells, Furry Little Peach and Luschia Porter. "The more we've progressed, the more we've realised how important art is to what we do," says Drummond. "Annie and our manager came up with the idea and we're so lucky each artist wanted to take part."

Such is the contagious nature of art, as Little May's music in this case inspires and shapes further artistic expressions in mediums such as photography, illustration and fashion. "It's so exciting", enthuses Drummond. "It's our first album, and to have artists interpret our songs in their own way is very cool. We should just do endless exhibitions of what's been inspired out of it!"

As if releasing your debut record with an art exhibition isn't exciting enough, Little May are heading around the world on tour, after four home shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. 

"I'd be lying if I didn't say I was nervous, especially playing our new songs." confesses Drummond. "Last tour, we all got a bit sick, which was a blow. I think it's a matter of preparing ourselves to be at peace when things aren't going well." But don't feel too sorry for Little May, they'll be just fine. "Touring is the most epic fun experience ever and I wouldn't have it any other way," she says. "We're like sisters, we're so comfortable with each other and we know each other so well." Travelling the world with your best friends, playing your own beautiful songs is just another dream come true for Little May.