Interview: Caleb Karvountzis from Tiny Little Houses

Melbourne indie-rock darlings Tiny Little Houses are riding high on the release of their loveable sophomore EP ‘Snow Globe’. Before they set out on their first national tour, we nabbed some time with frontman Caleb Karvountzis to chat about the inspirations and processes behind the new EP!

You guys have just released your second EP ‘Snow Globe’, what was the recording process for it like?

We went into studio intending to record an album but ended up finding a distinction between the 10 songs we recorded in studio. Some tracks that we recorded felt closer to (debut EP) ‘You Tore Out My Heart’ and others felt different to the direction we were going with this collection. We went back into studio a few months later after thinking about what this EP meant to us and recorded two more tracks as well as adding final touches to the other tracks, and thus ‘Snow Globe’ was born!

What artists were you listening to during the recording of the EP? Do you think they helped influence the sound on the new EP?

I really don’t listen to much music when we are writing or recording new songs because it kind of intimidates me and I get really self conscious about my own writing. A lot of these songs were older tracks written around or before ‘You Tore Out My Heart’, but there are some recording techniques and styles which influenced the sound on this EP. I really liked that compressed tape sound on a lot of 90’s lo-fi records so the Microphones, The Gerbils, and Neutral Milk Hotel all influenced me in that way.

In what ways is ‘Snow Globe’ different to your debut EP ‘You Tore Out My Heart’?

I think it’s darker and fuzzier sounding then our first EP. There’s certainly a lot of cross over between the themes of the two EP’s, which is why we decided to make ‘Snow Globe’ as more of an exploration from the songs established in ‘You Tore Out My Heart’. The songs on ‘Snow Globe’ are less pop focused then on our first EP. When you put out material for the first time you’re aim is more to get some attention, whereas now we are a little more comfortable writing songs which have more pop subtlety!

What made you choose to put a cover on ‘Snow Globe’, and how did you decide on it being Not Pretty Enough?

The cover was recorded in the very last few hours on the last day in studio. We had some time to spare and I had covered this tune on my 4-track cassette earlier on in the year with some programmed drums and really liked how it sounded.

I’ve always loved the original song but think that a male’s voice brings out a different message to the song. To me it’s less about being overlooked and more about dealing with rejection maturely and the expectations of masculinity. Once we finished the cover it really seemed to sit nicely within the other songs so we decided to put it in. I’m really glad we did!

Your new single Song Despite Apathy seems to have a pretty important message to it, what made you decide to write a song about such an existential issue?

I’m a religious person so the thoughts in that song are on my mind constantly. The track was inspired by a scripture in the book of Romans where Paul muses on the idea of sin, death, and being a slave to his desire.

Lastly, what do you have planned for the rest of 2016?

We’re going on our biggest tour to date over November/December, hitting most of the capitals along with some regional shows. We’re also supporting Garbage in December which will be amazing! After that we’re going to lock ourselves away and record this (debut) album. It’s all written and we can’t wait to get it on tape and out to everyone!

Tiny Little Houses Live Dates

SAT 5 NOV
Republic Bar, Hobart
FRI 11 NOV
The Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Adelaide
SAT 12 NOV
Rosemount Hotel,Perth
FRI 18 NOV
Plan B Small Club, Sydney
FRI 25 NOV
Howler, Melbourne
SAT 26 NON
The Workers Club, Geelong
THURS 8 DEC
Woolly Mammoth Alehouse, Brisbane

Get Tickets HERE