Emerging Lo-Fi/Folk Toronto Talent BLAKE LITTLE Drops Anticipated Single “Spring”
Introducing Blake Little, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Toronto making waves already, and just released his highly anticipated new single, “Spring” out now.
With his undeniable passion for a musical story and a unique low-fi rock sound, Little delivers an emotionally charged song that explores the complexities of heartbreak, personal growth, and the fleeting nature of life.
Little’s musical journey began at a young age when he discovered his love for singing and playing the guitar. Pulling on inspiration from a formidable range of rock genres, including Zeppelin, Little’s music offers raw authenticism mixed with 90s grunge and early 2000s rock. His distinct vocal palette shines through, commanding listeners to hear his words.
“Spring” captures Little’s reflections on the transitional season, evoking a mix of melancholy, forward-thinking, and introspection. While spring has always held significance for Little, being born in April, he reveals his growing resentment towards this time of year as he grows. Gazing out his window at the rain pouring down, Blake paints a vivid picture of the muddy and gloomy early months of spring, contrasting it with the allure of fall.
Unafraid to bare his soul through this new single, Little explains that ‘Spring’ is directed towards a relationship ending due to circumstances beyond their control. This personal touch adds flavour, depth, and vulnerability to the song as Little confronts his emotions and expresses his vulnerability.
Sonically, “Spring” marks a fresh sound for Little. As an artist, he has always strived to experiment and push the boundaries of his style, taking inspiration from iconic bands like Led Zeppelin. Little’s versatility allows the song to draw on multiple genres and sounds, including the late 90s and early 2000s music. Grungey distorted electrics, a low-end pumping bass, and simple yet solid, hard-hitting drums accompany his emotionally fitting vocals. This modest combination allows Little’s vocals and lyrics to stay at the top of the song without interference from other overzealous instruments.
In the studio, Little performed every instrument apart from the drums. This hands-on approach allows him to experiment and form control, bringing his unique musical direction to life. Nevertheless, Little expresses his desire to collaborate with other artists, eager to explore the creative possibilities of working together.
“‘Sometimes our lives compromise what we hold dear’ – It’s not the most complex line, but it’s probably my favorite in the song,”
Shares Little, highlighting the emotional depth and introspection that pervades “Spring.”
Contrary to belief, “Spring” is not just a melancholic adventure. The second verse carries a powerful message about cherishing the good moments in life before they pass us by. Little’s poignant lyrics draw inspiration from the film “Blow,” paraphrasing a memorable line from Ray Liotta’s character:
“Sometimes you’re flush, and sometimes you’re bust, and when you’re up, it’s never as good as it seems, and when you’re down, you never think you’ll be up again, but life goes on.”
‘Sometimes you’re up
Never good as it seems
Mr. Jung told me years ago
I finally know what he means.
Don’t get me wrong
It wasn’t long between you and me
I think I miss more what we could have been.’
This quote encapsulates the underlying principles behind ‘Spring’ and serves as a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictable nature.
As Little starts down his musical path, “Spring” is a testament to his musical growth. This ear-hugging new single serves as a potent reminder that life’s twists and turns often shape our perspective and inspire profound thoughtfulness.
Listen to “Spring” below and learn more about Blake via our mini-interview.
Care to introduce yourself?
My name’s Blake Little, and I’m a musician from Toronto, Canada. I’ve been singing and playing guitar since I was 10. Today, I love all things music, and try my best to stay up to date with most things music.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “Spring.”
“Spring” was an interesting song to write cause it came in waves. I started writing the song while I was in a relationship with a Woman, so naturally, the guitar and melody were initially meant to be a love song. The first verse has echoes of it, but really I didn’t get to writing the song’s lyrics until we had eventually broken up. So as I sat down and looked outside as it pissed out in April, all I could think in my mind was ‘man I really don’t like Spring, all this mud and gloom just ain’t it for me’. I was definitely in my feels, but I still stand on the fact that Spring is an overrated season. Nonetheless, the lyrics naturally came from there, and what was once a love ballad became a cry out for summer to come. From there I went to the studio a few times to lay the song down and record a final cut, but unlike most songs, Spring was very much built outside the studio. I knew what I wanted going in.
What’s it like being a musician in Toronto?
Being a musician in Toronto is super exciting. So many great musicians around the area, all with different styles and sounds. It’s a lot to take in, but fantastic nonetheless.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
First was probably Rush. Those boys know how to play, and as songwriters, they were as sharp as anyone yet to come. As of recently (though not that recent) Daniel Caesar has definitely been someone whose career I’ve paid a lot of attention to. Just a fantastic artist to say the least.
You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
If there was one piece of advice I could give would be to keep writing. Whether you wanna admit it writing will not only keep your songs and your skills sharp and fresh, but it’s a great way to deal with how you as an artist feels. Yeah, just keep writing no matter what.