little image
Article by Brittany Ormiston
Hosted by: 1824 - UMG’s creative solutions team
Photo by: Tyler Krippahne
From performing in the basement of JJ’s Pizza in Dallas, TX to touring with their favorite bands growing up, little image has had the journey of a lifetime. little image began as kids in high school playing music together in a garage. A tight-knit, long-lasting friendship quickly formed with the passion of music, and determination for success at its very core. In 2017, the alternative/indie band released their first album, Musings, putting them on the map. Since then, Jackson Simmons (vocals/guitar), Brandon Walters (bass/synth) and Troy Bruner (drums) have grown up, accepted each other’s differences, and continued to build trust within their circle. The trio is gearing up to release SELF TITLED on May 12th, which displays a new sound and invites listeners to enter into a world the band has built from the ground up.
little image was very intentional with every detail of SELF TITLED as they wanted it to tell a story, and be an experience from start to finish. “We’re proud that it is something you can really listen through front to back multiple times and get something new out of it every time, and enter that world with us,” shared Troy. There will be just as many new songs as there are singles to make the record even more special for the band, and those who step into the experience with them. The track list begins with ‘EGO’ to set the stage, and ends with ‘GLUE’ as the perfect “deep-cut track” to describe the last few years as a band. Aside from the music, little image dove head-first into the visuals and cinematography on SELF TITLED to further make the world come alive. They combined forces with Sawyer Skipper and Brandon Waddell on several projects, including the music video for recent single ‘OUT OF MY MIND.’ “Brandon [Waddell] and Sawyer helped create this world to invite people into…The idea is you are being transported to the same place every time,” Brandon explained. The entire team, including each band member, were able to provide creative direction for the visuals used to reflect on the themes of the new record.
Inclusivity and creating a community has also been of extreme importance to little image, and the world they have formed. Their name speaks for itself, and the band considers themselves a very small part of the picture. Their main goal is to ensure everyone is welcome and loved, and the community is “a space for anyone who needs it.” The trio’s intention is to release music that is disarming, and allows those who listen to be authentically themselves. The lyrics of the dark, yet hopeful track, ‘WORTH IT,’ perfectly describe how everyone deserves to be heard, and made to feel worth it. This song was one of the first released from SELF TITLED, and is still the most important song to the band. This mindset speaks volumes for little image’s character, and their kindheartedness will help pave the way through the music industry.
little image has moved mountains over the past decade as a band, and had their fair share of humbling experiences accompanied by challenging ones. They were provided with monumental opportunities to provide support for iconic bands, such as Bad Suns, Panic! At The Disco, Switchfoot, and currently Colony House. The countless hours of hard work and dedication will soon pay off as the release of SELF TITLED is nearing. The trio have seen every moment of this journey as a gift, and continue to lean on each other in times of hardship and celebration. In the end, little image’s friendship is the glue that holds all of them together.
