Alan Little's debut solo Americana folk album, While They Were Sleeping, features topical lyrics, soulful singing and suitcase drums. His original songs are anchored by Alan's intricate acoustic guitar fingerpicking, aided and abetted by his many musical compadres in Huntsville.

Little is unafraid to tackle the political injustices in this flawed place we call Earth. The tracks “Rockets and Watercress” and “Badge of Norman” make reference to lingering issues of the post-Jim Crow era. Alan says, “There’s a huge lack of desire to understand these problems. Our ways of life become more ingrained in ourselves because of our parents and those around us.” He’s able to boldly display a more vulnerable side to himself, like on the song, “Choose.” This track showcases Little with his beckoning vocals, urging the listener that love is a critical component to our community. These heavy topics are even more compelling when accompanied with jazz embellishments and plucky guitar strings, which is just how Alan Little rolls. Little is clearly gifted in making observations on his environment and personal life, while using folk instrumentation as a foundation.

Alan doesn’t make music solely about himself. On the closing track “Just the Same,” Little puts himself in the shoes of co-writer John Schmitt, a good friend of his who served in the U.S. Army. Schmitt discussed the meaning behind the song, saying, “The initial context was simple: people really aren’t that different. In America, especially as of late, there doesn’t seem to be much space for common ground.” Schmitt had previously suffered from severe PTSD, but was convinced by Little to take up songwriting. This new direction in life has since made John Schmitt a generally happier person, who is much more able to cope with his trauma, “I know now that much of songwriting is about focusing, dissecting, and correlating, which for me was an effective exercise to relearning how to feel joy.”

If you like music that can heal wounds, then give While They Were Sleeping a listen.

• Photography by Mike Matthews

Album Personnel:

• Alan Little - guitar, harmonica, suitcase drums, vocals
• John Onder - bass
• Drew Bolling - dobro, upright bass
• Ben Davis - Mandolin
• Jim Cavender - guitar, slide guitar, bass
• Nick Walker - upright bass, string arrangements
• Mike Dendy - drums
• Jeff Woods - percussion
• Newt Johnson - piano, accordion
• Maiah Wynne - backing vocals (Maiah was the winner of the Music From The Moon songwriting contest)
• Tara Sayre - backing vocals
• Jenn Brown - backing vocals
• Karmessa Padgett - backing vocals
• Rita Burkholder - ukulele
• Richard Campbell - trumpets
• Ben Cohen - saxophones

Songwriting:

• Alan Little - music and lyrics
• John Schmitt - lyrics

What are people saying?

"Imminently listenable bluesy Americana folk delivered by a Rocket City John Hiatt" - James Spoonie Seay, The Mayor of Campus 805

American Songwriter has a lot to say about the collaboration between Alan and John. Dig it!

"Alan Little is a talented, soulful-voiced singer/songwriter" - Matt Wake, "Background Music No More", al.com

Links:

• Facebook
• Alan on Instagram