Little Quirks

Little Quirks are an Australian indie folk band formed on the Central Coast (New South Wales) in 2015 by sisters, Abbey Toole (guitar, vocals) and Mia Toole (drums, vocals), and their cousin Jaymi Toole (mandolin, vocals). The group have toured Australia and released four extended plays. In 2019 they were joined by Alex Toole (Jaymi's older brother) on bass guitar and since late 2021 Jordan Rouse provided electric guitar.

Little Quirks
OriginCentral Coast (New South Wales), Australia
Genres
Years active2015–present
LabelsABC Music
Members
  • Abbey Toole
  • Jaymi Toole
  • Mia Toole
  • Alex Toole
  • Jordan Rouse
Websitelittlequirksband.com

History

Little Quirks were formed in 2015 in Gosford on the Central Coast, New South Wales by Abbey Toole (15 years-old) on guitar and lead vocals, her sister Mia Toole (11 years-old) on drums and vocals, and their cousin, Jaymi Toole (17 years-old) on mandolin and vocals.[1][2] They started busking at food markets by playing cover versions of tracks by the Cranberries, Of Monsters and Men, and Vance Joy.[2] The band were named by one of their parents, Abbey recalled, "We have always been very quirky kids and have our own little ways we do things."[3] The band members' fathers had performed together in groups including Adam's Apple and in Sugarmoth.[2]

Little Quirks issued their first extended play, Where We Hide, in 2016.[4] It was produced by Abbey and Mia's father Adam Toole.[1] Their early influences were The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons.[1][5] The trio toured in support of Jack River, Xavier Rudd and Alex the Astronaut.[6] Their second EP, Suzie Knows, appeared in 2017.[7][8] In November of the following year they toured Western Australia.[7] In 2019 their track, "Cover My Eyes", co-written by the trio, was a semi-finalist in two categories at the International Songwriting Competition: Americana and Folk, Singer-Songwriter.[9] The group performed at the National Folk Festival in Easter 2019 in Canberra.[8] Abbey described their music, "Folk is for all ages. It's one of the rawest and most real styles of music, where you can hear very personal stories you can relate to in songs. There's just something different about folk that we know other young people will love if they give it a chance."[10]

Jaymi's older brother, Alex Toole (24 years-old), joined on bass guitar during 2019.[1][11] He is also a secondary school music teacher.[1] In January 2020 they issued another EP, Cover My Eyes, and started their tour of east coast venues.[4][12][13] The EP was produced at Hercules Studios by Wayne Connolly for Ditto Music.[13][14] Women in Pop's Jess Richards felt, "[it] is a beguiling collection of five alt-folk tracks."[15] Rod Yates of Brisbane Times observed, "Underneath the pastoral harmonies, lilting alt-folk and spirited singalongs lie some dark lyrical themes, particularly in the title track and its musings on mental health."[2]

Due to COVID-19 restrictions they had been unable to tour for 18 months.[16] They issued another single, "Florence's Town", in September 2020 via ABC Music.[17] Unable to travel to the United Kingdom, they live-streamed the single launch of "Florence's Town", together with other tracks, from Damien Gerard Studios, Gosford in October.[18][19] The live-stream included video collaborations with the Once and with Winterbourne.[19] In December Little Quirks were signed to Downtown Music Publishing.[20]

In December 2021 the line-up of Abbey, Jaymi and Mia started their The Rain Is Coming Tour, periodically including Alex.[16] By that time their friend, Jordan Rouse had joined to provide electric guitar at some performances.[21][22] In January 2022, due to another COVID-19 outbreak, they postponed their show in Dubbo to April.[23] The group were featured vocalists on the Soul Movers' (see Murray Cook) rendition of Delaney & Bonnie's 1969 song "Groupie (Superstar)" (February 2022).[24] The band appeared at South by Southwest, Texas in March.[23]

They released a single, "The Rain", in March 2022.[25][26] NME's Australian reviewer, Ellie Robinson, described it as "powerful" displaying an "emotive, ballad-esque run driven by coolly strummed acoustic guitars and bright piano chords."[26] Its music video was directed by Tim Swallow.[26] The group delivered their fourth EP, Call to Unknowns, in August 2022.[27] Its six tracks includes the previous three singles, "Someone to Hold", "Florence's Town" and "The Rain".[27][28] The EP was recorded and produced by Adam Toole at Grove Studios and at his home studio.[27][29]

Members
  • Abbey Toole – guitar, vocals (2015–present)
  • Jaymi Toole – mandolin, vocals (2015–present)
  • Mia Toole – drums, vocals (2015–present)
  • Alex Toole – bass guitar (2019–present)
  • Jordan Rouse – electric guitar (2021–present)[21][22]

Discography

Extended plays
List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
Where We Hide
  • Released: 21 October 2016[30]
  • Format: digital
  • Label: Little Quirks
Suzie Knows
  • Released: 2 November 2017[31]
  • Format: digital
  • Label: Little Quirks
Cover My Eyes
  • Released: 24 January 2020[32]
  • Format: digital
  • Label: Little Quirks
Call to Unknowns
  • Released: 25 August 2022[33]
  • Format: digital
  • Label: Little Quirks, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Singles
  • "Crumbled" (2018)[34]
  • "I Told You So" (2018)[35]
  • "Life Wouldn't Be" (2019)[36]
  • "Florence's Town" (2020)[37]
  • "Someone to Hold" (2020)[38]
  • "The Rain" (2022)[39]
  • "Maybelle" (2022)[40]
  • "Storm Like Me" (2023)[41]

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Call to Unknowns Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP Nominated [42][43]

References
  1. Leeson, Josh (30 August 2019). "The success of Central Coast band Little Quirks a family affair". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. Yates, Rod (11 April 2020). "From Busking to Supporting the Teskey Brothers, Little Quirks Are Here to Stay". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. Di Iorio, Michael (8 February 2020). "Get to Know: Family folk trio Little Quirks". Tone Deaf. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  4. Davies, Hayden (January 2020). "Introducing Little Quirks, the family folk band putting out a new EP, Cover My Eyes". Pilerats. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. "How Little Quirks navigate school and superstitions". Electric Lady. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  6. Luke, Dilon (17 April 2020). "Little Quirks Band feature on Isol-Aid Festival". Central Coast Community News. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  7. staff writer (1 November 2018). "Little Quirks - 'I Told You So'". Around the Sound. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. Welby, Augustus (4 May 2019). "Little Quirks reflect on their wide-ranging musical influences". beat.com.au. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  9. "2019 Semi-Finalists". International Songwriting Competition (ISC). Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  10. Hardy, Karen (25 January 2019). "National Folk Festival announces 100 new acts for 2019". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  11. Little Quirks - Devil's Ivy (Official Video) - YouTube
  12. Leeson, Josh (23 January 2020). "Little Quirks and US alt-metal giants Helmet announce Cambridge Hotel shows". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  13. "Little Quirks 2020 Tour". Female.com.au. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  14. "Features: Little Quirks – Cover My Eyes". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  15. Richards, Jess (23 January 2020). "Review: Little Quirks release new EP Cover My Eyes". Women in Pop. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  16. Falson, Sarah (5 January 2022). "Central Coast Band Little Quirks Rain-Dancing into Dubbo". Daily Liberal. Dubbo, NSW. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  17. Phillips, Louie (25 September 2020). "Little Quirks Take Us on a Journey to the Magical Land of 'Florence's Town'". livewireau.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  18. "Studio Focus: Damien Gerard Studios". MixDown. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  19. "Little Quirks Live at Damien Gerard Studio, Gosford". Little Quirks Official YouTube Account. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2022 – via YouTube.
  20. Brandle, Lars (2 December 2020). "Central Coast act Little Quirks sign with Downtown Music Publishing". The Brag. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  21. Grace, Ruby (10 December 2021). "Review: Little Quirks". The Orange News Examiner. Orange, NSW. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  22. Van de Mergel, John (21 March 2022). "Sounds | Little Quirks, 'The Rain'". Brothers in Raw. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  23. Falson, Sarah (19 January 2022). "New date set for Little Quirks show, following COVID disruptions". Daily Liberal. Dubbo, NSW. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  24. Brereton, Greta (28 February 2022). "Listen to the Soul Movers and Little Quirks Cover Delaney & Bonnie's 'Groupie (Superstar)'". NME Australia. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  25. "Finally Friday from Home with Little Quirks and Sam Burchfield". Nashville, TN: WMOT. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  26. Robinson, Ellie (14 March 2022). "Little Quirks embrace the storm on invigorating new single 'The Rain'". NME. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  27. Lumbruso, Darren (5 September 2022). "Little Quirks Call To Unknowns". Americana UK. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  28. Little Quirks (Musical group) (2022), Call to Unknowns, retrieved 2 March 2023
  29. "Little Quirks Release Their New EP Call to Unknowns". hifiway.live. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  30. "Where We Hide – EP by Little Quirks on Apple Music". music.apple.cm. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  31. "Suzie Knows º EP by Little Quirks on Apple Music". music.apple.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  32. "Cover My Eyes – EP by Little Quirks on Apple Music". music.apple.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  33. "Call to Unknowns – EP by Little Quirks on Apple Music". music.apple.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  34. "'Crumbled' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  35. "'I Told You So' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  36. "'Life Wouldn't Be' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  37. "'Florence's Town' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  38. "'Someone to Hold' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  39. "'The Rain' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  40. "'Maybelle' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  41. "'Storm Like Me' - Single - Album by Little Quirks". apple.com. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  42. "Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023". Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  43. "King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards". Music Feeds. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
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