Asbury Park’s self-proclaimed “bitch rockers” Little Hag are gearing up to release their new album, Now That’s What I Call Little Hag, on August 23 via Bar/None Records. Fronted by Avery Mandeville, who recently went viral on TikTok, the band unveils the album’s first single, “The Machine,” with a music video directed by Kris Khunachak, featured on VEVO Pride: DSCVR Future Icons. Mandeville describes “The Machine” as an anthem about the joys of self-satisfaction post-breakup, evolving into a celebration of newfound love. The album, recorded across various studios with multiple producers, showcases Mandeville's versatile songwriting, from punk rock bangers to tender ballads, tackling themes like capitalism, self-scrutiny, and heartache. Little Hag’s lineup, formed in 2016, includes guitarist Matt Fernicola, drummer Owen Flanagan, bassist Mitchell Warren-Devlin, and keyboardist/vocalist Cara Introcaso. With a history of powerful feminist anthems and dynamic live performances, Little Hag is set to host several shows and listening parties in New Jersey this summer. Join us as we dive into an exclusive interview with Avery Mandeville about their creative process, inspirations, and what’s next for Little Hag.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
A good songwriter knows what makes their perspective interesting to listeners. If I hear one more shitty song about smoking cigarettes or watching the sunset I’m going to be sick. Who cares? I love to hear people dig deep and write about what’s real and honest to them.
Q: What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in this day and age?
I think people really rock with being silly and fun, like Wet Leg saying “I went to school and I got the big D” or Charli xcx saying “You wanna guess the color of my underwear.” Things that are cheeky and playful tend to stand out, like an inside joke that you’re in on.
Q: What has it been like working with an indie record label as opposed to working on your own?
It's been really amazing! Doing it alone is incredibly hard so I feel very lucky to have all of the support of the team at Bar/None Records. I’ve gotten to do some really amazing things, like leave the country for the first time ever to play a festival in Limerick, Ireland all thanks to them!
Q: Can you pinpoint some specific songs and songwriters that changed the way you write music?
The Bad Touch by Bloodhound Gang is in the back of my mind with almost everything I do because being stupid is important to me. If I’m not busy being a dick I’d love to one day write something as raw as Torn by Ednaswap or anything by Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainwright and Elliott Smith. For our upcoming record we referenced a lot of LCD Soundsystem, Nine Inch Nails, The Breeders, Grandaddy, The Cardigans and The Killers.
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by artists that are younger than you, or are you motivated by their energy? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
I love the artistry and energy of Chappel Roan and Charli xcx’s new record. Moreso I’m inspired by my friend’s bands like Hank Heaven, Al Olender, Renny Conti, American Trappist, Samia, Pucker Up!, Wormy, latewaves and Modern Chemistry.
Q: For your new album, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
I wrote the record piecemeal in the year or so before and after a breakup. In that time I learned a lot about myself, my dreams, my sexuality, and my attachments to people and places. The title “Now That’s What I Call Little Hag” was inspired by my nostalgia for the compilation albums and because we recorded 13 songs with 8 producers in 8 studios so it feels like a genre diverse Little Hag sampler.
Q: Do you find that you ruminate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them? Do you ever re-visit old material to do a re-write or once it’s done it’s done?
Making a record takes forever so naturally I’ll have some songs I wrote 3 or 4 years ago that are only coming out now, but I would love to have the time management skills to speed up that turnaround. I have a hard time reworking a song that I’ve written so usually it stays exactly how it was written in the hour I wrote it. If I ever make any changes it’s because I’m collaborating with people who help me punch things up.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project?
Everything sounds so much better when you’re having fun and being weird!