Craig Hartley and Eli Friedmann, the genre-hopping duo Small Multiples, initially met when both were attending New School University in New York City. Time passed and the two went their separate ways but came back together when Hartley reached out to Friedmann to see if he’d be willing to play some new songs that he’d written. And so Small Multiples was born. The term “small multiple” was popularized by Yale professor emeritus and visual artist Edward Tufte and came to describe a method that allowed for “quick visual comparison exhibiting variety and scopes of alternatives.” The duo use this concept as a way of melodically integrating numerous influences and sounds without undermining the integrity of each individual piece.
The debut release from the duo comes in the form of a 5 track self-titled EP. The songs that stretch across the Small Multiples EP range from churning Bat For Lashes-style indie rock to mid-90’s alt-rock throwbacks, with melodies that twist and turn and double back on themselves at the slightest touch. Given both artists genre-spanning musical backgrounds, the conglomeration and integration of numerous influences on this EP makes for a fascinating and rewarding experience. Sounding like the product of decades of musical history, the band never settles into one groove for very long before finding another angle of approach. By constantly working towards and watching out for the best way to extend and refine their musical tendencies, Hartley and Friedmann have allowed Small Multiples the leeway to do whatever they want, however they want to do it.
Beats Per Minute is pleased to premiere the album stream of Small Multiples’ self-titled debut EP.
