Shoplifting with Tiny Habits
The folk-pop trio reminisces about their childhood and summer memories.
Tiny Habits were formed in Boston, MA by artists Maya Rae, Cinya Khan and Judah Mayowa. The three singer-songwriters met at Berklee College of Music and the band was born at the beginning of 2022. They started out by sharing covers recorded in the stairwell of their dorm and posting them on social media. Focusing on beautifully intimate three-part harmonies the trio's enticing signature sound, offered exquisite, reimagined versions of songs from across a spectrum of styles and quickly drove them to viral success. They received recognition and early support from artists as diverse as David Crosby, Marcus Mumford, Phoebe Bridgers, and Noah Kahan. Collaborations include work with Mark Ronson, JP Saxe and Lizzy McAlpine, who they supported on NPR’s Tiny Desk.
We caught up with Tiny Habits at our NYC store for our newest session of Shoplifting. An invitation to roam the racks in pursuit of the recorded material which has most inspired and shaped their sound today. Be sure to check out their debut album All For Something out now Mom+Pop.
Judah: The first one I picked is Legend by Bob Marley. It’s a record from my childhood. It was something my dad used to listen to. I specifically remember when I was in the car with him one time, I don't remember what Bob Marley song was on, but I'm pretty sure it was from this record. I thought “..is he taking me back to my mom's house right now?” So I asked him and he said, “Why are you asking me that?” and I said, “You're playing this record right now and I feel like every time we're in the car you always play this record when you take us back to mom's.” So Bob Marley kind of brings that up a lot. Next I picked up Songs and Instrumentals by Adrienne Lenker, a record that reminds me of two summers ago, which was probably one of the best summers of my life. We listened to this record almost every day and it was also a period of time where I was about to enter my 20s and I felt like I was growing up and I felt so free. The next record I got was Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever, and I grabbed this one also because it just has a nice reminder of a time in my life. I remember listening to this record during the summer with friends and we would listen to it in the car.
Maya: The first record I picked is Tapestry by Carole King and I have less specific moments, but I remember listening to this record a lot growing up. It was always on repeat and I love Carole King so much. I just have so many memories of listening top to bottom to this record as a kid, taking the bus and doing different things. I think she's really shaped my writing today, and she's always someone I have looked up to. Next I picked Abbey Road by The Beatles, of course, a classic record. I actually do have a very specific memory of listening to this album with my cousin Benjamin, who I played a lot of music with before going to school and still do. We used to busk together when I was 10 years old and he was 12 and we would play “Golden Slumbers” and “Here Comes the Sun” as like a little medley and those are some of my favorite songs so this record means a lot to me, too. Last one I picked is ABBA Gold because ABBA's just great and their harmonies and writing on all their songs is amazing. When I'm at home and sitting down at the piano and just wanting to sing something, I always go to ABBA because their songs are beautiful and emotional and I'm a big fan.
Cinya: I picked a couple of different things across a few different genres and for a few different reasons. The first being Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years. This is just such a classic. There's a lot of albums from my childhood that probably have subconsciously shaped a lot of the music that I make and now what we make as a band. This album specifically, I can remember my dad sitting in the living room and he would pull up a chair in front of the speaker at night and with a drink and just sit there with his eyes closed listening to this record. Next up is For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver. There was a time in my life where I had “Re: Stacks” on loop for like hours at a time. But this album specifically inspires me because I'm pretty sure that he recorded it over a couple weeks, if not one week, in the woods, which is crazy to me. Next I picked Muna Saves the World. I was heavily into this album post breakup 'cause it was just very empowering to me. And I would put on my running shoes and turn Muna on and just run the pain away.