by Zach Fraley
People experience life in an endless amount of winding pathways and split-second decisions, making it hard to believe anyone that proclaims: “I’ve heard it all.” Simon Stålhamre of Small Feet is living proof of this. Deciding on his life’s passion at an early age, Stålhamre left school at 15 years old, working odd jobs and secretly writing music similar to what a Salvador Dali painting might sound like. But music wasn’t the only reason Stålhamre left. “I was in a bad place. It was sort of a non-decision.”
With no motivation to release his music to the world, Stålhamre kept the tapes he made locked away in his room, until he met fellow musician Jacob Snavely through mutual friends. Bolstered by his newfound friend’s proclamation that his music was worth hearing, Stålhamre began working on his first album. He maintains that the transition from an audience of one to a potential audience of thousands or millions seemed daunting at first. “It’s been a challenge, but a positive one for sure. I’m excited to keep doing it.”
Small Feet officially got its start in 2009, and to support his endeavors, Stålhamre has worked as a café worker, nurse, and fly-poster for various entertainment features. Out of all of these, memories of being a nurse remain particularly sharp in his mind. “In the long run I found working as a nurse, or in general working with people as opposed to objects, emotionally exhausting. [I] think I had trouble compartmentalizing. But then again, working with inanimate objects gets so boring. All I know is that if I could keep working with music and as a songwriter, I would probably be the happiest I could be.”
Small Feet’s new album, From Far Enough Away Everything Sounds Like The Ocean, debuted in August, and of the 10 potent, otherworldly songs present, the longest of them, “Palm Trees,” most caught my eye. The five minute song boasts lofty melodies and consistent acoustics, with lyrics that laud an idealized city by the beach that can never come into being. Stålhamre maintains the inspiration for the tune was dredged from nothing more than his inner thoughts and feelings. “I couldn’t tell you the exact inspiration for it. It was one of those stream of consciousness songs that just sort of happened. It turned out a naïve, dystopian lament.”
Currently on a 14-date tour to support both their new album and Nick Diamonds, Small Feet is stopping by Philadelphia’s Boot & Saddle this Thursday. Aside from playing the concert, Stålhamre already has plans for his trip to Philly. “I’ll be chasing fireflies in our bass player Jacob’s aunt’s backyard. Unless anybody has some weed. Then I’ll do the same, but on weed.”
You can download From Far Enough Away Everything Sounds Like The Ocean on iTunes or from their website. If you enjoy the songs, you’ll be pleased to hear Stålhamre is already anticipating writing some fresh tunes following his east coast tour. “We have some more touring to do in Europe and the U.S. as well, so we’ll be back!”
