Bonnie “Prince” Billy has shared “Hey Little,” the second single from his previously announced album We Are Together Again, out March 6th via Domino Records. The track arrives with a video directed by Brent Stewart and Maya Stewart.
“Hey Little” features Catherine Irwin on vocals and a clarinet solo from Thomas Deakin, with string arrangements by Ryder McNair that took inspiration from an unlikely source. “‘Hey Little’ was written years ago for someone else to sing,” Oldham explains. “Now I am a father; the lyrics are realigned and rearranged. Catherine Irwin sings with great soul. I asked Ryder McNair to listen to Madonna’s ‘Dear Jessie’ for inspiration on the string arrangements. Brent Stewart and his daughter Maya brought a creative partnership to the video-making process. The shoot was seamless and joyful. Brent spoke of wanting to incorporate double-exposure (they shot on film) and I mentioned the Burt Lancaster film The Swimmer. Both Maya and Brent jumped on that idea with gusto, and friends here in Louisville let us film in their indoor pool in the dead of winter. Notable of course is Thomas Deakin’s beautiful clarinet solo. And the real live goats.”
The video features appearances by Will Oldham, Elsa Oldham and Poppy Oldham, Catherine Irwin, Eliza and Hazel Hughes and Pepper the goat.
Recorded at End of an Ear Studios in Louisville, We Are Together Again follows 2024’s The Purple Bird and spotlights the city’s musical community throughout. Irwin, who previously sang on Ease Down the Road, also appears on album track “Vietnam Sunshine,” while Louisville band Duchess—Lacey Guthrie, Tory Fisher, and Katie Peabody—contribute vocals to the opening and closing songs.
Pre-order: https://bonnieprincebilly.ffm.to/togetheragain-lp