While collectively the pandemic has been an apocalyptic, stare-into-the abyss hellscape, individual growth has emerged as one of its redeeming factors. For some, this has meant taking on a new hobby, learning new life skills, or transitioning to more gainful employment. For Nashville transplant Joey Kirby, isolation offered the opportunity to embrace the quiet and hone his skills as a songwriter and storyteller. Writing under the moniker small pockets, he began to seek out and explore the stories that meant the most to him personally.

Turning to memories of loved ones, Kirby started examining ideas of human connection and how they frame our individual evolution. On his debut single “Mavalene,” he finds inspiration in his late grandmother and the warmth of their shared bond. Over percolating synths and soft, pulsating beats, Kirby details their relationship and the small things that made it special—Diet Coke, cigarettes, and endless Tetris marathons. Feeling like this yearning for tenderness and kinship was something many of his friends were relating to, he asked some of them to record voice memos on their phones. These were then spliced into the track, creating a subtle, lo-fi accompaniment to the lead vocals. Produced and recorded by Daniel Gleason and TJ Elias at Big Trouble Recording, the end result is an immersive electronic soundscape that’s as dreamy as it is affecting.

“‘Mavalene’ is a reflection on my warm-hearted-superhuman-undefeated-Tetris-champion grandmother who I loved very much,” Kirby says. “Sick days at GMA’s are some of my fondest childhood memories. She always knew how to bring a smile to our faces. I wanted to kick off this project with a song dedicated to her as she always gave me courage and encouragement to create and share my music.”

Animated by Josephine Ruff-Sloan and Jennifer Frisco, the video offers a series of small vignettes that highlight pivotal moments in the pair’s relationship. It’s also a metaphorical journey of sorts with Kirby walking through forests and driving through the desert until a mysterious door beckons him into the past. With each memory, we become further enmeshed in their shared experience until the clip comes to its inevitable yet warmly uplifting conclusion.

Watch/listen above.

More Info
Web: smallpocketsmusic.com
Facebook: @smallpocketsmusic
Instagram: @smallpocketsmusic
Twitter: @smpocketsmusic