Interview: The Little Ones

www.wearethelittleones.com
www.myspace.com/wearethelittleones

BY PAULA GONZALEZ
PHOTO BY TIMOTHY SACCENTI

California-based The Little Ones has received a surprising amount of buzz in recent months; surprising in that the band has just released mini-album Sing Song last year. But their performances are as tasty as a dish of dessert, and The Scenestar wasn’t sure if the sudden craving for pumpkin pie was a sign that this band had kick or just that we were hungry for some sweetness. From happy-happy go-go beats to similarities to such bands as The Shins, Belle & Sebastian and The Aislers Set, The Little Ones can bring life to a gloomy scene with their smiles and handclaps. After their sets, even the audience sounds happier.

Following The Little Ones’ opening slot on the French Kicks tour, The Scenestar had a lovely chat outside of Miami’s Studio A with three of the members: Lee, Brian and Edward.

SS: Let’s talk a little about the album. Tell me a little history about this EP.
Lee: The EP started out as us kind of having fun. We found a great guy to record with. His name is David Newton; he was in the Mighty Lemondrops from the U.K. We got in with him. We kind of started out piecing [things] together. We were thinking of making a record, or just recording stuff that we put together, and it kind of came together where we set together six songs, and we said, “Let’s just do an EP.” And it was a lot of fun making the record. We made it on a weekend, so we would have a barbecue and record the record that way. Have fun with it.

SS: That’s funny that you mention barbecues, because while listening to the music, or maybe it’s the way you hear it, after having such a bad week, bad day, listening to you guys feels like, “Ahhhhhhh—refreshing.” It’s like drinking boba. [Laughter] It’s like eating candy. [More laughter] Would you describe your music in that way? Like it’s refreshing, like it’s candy?
Brian: Well, it makes us happy, and part of that people connect with, because they feel the same way we are feeling.

SS: What influences you to make such music?
Brian: Well, we are just happy people. We have nothing really to complain about, you know, nothing. There are ups and downs, but generally, you want to play music that inspires [you]. That’s the result of it—our music.

SS: How has your first major tour been going?
Brian: It’s good. Tiring.
Edward: This is actually my first tour ever. So being away from home and getting into the daily grind of things … The first week, we were getting used to it, the routine.

SS: Did you cry?
Edward: I cry every night, actually. I’m not actually happy. I’m crying on the inside.

SS: Did you shed a tear?
Lee: Yeah, we hug each other.
Edward: Yeah, we don’t have breakdowns. At night, we cuddle.
Lee: Don’t go there! [Laughter] We don’t need to. It’s OK. We’ll be home soon.
Edward: [Touring] is probably the best experience ever to be on. And the band we are with, the French Kicks, they are probably the best group of guys we’ve been with. And we got to know them so well. I think it has made the first tour a lot easier.

SS: Can you tell me a little bit about the bands you’ve played with?
Brian: We haven’t played very much in L.A. to tell you the truth. The Bird and the Bee is one band; they are our friends. We played with Army Navy. L.A. is a weird scene. We haven’t really played a lot out there except for our Spaceland residency.

SS: Now, where do you want to go from here? You got a tour; you got an EP that is obviously catching attention…
Brian: Tour more. We just signed with Astralwerks, and we’ll be going to the U.K. and also recording songs for the full length.

Out of Los Angeles and San Diego, The Little Ones have been causing a stir and have just recently opened for the Kaiser Chiefs/The Walkmen tour. They play the EX-PLX tonight with local favorites Dengue Fever and The Bird and the Bee for the Silverlake Film Festival. Check them out, remember your childhood days, tickle their little feet, their little hands and let them make your little heart smile.

Comments

[Oscar]

:::sniff::: It's the interview I've been waiting for! Dance Little Ones Dance!

[paula]

you're tickled with this band aren't you?
i think you're addicted to candy. hehe

[Thomas Hillard]

Saw them at Troubador... it's no joke they release dopamines like no ones business.