Interview: Little King (Written)
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with the dynamic rock band, Little King!
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
Greetings from Arizona! My name is Ryan Rosoff, and I am the singer/guitarist/songwriter for the band Little King (www.littlekingtunes.com). We put our first record 25 years plus ago, and so we decided to record and release a song called “Silver Tongue” that commemorates that milestone. 7 albums later, we are still cranking it out and, I believe, are at our apex. Touring in October, too.
I’ve been at this a long time. I was always much more interested in recording my own songs than ever being in a cover band. So, in 1996, my previous group (Tweed Quickly) split up, so I formed Little King as a thematic vehicle for spewing my guts out on tape. My first name is translated from Gaelic to mean “Little King,” so I felt that was a funny and appropriate moniker.
Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
I tell them that they should dive in for an hour and report back to me! Seriously, we are a “dynamic rock” band. Somewhat heavy, definitely progressive in musicality and spirit, and always melodic…even when we are raging. I guess we take our cues from Rush and Zeppelin and also bands like Talking Heads and Tool. No one can quite pinpoint Little King’s style, though, and that suits me just fine.
What’s currently going on in your camp? New releases? Tours? Etc
On March 25, Little King released our new single, ‘Silver Tongue’, to all of the usual Digital platforms. ‘Silver Tongue’ is the raucous culmination of 25+ years of Little King releases. This single is a celebration of the band’s musical history as well as a confident launch into the future. Moody, introspective, heavy, complex, and ultimately triumphant, ‘Silver Tongue’ stands as the quintessential Little King opus.
The song was written and recorded during rehearsals for the band’s 25th anniversary shows in 2022. I really wanted to find elements from each previous album and incorporate them into the song. During the bridge, we reference each Little King album title lyrically. But I also found the spirit of the music to be a throwback to early Little King…heavy and raw but with some modern polish.
Per the usual, the band recorded in phases. The drums and guitar bed tracks were laid down first, then I went home and finished the lyrics. The band even recorded a version with some flute solos! They didn’t make the Final Cut, but down the road, they might appear in a re-mix.
What has been the most positive experience of making music to date for you?
That’s an incredibly difficult question after 25 years and 7 albums! I’d have to say the response to our last album, AMUSE DE Q, was the most gratifying thing yet. We kind of knew we nailed it, but you never know how it’s gonna hit. We are an indie band and it’s hard to tell if anyone is gonna give a fuck. But they did. I think it’s our best work, and our fans seem to agree.
Likewise, what has been some of the more challenging aspects and how have you overcome them?
Staying productive, musically alert and nimble, and personally whole, centered, and focused after it seemed like no one cared. Honestly, “Silver Tongue” answers your question. It’s so easy to lose faith in our message and our personal goals. This shit is unforgiving.
I’m gonna post the lyrics now and then you all can interpret them as you wish, but do it through the lens of your question.
Got fooled when no one cared
Got twisted up on the pen
A pound of
Patience and presence
To fall apart and coalesce againSold a bill of goods
With a Silver Tongue
Paralyzed, face up
And sleeping like the dead when it stungWeaponized, chest out
Criticized, no doubt
Sold a bill goodsA man of high character
Is sometimes aware when he’s wrongAnd 25 is a relative number
There’s so much more to give
A bringer of change
It’s an even exchangeCHORUS:
Peace and Love-
Elegant dream
A Utopian joke?
More cynical
So Critical
Shouldn’t be so extremeEven though I foretold the flood
Doesn’t mean it’s not already happening
Once more, I crawl through the mud
To beg for one dose of clarityGot battered up, I’m on the mend
With words so intimate
Sentient
Negligent
Vacant
To talk the talk and fall apart againI told a pack of lies
With a Silver Tongue
Paralyzed, toes up
And leading with my head when I was youngWhat did I do?
What did it prove?Analyzed, struck out
Compromised, no doubt
It’s time for a changeSummit Timing
Viral Fool
Over-Driven and Foiled
In the queue…When I’m Wrong
When you are running on the back-end
Of your time
Falling down then back up on the climbAnd 25 is a serious number
I know, there’s so much more to do
A Bringer of change-
It’s an even exchange
Slinging silver over youCHORUS:
Peace and Love-
It’s an elegant dream
A Utopian joke-
It’s really not that fucking funny…
Shouldn’t be so obsceneJust because I foretold the flood
Doesn’t mean it’s not already happening
The core of all things to comeTo be the change I need
To execute the deed
To be the man I wanna see…
How do you handle the modern expectations of being in a band? Always online, having to put out content constantly, your success measured in likes and follows?
It’s part of the job. I HATE the world of social media…I’m so old school, and I come from a school where talent and hard work are supposed to rise to the top. I think now, the loudest and flashiest voices seem to get the most attention. I shan’t submit to that trend, tho. I’d much rather be pleased in solitude and ignorance than praised for mediocrity.
But we persist. So IG/FB/Twitter are all active @littlekingtunes. Fuck TikTok, tho…it’s like Merlot. I’m not drinking any fucking Merlot.
What’s something that really ‘grinds your gears’ about the industry/business these days and what would you propose is done to combat it?
See above.
Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support your music?
Little King is NOT background music. It’s stoner music! Meant to be listened to loud, with intent, and possibly in a slightly altered state. Im not advocating drug use…I’ve been “California sober” for a long time! But yeah…herbal enhancement is appreciated.
Also, know that the words are symbiotic with the music. Do you mind listening and comprehending those as you rock out? And, most importantly, sharing is caring.
Our love playlist is out on YouTube. If we have a chance to win your heart, I think this is the best way to work our way in there. Confident and hopeful that you’ll comply!
Where can people find you?
All the smoke is at www.littlekingtunes.com and all social media is @littlekingtunes as you will find updated music, interview, videos, and the last 6 albums are there. Not the first record, though. You don’t get to hear that tripe.
