Introducing…. Little King
Little King is a power-trio rock project formed in 1996, blending dynamic, melodic, and progressive elements into “micro-epics.” With a career spanning nearly three decades, the band balances technical skill, memorable hooks, and meticulous songwriting to create intense yet concise tracks that engage both longtime fans and new listeners.
Click Roll Boom: Tell me about how you got started
Little King: Good afternoon! I assume you mean “how (I) got started” in music, yes? I was an athlete first…basketball was my life from about ages 5 to 16. I used to spin the ball on my finger walking around the house, and in my neighborhood, there were a ton of hoops and kids to play ball with. Basketball, football, baseball, tennis, frisbee…we had it all. In fact, I was taught how to hoop by the guy across the street who happens to now be the coach of the Atlanta Hawks (Quin Snyder). He was about 5 years older than me and was crazy good at all sports, but he was a McDonald’s all-American and ended up starting for 3 years at Duke. You don’t get to his level without a ton of natural ability AND work ethic, which I think I tried to emulate with sports as well as with music and business as an adult.
Seattle was a fun place to grow up in the 80’s. It still felt like a small, safe city, and we had so much music around us on the radio. Later, of course, right as I left for school in Tucson (which is where I ended up again in 2020 and where I still reside), the Grunge scene exploded. I missed all of that “in-person” by literally months. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains…the Holy Quadrant of Seattle Grunge bands…they put our hometown firmly on the map. But I grew up listening to KISW 99.9fm for all of “Seattle’s Best Rock,” and that included a lot of Hendrix, Heart, and Queensryche, all of who were hometown heroes.
When it became apparent after puberty stopped me at 5’7 that I was not destined for the NBA, I focused on guitar playing and learning the songs I knew by heart. Eventually, I joined a band called The Green T’s (so clever) as a singer. A poor one, I might add. But it was my intro into band dynamics, performing live, and fortunately (even though they fired me FOR CAUSE) I am still close to those guys, 35 years later.
Little King formed in 1996 in El Paso, where I had moved in 1992. I had played in another band there with a couple guys who have also been in Little King, and the journey commenced in earnest in 1997 with the release of our first “album” (really more of a demo) called Transmountain. It was brutal..but it was fun! That’s really the record that no one gets to hear unless you already heard it.
CRB: How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved since you first started?
LK: As a listener, I have always gravitated towards songs and melodies over crazy technical skills, but at the same time, Rush was pretty much my favorite band, and they were literally the 3 best players on their instruments in their heyday. So, my goal as a writer and player/producer was to balance technical skill and unique arrangements with a memorable melody. I write the words too, and I graduated with a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Texas El-Paso. Balancing a memorable hook without resorting to cliches and lazy writing is tricky, but I think that may be what I am most proud of over my 28 years of writing within Little King.
Musically, we like the terms Dynamic, Progressive, Melodic…and in the case of the new record, the songs feel like “Micro-Epics.” They are complex and dense with fun parts, but all tracks except one come in under 4 minutes. The songs FELT longer because they are f’ing INTENSE and complex. Micro-epics, man.
CRB: Who or what have been some of your biggest influences, musically and beyond?
LK: Laundry list time: Rush, Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Floyd, Talking Heads, The Who, Midnight Oil, Above the Law, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Iron Maiden, the Grunge bands, ACDC, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Faith No More, and so many more. I’m OLD, dude. There’s a lot to work with.
CRB: How do you approach experimenting with new sounds or ideas when creating music?
LK: I write all of the music myself in my rehearsal studio before it gets into the hands of my band and recording team. I spend a LOT of time on arrangements, trying to reach equilibrium between interesting and catchy. The new album, Lente Viviente (due 9/26/25), is the closest I’ve ever come to that goal. Every riff, note, passage is meticulously thought-out. We play in odd time signatures and try to avoid repeating our past music unless deliberately paying homage.
Once I have the skeletons built, Tony (drums) and Dave (bass/cello) add their expert input. I let the pros be pros and cheer them on. The joy from their contributions is palpable. On the song “Pass Through Filters,” there’s a new sound we all laughed at in the mixing phase. Few overdubs — we stood on business in the studio, nailed the first takes.
CRB: How do you prepare for live shows, and what do you aim to bring to your performances?
LK: Like a proper rock band: lots of rehearsal, personal woodshedding, and setlist planning. I have 8 albums/EPs and a couple singles from 2023. Shows should reflect the push and pull of a Little King album — dynamic, melodic, progressive. Not all one speed, one key, one time signature. I want the audience to take a journey with us.
I still cannot believe people spend money to see us. Reflecting on our journey fills me with gratitude and joy. Many players have come and gone, but the shared commitment to preparation and execution keeps us performing at a high level. Live, no playing to tracks, ever.
CRB: How do you balance creative expression with staying connected to your audience?
LK: We take it seriously. As a Rush fan, I always push boundaries while staying true to our principles. No shortcuts, minimal auto-tune. Vocal harmonies on Lente Viviente are a new way to express myself while engaging the audience. Studio engineer Ricky Wascher was invaluable — a great collaborator who enhanced vocal arrangements and added subtle flourishes. Fans will hopefully be happily surprised.
CRB: What do you hope listeners take away from your work?
LK: Think, read, and dive in deeper. Sing along, bob your head, but also catch the hidden stuff: ear candy, multilayered lyrics, clever playing. I hope listeners think critically about themselves and their impact. Some tracks like “Who’s Illegal?” and “Pass Through Filters” ask them to examine their world. Love and kindness matter — that’s the underlying message.
CRB: What does the future hold for you – any plans or goals you’re excited about?
LK: Touring is tricky with adult lives and responsibilities, but we plan a few US shows this year, more next year, and potentially 3 weeks next summer across the USA, Canada, and Europe. Life’s exciting — my youngest just went to college, I moved into a new place with my partner, and I’m focused on grinding in the studio. The legacy of Little King continues, both in recordings and live performances.
