The movers, pioneers and inspirations of the next generation are what it’s all about. After a recent headline performance at XOYO and two support dates with Scissor Sisters, Little Boots is on sensational pop form. Bench caught up with the Dalston singer before Melt Festival to talk about her highly anticipated sophomore long-player release this autumn.
A nu-disco lover, Little Boots, hasn’t been around all that long, and yet already she has worked with some of the best of the rest. A collaboration CV to wet any artists appetite! Last year it was Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford on the 6-minute disco odyssey ‘Shake’, then there was long-time admirer Hercules and Love Affair’s Andy Butler on the icy piano-house classic ‘Every Night’, and now NYC’s highly-ranked electronic-pop king-pins The Knocks lend their uber-fun, hook-driven manifesto to her new single ’Headphones’. Not to mention the likes of God-like house and garage producer Todd Edwards with an enormous club refix and French dance royalty Dimitri from Paris.
Music style? Infectious nu-disco.
Are you self-made? I guess so! I had my biggest break putting videos of songs on youtube which I was all myself so I guess so.
How do you get noticed in the industry? Stand out, work hard, be different.
How do you do it live? Have as much fun as the audience, it’s infectious.
Any advice for those starting out in music? Don’t talk about it, do it. Know when something isn’t working to change it.
Mantras you live your life by? Try to know when to trust your instincts and when to compromise. You can never have too many pairs of shoes.
How to make a great single? Something that makes people sit up and pay attention, then press repeat. This can be a great chorus, a great beat or lyric there’s no rules its just that magic connection that matters.
First musical memories? I was in a musical performance when I was about 2 years old on stage, we had to sing a Christmas song. I remember making recordings of nursery rhymes on tapes with my mum too.
What tunes put you in the ‘music zone’? At the minute I’m listening to a lot of old early Chicago house music its really great.
Top 3 tunes of 2012 Solomun – Kackvogul, TEED – Tapes and Money, Poolside – Slow Down
Tunes that make you wanna dance Madonna Get Into The Groove.
Tell us about your most precious musical possession… The history, the story, the memories and the bond. My Korg electric piano that I wrote a lot of the songs for the first album on in my parent’s garage. My parents bought me my first keyboard and over the years I sold it and swapped in for a better model but the current one I can’t bring myself to get rid of.
What makes you smile? Coming home after a long trip.
Should people follow their dreams, or get real? I think a bit of both, the hardest thing is to know when to do which.
Most incredible festival moment? Performing at Coachella 2010 was very special.
If you could play/do anything what would it be? I would like to be really good at tennis but I’m terrible at sport.
How to set goals? Be ambitious, you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it and work hard.
Home Stomping Ground? Dalston
Studio or Live? I love both this is too difficult!
Authentic or manufactured? Obviously authentic
Make it on your own – or – be part of something big? I think make it your own
Wine or Beer Wine every time
Night owl or Early Bird? Both!
CHECK OUT LITTLE BOOTS’ EXPLOSIVE NEW SINGLE ‘HEADPHONES’ HERE
