Interview with Little Boots: Jazz, New York, Carson Daly, and Her New Album

Little Boots (aka Victoria Hesketh) may be the hottest thing to come out of the UK in a while. Her brand of electronica is filled with awesome, danceable beats and her EP Arecibo has helped her make a name for herself in the US and beyond. Before she heads to SXSW this week I had the chance to interview her:

Big Apple Music Scene: I see you used to play in a jazz band. How did your transition to electronica happen?

Little Boots: Hmm, well I started messing around with synths when I was about 17 after getting involved with a prog band and listening to too much Pink Floyd and Yes. I’d always played piano since I was tiny so it seemed like an exciting evolution of my keyboard skills. Then through college my music teacher put together a jazz group with me on vocals and it just took off…soon I figured I could make a lot of money playing piano and crooning jazz standards in hotel lobbies, swanky restaurants, and wedding receptions. I did this for a few years until the novelty wore off and it started to feel like work, playing other people’s songs with no one listening. So quite suddenly I just decided to stop and return to the music I used to love, which I suppose was rock and electronica. I auditioned for a band playing synths and singing, and eventually when I left it was just natural for me to do a more electronic project as I can’t play the guitar so I focused solely on keybords. And there you go…..

Little Boots: It was very different, since I’m not from the U.S. it’s hard to understand how much of a big deal Carson was, although I’ve had so many positive Myspace comments and feedback it must be pretty good! There was a lot more pressure on Jools Holland as I performed acoustically on three different instruments at once on my own, alongside big acts like The Killers and Al Green, and it was much earlier in my career. Now I’m used to playing live with my band, which is how we did it for Carson and the club was already packed with an enthusiastic crowd which made things easier. The interview was really interesting, Carson really seemed to get it and all his questions were very insightful and I had to think on my feet quite a bit, but I was glad as I could get a lot more of my character across than on Later, which is performance based.

BAMS: Can you tell me a little about the recording of your new album and when will it be coming out?

Little Boots: Its been recorded between L.A. and London with a few different people, the main backbone with Greg Kurstin who I’ve been working with off and on for a couple of years now and have a great writing relationship with. Joe Goddard from Hot Chip has also produced quite a few tracks, as well as Jas from Simian Mobile Disco and a great production duo called Kid Gloves. There are a few other people involved but I’m not sure what will make the cut yet as we have too many tracks–the worst problem! So, better keep my mouth shut for now. I’m particularly excited about a duet I have done with Phil Oakey from the Human League. It’s been quite difficult at times, although I try and focus it can be hard not to feel the pressure, especially when more and more people become involved on the label side of things with different agendas, but we are mastering next week and right now I’m feeling extremely positive about it.

Little Boots: I’ve never been, I’m so so excited, I hear so many stories and every year its always been “next year you’ll be there” so finally it’s happening! I don’t really get nervous as such but I am a bit worried as I haven’t been able to rehearse much with my band due to my schedule and being away recording so much, but I’m sure we will pull through. We also have so many shows plus DJ sets and promo so its going to be very hectic, just hope there’s time for partying and eating barbeque as well!

BAMS: Any plans to come to NYC again?

Little Boots: Not at the moment but I really really hope so. I’m in love with New York. I spend a lot of time in L.A., but New York is just something else. It’s one of the few places other than London I could ever see myself living. We were meant to come at the end of the month to play the new Topshop store launch which I was really excited about, but unfortunately we can’t do it now because of schedules. But I really hope I can come back soon, maybe in the summer… it’s the best city to get lost in.

Images: Tom Oxley via Atlantic Records