South London based indie-pop band Little Grim creates chilling, harrowing lyrics and soaring vocals with slick beats. Little Grim was inspired musically by Alt-J, Glass Animals and Everything Everything. Their music is a balance between intricate guitar parts and electronic elements.
The band has recently released a new track ‘All On Black’ which boasts a heavier side to the band while flaunting their tongue-in-cheek lyricism and playful riffs. The result of their music is that its music you can dance to and cry to, preferably at the same time.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
My earliest memory of music appreciation comes from the back seat of my parents’ car listening to Bruce Springsteen and Roy Orbison. We had two CD’s in the car which were constantly on repeat during school runs, days outs and holidays. It’s when my mum bought the Dixie Chicks album where I realized that maybe it was time to try something new.
My brother introduced me to Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Radiohead, which is where the love of guitar music really blossomed. I would sit for hours listening to ‘By The Way’, ‘Californication’ and ‘The Bends’.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
The inspiration usually starts from a lyric or melody hook for me. I can hear the instruments in my head around it and it tends to grow from the ground up.
That said, there are other times where the band brings something new to the table that they’ve been working on and we use that for the basis. I find it’s a good way of keeping things fresh and keep the songs’ individualism in influences.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
A good book is always a good place to start or you can dump me. That’s bound to get a good song out of it.
As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
There are so many beautiful music venues shutting down and it really saddens me to see. There are places like The Five Bells in New Cross that gave us our first-ever stage, and to know that they’re closing is very concerning for artists who do their best work live. Without their foundations, bands especially would struggle to go anywhere.
I’d love to see more funding for the arts scene and a push behind live platforms that focus on new and exciting music.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Performing and interacting with a live audience for sure.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
I had a bra thrown at me once. It was to the slowest and most sombre song of the set. It sent very mixed messages.
What’s on your current playlist?
Marika Hackman, Squid, Matt Maltese, Lana Del Rey, Paulo Post Future, Hot Chip, YBN Codae and Michael Kiwanuka.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
Another new single. EP number 2 next year. More experimental songwriting. Bigger and better shows.
Famous last words?
“Wait. Was I not meant to eat that?”
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