Don’t be fooled by the name—the only thing “little” about Little King is the first word of the band’s name. The progressive rock group has been on a roll for almost 25 years as it presents its seventh album and delivers a set of personal and highly polished tracks to a loyal and growing fan base.
Little King’s latest album, Amuse De Q, was released on September 3, 2021. The new record does more than deliver tunes that people can rock out to. Instead, it offers a slew of songs that address some of today’s most sensitive and pressing issues like enforced isolations following lockdown protocols, battling with substance abuse, protests for equality, domestic violence, and more.
“The album has some heady stuff, and I think all of these topics will be easily relatable,” explains band leader, guitarist, and singer Ryan Rosoff. “I have said many times that if an artist cannot find inspiration from the craziness of the last year, then they need to dig deeper or find something else to do.”
The first two songs on the record, “Bombs Away” and “Keyboard Soldier,” have already made rounds online as hit singles. “Bombs Away” recently passed 100,000 views on YouTube. The single has since been followed up by other socially-conscious tracks like “How Could You?,” “Set It Down,” “Omega Son,” and many others. The band’s messages and melodies resonate with audiences from all over the world, as the band has sold records in more than 55 countries worldwide and the album is currently charting in the Top 140 on the NACC college radio charts.
Behind the rock band’s gritty performances and hard-hitting songs is a rich history filled with ups and downs. The band was founded by band frontman, singer, and songwriter Ryan Rosoff back in 1996. At that juncture of his life, Rosoff was based in El Paso, Texas, where he spent a significant time playing guitar for the seminal eclectic band called Tweed Quickly. After writing enough original material, Rosoff would decide to try recording and producing his own records.
The band’s name comes from the Gaelic translation of the name “Ryan,” which loosely converts to “little king.” Rosoff started playing alongside bassist Mike Esparza and drummer Alex Lizarazo as a trio that would go on to play local and regional shows for four months before entering a studio to start creating original music. The band’s first album was a demo CD entitled Transmountain, released on May 17, 1997. Since then, Little King has built out an impressive portfolio of albums that have become well-received successes in the underground rock scene.
Little King’s other albums include Occam’s Foil (2019), OD1 (2014), Legacy of Fools (2008), Virus Divine (2004), and Time Extension (1998). The band’s most notable songs include “The Skin That I’m In,” “Hate Counter,” “Happy Home,” “Collateral Damage,” “All I Need,” and many others. Blending progressive tendencies with bits of melodic rock, metal, grunge, and acoustic music has given Little King a sound that is unique in the pantheon of modern rock bands.
With the release of Amuse De Q, the band hopes to continue its streak and momentum and create more traction for their musical legacy. Judging from the early press, radio play, and video success, Little King has created their finest music ever. Fans around the globe are taking notice, and now the album is ready for the worldTo get updates on the band’s latest release and their many upcoming projects, visit the official Little King website, Facebook page, and Instagram profile.