Interview with Little Boys
Author: Benedetta Baldin – 3.10.2026
Band Introduction:
Little Boys is an Italian band formed by Elle (guitar and vocals) and Esse (drums) in Japan in 2020. We chatted with them about their music, touring experiences, and more!
Benedetta: Hello Elle and Esse, how are you doing at the moment?
Elle: We’re writing from Jeju, the last stop on our South Korea tour. It’s that strange point halfway between exhaustion and not wanting it to end. It’s been an intense month—exactly what we were looking for. We’ll be back in Japan in a few days for another two weeks!
Benedetta: You’ve built an impressive touring history across Japan, Europe, China, and South Korea. How do international audiences in Asia react to your raw, physical power rock compared to European crowds?
Elle: The more we travel, the more we realize that audiences worldwide react similarly. Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and European crowds all get excited if they connect with a band. Japan’s audience loyalty is incredible—win over even two fans, and they’ll consistently return.
In Korea, true rock fans can be more boisterous than some segments of the subdued European audience. The biggest lesson our tours have taught us is that human reactions are more similar than we expect.
Benedetta: Elle, you play a right-handed electric guitar left-handed without reversing the strings. How has this setup shaped your unique style?
Elle: My chord-building evolved practically on its own. Playing a right-handed guitar as a lefty means many conventional fingerings are uncomfortable. I had to adapt and find my own solutions, which paradoxically led to more creativity. Limitation became my language.
Benedetta: Esse, your background as a bassist influenced your drumming style. How do you fill the sonic space without a bass player?
Esse: My bassist experience helped me learn by observing drummers. I don’t see drums as compensating for a missing bassist. Elle’s guitar fills that space, and our sound has developed that way from the start.
Benedetta: Touring as a two-piece requires great endurance. What’s the toughest part about maintaining energy night after night?
Elle: It’s the accumulated fatigue. Touring isn’t just about concerts; it’s constant moving and juggling everything. When you’re really tired, your weaknesses surface. There have been moments when I thought I had nothing left, but the audience’s response recharges my energy.
Benedetta: What was it like sharing the Club Realize stage in Korea with the Hard-Ons, and how has the Asian media impacted the band’s momentum?
Esse: It was a life lesson. After a fantastic show, I watched the Hard-Ons and realized how much there is to learn. It reminded me of why I play music. Meeting them afterward showed me their down-to-earth nature.
The Asian media attention has been surreal. Walking into KNN and seeing a giant screen dedicated to us was unbelievable. The personal connections with journalists during interviews were unexpected and made our experience much warmer.
Benedetta: Are there any Finnish artists you find inspiring?
Elle: We like The Flaming Sideburns. Their straightforward rock connects with us.
Benedetta: How have your families reacted to Little Boys?
Esse: At first, they teased us, but now they act as if nothing’s happening. Deep down, they’re proud but won’t admit it.
Elle: I enjoy the way our families pretend nothing is happening while supporting us behind the scenes.
Benedetta: If “The Beast of Little Boys” were a movie soundtrack, what kind of film would it be?
Esse: A Tarantino movie—gritty, over-the-top, with a soundtrack that’s crucial to the plot. I’d be the one driving the getaway car!
Benedetta: Is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers?
Esse: Go see live concerts! Stand in front of the stage and discover something new.
Elle: Also, be brave. Pursue what you want without worrying too much about others’ opinions. With determination and a bit of recklessness, great things can happen.
Listen Here:
The Beast of Little Boys
