Little King is set to release their new album Lente Viviente on 26th September, 2025. An album of 7 new “Micro-Epics,” the band’s term for the compact arrangments that are accessible, complex, and dynamic, Lente Viviente explores the delicate dance between memory and presence, perception and truth.

The songs range from reflections on childhood and lasting friendship to meditations on immigration and identity, aging and addiction, and the blurred line between strength and vulnerability. At its core, the album asks how we see ourselves and each other through the ever-shifting lens of time, emotion, and experience – an honest portrait of life’s sharp edges and soft light.

The guys from Little King join us for a Why I Love on Steely Dan.

Why you love them

I have a weird Steely Dan addiction. When my brother used to play them in high school (late ’80’s), I would cringe and make fun of it. Dude…that sounds like Old Peepo Music. But he bought me the album Countdown To Ecstasy for my 19th birthday. I had an upcoming hardcore roadtrip from Seattle to El Paso to see my love, and he made me a mixtape and gave me that CD. In like bumfuc Idaho, I put it on and just locked in to “Bodhisattva.” Holllleeeee shizzit! I was hooked. By the time I heard King Of The World a couple days later while crossing the Rio Grande as Donald Fagan sings about it…all in.

I am so drawn to bands that have a sense of humor that is subtly injected into every work of art. Steely Dan, Rush, Talking Heads, Beatles…all composers who I feel made a beautiful marriage of poetry and self-awareness/humor that I aspire to as the lyricist for Little King. And their musicianship, totally unique arrangements and changes, their groove…I think they made a few perfect records. And the ones that aren’t so popular are amazing, too. Virtuosity, Poetry, Hooks, Humor…what else is there?

How they inspired / influenced you

As I said above, they have such a distinct and timeless sound, and that was forged by meticulous attention to detail. Nothing got by Fagan and Walter Becker! That YouTube clip of the two Dans playing each of the 6 guitar solos they tried for Peg is comedy gold. But it’s also a testament to their ears and their process, behind the scenes, of making immaculate music.

Favourite songs, lyrics or album covers

Countdown To Ecstasy was my introduction, but I think I go back to The Royal Scam and Two Against Nature more than any other album. Mayve Aja, too. The instrumental breaks in the song Aja are insane and crystal clear. I love the guitar work from Skunk Baxter all over the first couple records. My Old School has some guitar breaks that still inspire me to this day. What a player!

Gigs you might have attended

I took my son to Jersey to see them in like 2017, but Donald got sick and they had to reschedule. Finally saw the make-up date with the Doobie Brothers opening up, and it was fantastic. He is from that part of New Jersey, so it was sort of a hometown gig for him. He had been sick, so I think he gave it some extra…he stood up and went wild on the Melodica! It was so fun…

Our thanks to the guys in Little King – here they are with Dawn Villa:

Little King online: Website / Facebook / Youtube

You can read more from our extensive archive of Why I Love pieces from a wide array of artists on an even wider array of subjects, here.

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