BAND’S BIOG:
The Little Kicks are a 4 piece band based in Scotland who are becoming well known for their distinctly catchy upbeat indie pop songs combined with their reputation for a great live show. They have toured across the UK in their own right to a great reception. They have also played at festivals such as T in the Park, Belladrum, Insider, Connect and other major Scottish music festivals.
Debut album “Boxing Clever” was released in late 2009 to widespread critical acclaim and they consequently toured internationally, with rapturous receptions from fans in Japan and Germany in 2010.
They have shared stages with the likes of Foals, The Vaccines, Frightened Rabbit, Glasvegas, Maximo Park, Mystery Jets, Errors, The Kooks, Editors, The Macabees and many more, also recording live sessions for XFM, BBC Radio Scotland. They have received national radio support from Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson.
The Little Kicks are as comfortable playing live with a couple of acoustics as they are headlining club nights to a packed dance floor. Until recently, they also DJed at and ran their own club-night in their Aberdeen hometown (“The Dirty Hearts Club”). The night has become the stuff of local legend in its own right, recently passing the 5th Birthday mark with a previous guest DJ list of MSTRKRFT, Liquid Liquid, Optimo, Holy Ghost, Juan Maclean, Hot Chip, Franz Ferdinand to name a few. The success of the night has led to the band being invited to DJ alongside names such as Zane Lowe, Calvin Harris and Aeroplane among others. For the last two years they have DJed at T in the Park festival, headlining the Fridays’ late night after-party field to crowds of 1000+ to a great response.
After a break in 2010, to accommodate a change in personnel and write new material, they returned in Summer 2011 with a free download single “Call Of Youth” which gained airplay on both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music. Second album “The Little Kicks” was released in November 2011 and they toured this release across the UK, generating positive press a-plenty (see website) for both album and live show.
2012 has seen The Little Kicks follow up on the acclaim for the second album, being invited to support We Were Promised Jetpacks on tour, conquering the summer festival circuit, being named one of Q Magazine’s ‘Ten Scottish Bands You Might Not Have Heard Of But Should‘ in July and releasing a remix EP with contributions from Optimo, Discoplis, Mash and more.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM:
“The Little Kicks (****)…inject some energy into the night by upping the pace…keeping their focus on classic pop hooks. Their radio-friendly style sounds like a more innocent take on The Strokes on One More Time, or a more pensive Franz Ferdinand on We Came Alive, proving that old fashioned guitar pop is alive and well.” THE SKINNY
“Despite claiming to be influenced by Radiohead, The Little Kicks still manage to make upbeat disco-rock. Lead singer Steven’s voice does encompass Thom Yorke’s drawl, but he’s got a bit of Richard Ashcroft to him too. Mixed with Smiths-like melodies it’s pretty fresh-sounding stuff.” NME
“If anyone has the songs and ability to be a breakout act from this night then the most likely are The Little Kicks. They have a song-writing maturity that belies their years and their set is over all too quickly. Push old ladies on Zimmer frames out of the way to get to see this lot next time they’re in your town.” ARTROCKER MAGAZINE
“Armed with a set of memorable tunes and from the moment they ring out the delicate introduction of opener Let Me Down, they have the crowd firmly on their side. Faves tonight are the Beatles-y Don’t Give Up So Easily and a belting Chances We’ve Had. On the strength of this, it won’t be long before Little Kicks are getting big licks from the music industry headhunters.” NEWS OF THE WORLD
“Their set is another winner; the jangly guitars and pounding rhythms, reminiscent at times of a less electronic New Order, if there is any justice then The Little Kicks shall be massive.” THE FLY
“…..What would probably destroy a lot of indie bands proves rather fruitful for this duo. Stripped bare, Milne’s gripping voice is given the attention it deserves. Strong and believable and accompanied by gently picked melodies and clever interchanging rhythms, his lonesome vocal is perfectly understated. Their well-crafted pop songs and pretty laments can clearly be dressed up or down. Hopefully it won’t be long before someone takes a chance on this unsigned gem.” IS THIS MUSIC?
“This album is a masterpiece of its style and those who appreciate it will do so wholeheartedly.” #### 4/5 GLASGOWMUSIC.CO.UK
“They generate effortless waves of breezy and witty indie pop, that is instantly accessible and has hooks, melodies and genuine warmth in abundance….they stride forward armed with a strong catalogue of songs laced with upbeat hooks that are stamped with their own personality….Steven Milne’s harmonious voices glides through the jangly, occasionally angular riffs, alongside prominent funky bass…By rights these guys should be happily rubbing shoulders with FM radio stalwarts Elbow etc, gracing daytime radio playlists up and down the country…with an overgrowing national fan base, a wealth of catchy songs at their disposal and some savvy self promotion, they might just be able to take things to the next level without the aid of a label.” #### 4/5 IS THIS MUSIC? ALBUM REVIEW
