Italian duo Little Boys completes tour across eight South Korean cities

Two individuals who met on a flight to Japan have formed the Italian rock duo Little Boys and have completed their first South Korean tour this year. Instead of limiting their visits to Seoul and Busan, Elle, who handles guitar and vocals, and Esse, the drummer, performed 16 times across eight cities: Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Geoje, Jeonju, Anyang, Incheon, and Jeju. On the 7th of last month, they released the album ‘THE BEAST OF LITTLE BOYS,’ which contains 18 songs released over the past three years. Moving through punk, garage rock, and delta blues, the duo stated they traveled through various cities to meet local venues and audiences. Having returned to Japan after the tour, the two spoke of their performances and encounters during their month in South Korea and announced plans to return to South Korea in 2027.

A meeting on a plane and a duo formed by switching instruments

The beginning of Little Boys took place in 2020 on a flight to Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two met there and shared stories regarding "their respective ambitions and past experiences." Although they went their separate ways after arriving in Japan, the idea of forming a band together matured while they were apart. The project began when Elle contacted Esse. Before forming the band, their musical backgrounds differed. Esse explained that he played bass in a band with his brother but enjoyed rock music without much ambition at the time. Elle majored in classical piano and enjoyed somewhat dark music featuring piano or harpsichord. She has written poetry and several books, though they have not yet been published.

Upon forming the team, the two took on new roles instead of the instruments they previously played. Elle, who played classical piano, took over guitar and vocals, while Esse, who played bass, took over drums. They explained that they chose to "start anew by switching instruments" because, "knowing it was a huge challenge, we wanted to express the creativity we possess in a different way." They added that they wanted to see where this chosen adventure would lead. The band name carries the meaning of maintaining a childlike purity in one's heart—an attitude of maintaining curiosity, viewing the world through a different lens, and questioning things taken for granted. The name also embodies a playful freedom: the willingness to try again even after failure, not taking oneself too seriously, and letting the evaluations of others slide.

Elle and Esse described each other as both band members and irreplaceable people in their respective lives. Esse described Elle, saying, "She is the most fickle and bold person I have ever met in my life," adding that he wants to continue knowing her thoughts and help realize them. Elle described Esse as "a solid foundation I can lean on even when rough waves are crashing," noting that he is someone who makes her realize blind spots she cannot see, adding, "He is an irreplaceable person." They stated that because they were born together as Little Boys, they cannot exist separately.

Three years captured in 18 songs: an album preserving the texture of live performance

The album ‘THE BEAST OF LITTLE BOYS,’ released on the 7th of last month, contains a total of 18 songs. The two explained that they selected meaningful songs from those released over the past three years to include in the album, describing it as a record that shows the journey they have taken so far. The sound they pursue is pure, intuitive, and authentic music. They sought to maintain the energy of live recordings and the unique texture of analog recordings, capturing the natural imperfections that occur during the performance process. They shared that the way to enjoy music is to listen to the interplay between the guitar and drums and to surrender to the rhythm as if in a concert hall. They also expressed the belief that music should touch the listener's inner self and awaken something before any explanation is given.

Moving forward, they want to refine their music to be more sophisticated and intuitive while creating a color that anyone can recognize. To achieve this, they intend to simplify the sound and strip more away from the music. They also revealed plans to show a visually intense and unique presence on stage, describing that direction as "a bolder and more unrestrained live performance that hides nothing." They added that the experiences gained from traveling the world every year become assets for their musical activities. Upon returning to Japan after spending a month in South Korea, they stated it had become clearer than before what to strip away and what to strengthen. They plan to continue refining their sound.

From Seoul to Jeju, seeking local venues and audiences

During their first South Korean tour, Little Boys traveled through Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Geoje, Jeonju, Anyang, Incheon, and Jeju. They explained that they chose venues in various cities because they wanted to take a path that was not obvious, even if it was more difficult. Rather than performing only in Seoul and Busan before leaving, they wanted to directly meet the local rock scene and experience the venues and people. They noted that even when visiting the same city multiple times, each visit felt like a different place because the mood, the people they met, the venues, and the events of the day were all different. The experience of meeting audiences and visiting venues during the South Korean tour also served as an opportunity to observe how their music is received.

At the Seoul block party, they opened their instrument cases while the audience had already gathered. The two shared that because there was no time for a sound check, they had to adjust their sounds to each other while playing the first notes, and the audience danced and cheered. At Club Realize in Busan, they took the stage with Hard-Ons. The venue was packed with spectators, and they said they felt a desire to perform even more intensely while breathing closely with the audience.

In Jeonju, they passed through Nambu Market and headed toward Moijang. The two said they saw their own faces and videos appearing on a giant screen. They explained that at the venue, the guitar, drum, and vocal sounds were implemented exactly as they wanted, and the skill of the sound engineer was excellent. At Tarok in Daegu, those who performed with them gifted them an Italian flag filled with signatures. The two cited the warm hospitality, praise, and the energy of the venues as memorable moments. They performed in diverse spaces, ranging from clubs in Hongdae to elegant venues where people sat while dining, and they said they saw audiences shedding tears after the performances for the first time. In Jeju, they mentioned that while garage rock might have felt unfamiliar to some audience members, there were also spectators who were overwhelmed by the performance and shed tears. They said that although they shared their music without knowing how the audience would receive it, a strong connection was formed.

The reason they contacted local media first and their next visit to South Korea

News of the team was also featured in local radio broadcasts and English-language newspapers. As the two decided to travel through various cities and experience the music scene in South Korea for a month, they stated it was natural to explain why they came here and what they were seeking through music. They also hoped for an increase in the number of audience members coming to see their shows. In particular, they wanted to know what aspects of their project people living in South Korea were curious about, what questions they asked, and how their stories were received in a different environment. They explained that the contact sent to the media also stemmed from their attitude of taking action if they judge something is worth attempting.

During the tour, invitations to meals and conversations after performances, as well as meetings with new people, continued. In Gimpo, they even had the experience of visiting a shaman to have their palm lines read, burn incense, and shake bells. The shaman repeatedly told them they should rest, and after the consultation, the two said they were invited to dinner and ate Korean-style meat barbecue together. It was also the first time for the Korean friends they were with to meet a shaman. However, they said it was difficult to follow the advice to rest due to the schedule following the completion of their performances. They had to move for another performance the next day, and there were days when they were so exhausted it was difficult even to stand. The two said it was also the people they met that kept them moving.

Little Boys asked Korean readers and fans who are not yet familiar with their music to listen to it. They also conveyed that if rock and roll is not in your life, they would gladly be "the first ones to lead you down the 'bad path'." They said if people just bring their curiosity, they will take care of the rest. The two announced that they plan to visit South Korea again in 2027. They also shared plans to continue refining their sound based on the venues, audiences, and experiences gained during the tour in South Korea.

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