Dan Smith Mesa Legend

Michael David Little performs at ‘3carpileup’ art gallery in Phoenix.

The band Little seems completely at home in an art gallery, which is a good thing, because on Oct. 3 the band performed at 3carpileup, a gallery in downtown Phoenix. The room was filled with paintings, photographs and sculptures. However, toward the back next to a sign advertising “Live Nudes” in flashing lights and a retro Philco fridge filled with beer, the band played, occasionally pausing to make trips to the fridge.
Little was a creation of one man. Yet, the collaboration of four musicians was needed to bring this music to live audiences.
The band Little has been playing together only a couple of months, but they are set to release their first album “Cowboy and Indierocks” sometime in November. After a mere two months, some musicians are still trying to remember the names of their band mates.
In order to understand Little’s jump from nowhere to the heart of local rock complete with an impending record release and fan base, a closer examination of the band’s name is in order.
Michael David Little, the band’s frontman, provides vocals and guitar as well as all the songs they perform and their name.
Since his beginning in music during his teen years, Little refused to join the music scene. Instead, he holed up in his home to master his craft.
Ten years later he emerged with a stockpile of songs and the ability to play a multitude of instruments.
These two elements enabled Little to record an album from his home alone. In addition to recording and mixing the record, Little wrote all the songs and played all the instruments on it. Bass, guitar, cello, piano, and drums are counted among the instruments Little can play.
This same independence as an artist comes through in Little’s solo performances. Sometimes, Little leaves the band behind and affords his fans an opportunity to hear the music in it purist and original form.
The music itself has an unusually East Coast sound for the Valley of the sun. Indy rock at its finest, the band Little occasionally drags bubble gum pop across a cheese grater. Yet, a singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar is the band’s spine and that is reflected in their music as well.
Little’s voice lacks distinction but his skills as a lyricist overshadow that fact. His songs are both honest and engaging; the kind of songs people sing along with when in the cone of silence only found in their cars.
Jesse Simms is the keyboardist for the band Little. Simms plays three keyboards in front of him, generally two at a time. Simms interjects the sound of the piano or organ; other times simple melodies with 80s electronic flair are added. He also contributes backing vocals.
Drumming for the band is Catherine Vericolli. Inhibited, she lacks the ease of many drummers. Throughout the performance, Vericolli appears to be concentrating hard on maintaining the beat, which she manages to do successfully. However, her movements are stiff like a novice and her tension prevents improvisation or innovation.
Bassist and guitarist Albert Hamper takes a step back from his frontman position in the local band the Itch. The difference in musical styles between the two bands provides Hamper with opportunity to display his versatility as an artist. In the course of a show, it becomes apparent that the guitar is Hamper’s preferred instrument. Although capable of playing the bass, he reserves all moments of greatness for the times he lays the bass down and picks up his electric guitar.
Little reinvents the folk singer giving the audience something simultaneously grittier and sweeter. Whether you catch Little the band or Little alone, his music makes for an evening well spent.