SON LITTLE @ PICKATHON

Son Little Bares His Neo-SoulThe Roots and rjd2 collaborator brings his genre-transcending solo sound to this years Pickathon.Philly native and ANTI signed artist Son Little has provided vocals on Sleep with The Roots and collaborated on Icebird-rjd2’s eclectic 2011 album. Recently, he has been pumping out haunting, pleading solo tracks that consistently outmaneuver labels and genre. Critics and fans have tried everything, calling it soul, jazz, funk, reggae-nothing sticks. The impulse to define music that refuses to be defined hunts Son Little, but luckily, he continues to evolve.Over the phone, he talks about his high-profile collaborations, singing from the gut and his expectations of the Rose City.I’m ready to be Barbara WaltersCool. I’m ready to cry.I’ve been listening to a lot of Icebird, your collaboration with RJD2, and your new stuff -all of which is being well received. Everyone I’ve played it for is like, “who the f**k is that?” within a few seconds of the song starting.I get a lot of that, except usually it's like 'who the f**k do you think you are?’ I've never been much for the spotlight.You've collaborated with The Roots and rjd2, you've been in local bands before, but you've been going in your own direction for awhile now. How is that for someone who doesn't enjoy the spotlight? is it easier to be distracted now?I'm more comfortable with it than I used to be. And less distracted. I'm very focused on what it is I want to transmit.Icebird was one of the most eclectic sounding albums I’ve heard in awhile-a lot of varying sounds, moods. is that how you like it?I have very eclectic tastes, obviously and so does Rj. It was interesting because there are places where our eclectic-ness overlapped, and places where it don't. When you have two people who consume as much music as we both do you never know what the product will sound like if you just go for it without trying to make it sound like anything in particular. Like there's one song where it goes from super synths to super hard rock, and I was thinking Ozzy/Sabbath, then later I found out he was thinking Brian May/Queen. Then another where we were listening and simultaneously said, 'Curtis' (Mayfield) and yet it all worked out.You’ve mentioned in other interviews that Sizzla and Capleton are big influences on you vocally-what is it about them exactly that pulls you in?Well those guys sing from the gut. A vocal coach will tell you sing from the diaphragm, but I think there's something under the diaphragm to sing from. Like some valve you can't see on an X-ray. People maybe used to use it all the time, but nowadays things are so clean and perfect everybody ends up sounding the same. Them roots reggae singers have almost an identical message but they sound as distinct as can be Otis and Aretha both sang Respect but they sound completely different.Is that something your consciously pushing for during a performance or does muscle memory take over?Sometimes I have to remind myself not to think. I watched some video of Howlin' Wolf where his head goes back and eyes go white and I'm thinking 'there it is.’ Just be a vessel.Which is why I don't care about being in the spotlight anymore. It's not me in the spotlight-- it's the energy on display. I'm just the guy you talk you when it's over.Your songs delve into some painful areas. That can't always be fun or enjoyable to access but it also seems like where a lot of your creativity and fuel comes fromIt's like vomit you feel horrible before you do it, sometimes while you do it, but then you feel better after.Also, people sometimes find it entertaining when other people vomit.Nobody seems able to place you in a genre. Do you care about that?Every now and then I think about fitting into some genre or trend for about 5 minutes, and then it passes.I usually let other people worry about which iTunes playlist they want to put me in. 'Shore house 2014', or 'crunchy workout jams’?What is your set up on stage like?A rock trio, but all three of us have a magic box up there with us to help mess up your head and meanwhile I'm screaming at you the whole time. It’s fun. For me, anywayDo you have any pre-show rituals you want to share? Candles? Prayers? Jameson?A bit of whiskey-ginger although I prefer rum. Most places I go don't have good dark rum. I also jump around and punch air like a boxer.Pickathon is your first appearance in Portland. What are your expectations?I expect I'll be drinking a lot of really good coffee and yoga-infused microbrews.Anything you want to say to Portland fans?Of course, but I'll just tell them when I get there. Son Little will be performing on 8/2 on the Tree Line Stage at 5:20 and 8/3 in the Lucky Barn at 6:30.Article by: Sam Coggeshall from Portland Monthly