What are your names?
Casey Kalmenson, Nick Setter, Lanita Smith
What is your genre of music?
Indie Pop-Rock with some Soul
How did you meet each other?
Nick and I (Casey ) Met at a school I was teaching at about 2 years ago. I met lanita about 9 months later at House of Blues where she was playing Keys in a band I was listening to. Nick and I had already been writing together for a bit and then we brought Lanita in to hang and collab with us .
Are you signed?
Not yet.
Your self-titled EP was recently released. Can you tell us about it?
Its been a really fun and rewarding process. We have a lot of different things going on sonically in the group so getting a project that sounds cohesive was important. Our producer Ryan Marrone killed it on that. The actual recording only took a couple weeks but mixing, tweaking, and getting all the other elements ready for release took us longer than expected. Learned a lot and cant wait to get back into the studio in the New Year to cut some more songs.
What was the recording process like?
Fun and casual. We recorded in this studio apartment complex on Melrose in LA… small and quirky space but really great sound. We survived on Pizza and Whiskey.
Describe each track in three words.
No Matter What- Positive, hopeful, fun
Too little Too late- Big, Anthemic, Raw
Forever – Dynamic, Romantic, catchy
Out on the edge- Groovy, Warm, Bass
‘No Matter What’ was released on ‘All Things Go’ — how was that for you all?
It was awesome. We are so stoked on all of the support we have been getting surrounding the release.
Do you have videos in the works? If so, what can you tell us about them?
Not yet but soon. We want to put our funds into recording more music and then in time making some great music videos.
Casey, you released a Jazz album before Little Monarch was born. What is it like to now be part of a trio?
My jazz record was the first thing I ever released. Its been a wild ride musically since then and I think this project is a great representation of where I am at in terms of what I love to sing and listen to now.
Who are your influences?
The Police, Coldplay, Alabama Shakes, Blood Orange, Tame Impala to name a few more contemporary acts. Rolling stones, Beatles, The Cure are some classic groups we love as well.
MHow do you get inspiration to write songs?
A lot of the time we start out with a guitar part that Nick has written and build from there. Usually takes us an hour or two or talking, eating, hanging, and then we get inspired and pick up instruments.
Where do you see the band in 5 years?
Touring, a couple more albums, maybe even collaborating on some film scores.
When you’re not making music, what do you do?
I love the ocean and live down by the beach so I am usually surfing or chilling with my dog when I am not working. – Casey
What would be your dream venue to play in your hometown?
I grew up in New York so Madison Square Garden would definitely be an amazing venue to play. But ultimately, I would have to say Jones Beach Amphitheater, just a really cool venue right on the water. – Nick
For me it would have to be the Greek theatre since I grew up in Hollywood. I just love the open air and the acoustics are amazing. – Casey
What would be your dream show to have your music played on?
I just started watching Better Things on FX and I love it. So either that or maybe Suits since my parents love that show lol.
For anyone visiting Los Angeles, where would you recommend they go?
I’m a huge fan of hiking up to Griffith observatory, really great views of the city from up there. Then you should stop at Yuca’s down the street for some of the best tacos I’ve had here. Also, checking out the weirdness that is Venice beach is always a good time. – Nick
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist or Band, who would it be?
James Blake
If you could collaborate with one US Artist or Band, who would it be?
Anderson .Paak
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
You really have to be on it everyday. Always try to use your time to advance your craft in some way even if you can’t practice in that moment. Read about what other people are doing to create success for themselves, even if they aspire to do something that seems unrelated to what you’d like to do. You never know what may jump out at you and change you for the better. – Nick
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
There are a lot of great ones out there.. I think maybe “ Work hard Dream Big” is a good one for us. If not that one then “ If at first you don’t succeed, order pizza.”
You get off a plane in your hometown:
1. Where is the first place you visit?
Family… I’m never there so I’m always trying to crash someone’s house -Lanita
2. What is the first place you see?
I’m probably looking at food spot -Lanita
3. Where do you go first to eat?
My dads… -Lanita
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
In-ears, water, keyboard and accessories, make-up, and lyrics…(Ha) -Lanita
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
@littlemonarch3 is our band account
Our personal pages are
@heycaseyk
@nsetter27
@lanitasmith
