These Boots Were Made For Rockin'

 
Considering she was seated in the front row at the DKNY show in the tents at Bryant Park a few weeks ago, you’d think Victoria Hesketh—the woman better known as Little Boots—would be all about Fashion Week. But it was one of only a few shows she caught. “I was in the studio, so that was a priority.”
 
In the studio making the glossily infectious synth-pop that Little Boots has become known for, that is. The 25-year-old is already a star in the U.K., where her first album, Hands, dropped last summer. And thanks to some major buzz from the music blogs—which have leaked a steady stream of remixes over the past year-and-a-half—and an EP released here last year, the States shouldn’t be too hard for Hesketh to conquer as well. Already it seems like every DJ and pop-music aficionado wants credit for having heard of Little Boots first.
 
It’s hard to think of a more perfect moment for Little Boots to strike, with electro-infused acts like La Roux making waves Stateside. But Hesketh is quick to dismiss any comparisons. “I think journalists like to put people together in ‘movements,’” she says. “But generally, when they tend to lump all these female artists together, they’re all very different with different ideas that come from different places.”
 
Little Boots’ music does skew more toward the traditional dance-pop of Kylie Minogue—another frequent comparison—than La Roux’s esoteric style. Songs like “Remedy” and “Earthquake” are unmistakable dance-floor anthems, their remix potential pretty much limitless. But despite the recent influx of U.K. synth-pop, none of these artists have made much of an impact beyond on the U.S. charts. Even Kylie is relatively obscure in America. Is Little Boots destined to be another cult act?
 
“In the States it seems to be a more predominantly urban, hip-hop oriented sound when you turn on the radio,” says Hesketh. “But Lady Gaga’s got kind of an electronic sound and she’s one of the biggest-selling artists of the year.”
 
Gaga. Kylie. Could we be seeing the next gay icon in the making? Little Boots has already played Manchester Pride and fans sent her photos of guys in gay clubs wearing her T-shirts. “I think probably our crowds are gay guys most of the time,” she laughs. “In the States it feels even more so than at home. They’re so enthusiastic and supportive and energetic!”
 
Hesketh will be seeing more of those crowds when she kicks off her U.S. tour on March 2, with an album release show for Hands at Highline Ballroom. She’s determined for her shows to be as dynamic as traditional rock shows. To that end, she and her band play almost everything live rather than performing to pre-recorded tracks or with laptops. “I’m just trying to make it as physical and visual as possible, to try to make electronic music visually exciting and energetic.” Bring it on, Bootsie!  N
 
Little Boots plays the Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th St, 212-414-5994) on Mar 2. Visit HighlineBallroom.com for more info.