WQX-Aria blogger Olivia Giovetti speaks with composer David T. Little about his upcoming performance of Soldier Songs, a searing, war-themed cycle, at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.

Although it might appear that the two works submitted here occupy different points on the musical spectrum, they are nonetheless unified by their source of inspiration: people’s everyday struggles, be they political, economic, or emotional. The exploration of these struggles has always been an important part of my work and is what has brought me to compose theatrical music with an explicitly political message. These elements—combined in equal part with my experience as a rock musician—have helped form my compositional voice.