MYSBLT Bands to Watch in 2010: Part 2, The Local Natives

by Taylor Roberts in Album Reviews, Concert Reviews, Indie Release Highlights, Industry News, Musician Reviews, New Releases, News, Reviews, What's New, bands to watch

Here at MYSBLT and The Princeton Record Exchange, we cannot tell you how excited we are to bring to you our second issue in the feature: Bands to Watch in 2010. I was lucky enough to sit down with Los Angeles band, The Local Natives, before their show in Boulder, Colorado, on December 1^st. As it so happens, I met with the band the eve after they had announced signing with New York indie rock mega-label Frenchkiss. Going backstage with the band before they opened for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, we discussed their music, signing with Frenchkiss and the upcoming debut release Gorilla Manor. If you have yet to hear their tunes, you can expect to be blown away. The Local Natives are MYSBLT’s second act in our feature: Bands to Watch in 2010, and I thank them for welcoming me and my cameras backstage.

If you grow up in Southern California and dream of being a rock star, you would have a mountain of work ahead of you.  Starting a band is easy, putting together great music is a little harder and standing out in the massive Los Angeles music scene is nearly impossible. The Local Natives had exactly that journey. The band originally formed in the OC and started playing a breed of folk-jam-rock that was ripped from the pages of the 1960’s. “Ummm, it’s lots of harmonies and lots of drums…” Kelcey Ayer states, as he struggles to describe to bands sound. The entire group finds it difficult to pinpoint exactly what they play, but it is easily summed up in one word; Incredible.  So the music was good and the fan-base grew quickly. But to be honest, when was the last time you heard music that was home-recorded in Orange County? So the time came for the guys to move up to L.A. In the City of Angels the competition was fierce but the potential for grabbing new followers was limitless. Without a label or a release in the U.S., the Local Natives were able to build their reputation from word of mouth and a little help from airtime on the SoCal station, Indie 103.1. Up until 2009, they had mostly been playing shows to less than stellar audiences. Taylor Rice reminisces, “…we played a lot of shows to ten or twenty people… hopefully with shows like tonight, the fans will come in early and enjoy our set.”

By the beginning of 2009, The Local Natives had already seen some success, especially overseas. Thanks to extensive touring all over Europe, the guys signed with UK label Infectious. Almost immediately, the indie scene in America was drawn to the new sound. As their music evolved they drew comparisons to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Fleet Foxes and their recent tour mates, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. In March of 2009, Local Natives went viral as they played a set in the Daytrotter Studios, available on Daytrotter.com, and followed with features on Aquarium Drunkard and BBC. A quick listen to these live tracks and it is easy to see that they have something special. The emotion and driving rhythms suck you in and leave you wanting more. Not only are the instrumentals masterful and brilliantly engineered but the soul with which they play is unmatched.

Now all that is left is to sign in the U.S. and get records onto store shelves. Well… done! On November 30^th, 2009, it was announced that New York based label Frenchkiss had signed the Local Natives to a recording contract. At the same time the band and label placed the February 16^th, 2010 release date for the Local Natives debut, Gorilla Manor. Haven’t heard of Frenchkiss? Let me help you out; they also have The Antlers, The Hold Steady, Passion Pit and the Dodo’s. When we sat down, the band was excited to think on the possible tours and collaborations with the other fantastic artists at Frenchkiss.  Since the group had to wait a while for a U.S. label, I asked them what advice they had for young musicians looking to be signed. “Patience. We are really impatient and decided we would rather wait and find like minded people.” Says  Bassist Andy Hamm. “Now a day’s, artists can do so much on their own.” Drummer Matt Frazier explains as he talks about social networking, going viral and playing amazing shows. “It’s hard enough to hand over your heart and soul to someone else… we made the conscious decision to go with a label like Frenchkiss because they would let us do what we wanted to do,” says guitarist and vocalist Taylor Rice.

Speaking of the debut, Gorilla Manor, I can tell you first hand that this record will rock people’s world! The album includes fan favorites such as “Sun Hands”, “Airplanes” and “Camera Talk” as well as newer tracks like “Wide Eyes”. The U.S. release will maintain the same core music as the UK release but should include bonus tracks or a bonus disc with acoustic takes on their most popular songs. “Even though it took us a while to put it all together, we’re thrilled with the album,” Says Taylor, “It has been an unconscious evolution even in the year since we recorded.” I asked them what the recording process was like and was not at all surprised by the answer. “It was a major collaborative process, with everyone doing a lot of different things,” explains Kelcey. When you hear their songs, you understand that every member of the band is important and contributes to the finished sound.

The Local Natives experience takes a different turn when you see them perform live. It is even better! The band stands in one line Taylor Rice, Kelcey Ayer, Ryan Hahn and Andy Hamm up front and drummer Matt Frazier right behind them. Each musician with a microphone and an instrument, it is a glorious sight with everyone pouring their soul out over the crowd below. The vocal harmonies push out with force and passion and the insane drum lines echo the racing hearts of everyone in attendance. At the show I saw in Boulder, Colorado, The Local Natives were the first of three bands for the evening and began playing to a less than packed house. By the second song the floor was shoulder to shoulder, every patron dancing and swaying to the rhythms. After the set, I spoke with a few people in the crowd who said they were highlight of the evening. “I’ve never heard of them and they blew me away!” says one young lady standing by me. “They were incredible,” echoes an eavesdropper nearby. Without roadies and techs to clear out their gear, the boys slaved away to make way for the second band, Fools Gold. While they were unplugging and carrying amps and guitars off stage the crowd continued to yell out, “You guys are awesome!” “Local Natives rock!” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

So, what’s on tap for the Local Natives that has MYSBLT all a buzz? 2010 will be a huge year for the LA band as they release their debut stateside and play enough shows to wear out the tires on the tour bus. For January thru March, The Local Natives will reward their supporters overseas, playing shows in the UK and all over Europe. Finally the spring will welcome back the boys for shows coast to coast in the U.S. including sets at South By Southwest. SXSW 2009 was a huge coming out party for the band as they frantically played as many sets as they could and SXSW 2010 should be no different. My guess is that this time they will be one of the most talked about acts when all is said and done. The indie rock scene is dying for an act like this and will eat up the harmonies and character of their live performances. “We’re just going to be supporting the album… all over Europe, the U.S. and hopefully Australia and Japan.” Taylor Rice explains their plans for the New Year. “Then it’s on to the moon… that’s our main goal.” If any band has the chance to do exactly that in 2010, it’s The Local Natives. 

I want to thank Taylor, Andy, Kelcey, Matt and Ryan for letting me crash their dressing room and talk about their music. More than great musicians, they are awesome guys who love their fans and supporters. We here at MYSBLT and the Princeton Record Exchange have no doubt that we will see great things from The Local Natives in 2010. Keep up the good work gentlemen, you will always have our support.

Be sure to follow The Local Natives through their website, Thelocalnatives.com, Facebook, Myspace and ILike. U.S. tour dates should be announced soon and the debut Gorilla Manor will hit shelves February 16^th. For exclusive content, as well as updates and top tracks, become a fan of MYSBLT on Facebook. Just search MYSBLT and click “Become a Fan”. We are also available on Twitter @MYSBLT. As always your comments are welcomed and encouraged and if there is something you think we should be listening to, let us know. For now,

Love, peace and chicken grease.