Bubblegum Heaven

With our local live scene more than just withering on the dancing front, Local Natives may need to come and rescue us! Some bands here have been doing a terrific job in propelling us from our reserved arm-crossed, slack-jawed and dull-eyed demeanors – Bang! Bang! Eche! to name one example – but none of our local natives incorporate a’capella-style harmonies the likes of the Beach Boys or Rooney, and with dancey percussive rhythms and speediness to boot. Local Natives do just that. Approaching me very enthusiastically, it was the more than just the personal touch in the email I received from the band’s guitarist and one of the three singers, Taylor Rice, that propelled me to click on their website. Housed in tropical, desirable “so/cal”, attending UCLA and with colourful, expressive names, Local Natives caught my attention. Their spirited harmonies can at times nigh on the overtly-sentimental side, as well being doubled with strings and slick percussion. But the creative use of said percussion, and clever bass lines coupled with cute keys make it more interesting. They definitely have talent, and sound like they’ve been in school choirs all their lives. Apparently they riotously clap and stomp on stage, getting audiences to participate. Some may criticise their slickly polished sound and rather clean image (minus the bubblegum wall-licking pictured above!), but my mega soft spot for squeeky clean so/cal pop bands who sound like they spend their lives on the beach get me giddy every time. Local Natives are a great bunch and I think they should come to New Zealand and party on the beach with us!

Local Natives – Airplane: MP3
Local Natives – Myspace

 

Posted by Sarah Gooding under California
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