In Love with Local Natives

I’ve read that for some this band conjures up feelings of flying and jumping out of airplanes. This weekend I’m going to jump out of an airplane so I will let you know if the two are similar. Even if Local Natives don’t give you the same skin-rippling sensation that free falling 20,000 feet on a clear Autumn day does, this band still comes highly recommended. The slightly operatic five piece has garnered a dedicated following with their powerful songs about poignant personal issues such as death in the family and sneaking into girlfriend’s rooms. There’s an innate romantic notion to their spirited, jovial orchestral pop, but I wouldn’t call it free falling or flying so much as incomparable swooning.

It’s like in the penultimate scene of a cinematic classic when the lovers embrace and the angels sing. It’s not all cheesy though, their songs are perfectly constructed and considered, with intelligent pieces from all instruments and members coming together to form well-rounded and literary songs. They are a breath of fresh air, compelling to listen to, and fronted by some of the loveliest guys you’d ever encounter. Taylor Rice wrote to me recently, detailing the band’s activity. I had urged him to stay in touch after I first wrote about Local Natives on EMJ in October. Taylor said he was having “a ridiculously crazy time” at SXSW in Austin, Texas, where they played nine successful and exciting shows including an official showcase with Grizzly Bear. Next the band is embarking on its first ever big self-booked tour, from Los Angeles on April 18 to Canada on May 1. They’re taking in the West Coast of the United States. “Self booking tours is hard AND fun,” Taylor said.

The prolific five-piece also has an EP and an album in the pipeline. “We’re currently working with our friends over at Daytrotter on a 5-song EP which will include unreleased new tracks that we recorded live at Daytrotter during our January tour, along with new tracks from our upcoming album,” said Taylor. The album, titled Gorilla Manor, is yet to have an announced release date but already two promising songs from the it, World News and Stranger Things, have been made available (below) thanks to Taylor. The resourceful and inspired group also filmed this impromtu music video (above) while on tour recently. “We found an abandoned warehouse while on tour in New York and shot this video of us playing Airplanes. If you like reverb, then you will like it,” Taylor said. Who doesn’t like reverb? The acoustics of that place are beautiful!

Local Natives is also one of the more technologically advanced bands I’ve encountered; they compiled and superbly edited their own super cute tour videos including rabid Chihuahuas, subzero temperatures and crazy dancing! The second part is below. I personally can’t wait for their album and more tour updates!