Local Natives is an indie-pop/rock band formed in 2008, from Los Angeles, California. Guitarists Ryan Hahn and Taylor Rice, and keyboardist Kelcey Ayer met while attending Orange County high school, and soon recruited drummer Matt Frazier and bassist Andy Hamm. The band relocated to Silver Lake, where they began to create their unique and highly-collaborative sound, utilizing lots of vocal harmonies and dreamy melodies.
2009/2010 saw the successful release of their debut album, Gorilla Manor. Here is the video for the first track on the album, “Wide Eyes.”
Bassist Andy Hamm left Local Natives in 2011, and the band continued on as a quartet. Musically, Local Natives went in darker direction with their follow-up LP, Hummingbird, in 2013, written after the departure of bassist Andy Hamm and after keyboardist/vocalist Kelcey Ayers’ mother died of cancer. Check out the music video for “Breakers” from Hummingbird.
The next video had a very somber feel, and seems very reflective of the recent losses experinced by the band members. Watch the video for “You and I” from Humingbird.
Right after the release of their 2nd LP, the band added bassist Nick Ewing, to take Hamm’s place. Local Natives continued to tour once again as a quintet, in support of Hummingbird, which reached number 12 on the Billboard 200.
They released their 3rd album, Sunlit Youth, in September if 2016. The album has an electro-pop feel, and is noticeably more upbeat than the previous album. It’s especially noticeable in “Villainy”, watch the video below!
They have such a versatile sound – check out “Coins” from Sunlit Youth below:
And I know you know this one… we play it on 106.3 Radio Lafayette! Here is the Lyric video for “Fountain Of Youth” from Sunlit Youth!
