Local Natives

Formed in 2008, Local Natives craft their dramatic and eclectic brand of indie rock from their home base in Los Angeles, California. Meeting in high school in their hometown of Orange County, guitarists Ryan Hahn and Taylor Rice, and keyboardist Kelcey Ayer (all of whom handle vocal duties) recruited drummer Matt Frazier and bassist Andy Hamm and moved to Silver Lake, where they began to forge their highly collaborative sound. Utilizing lots of vocal harmonies and drifting, dreamlike melodies, Local Natives have an intricate sound based around the delicate interconnectedness of all of their parts. This gives the band a sound that is able to be orchestral while still feeling understated, evoking the carefully assembled pop of Grizzly Bear. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, arrived in 2009 through U.K. label Infectious Records (with a domestic release coming by way of Frenchkiss in 2010). In 2011, Andy Hamm left the band, leaving them to continue on as a quartet. Their sophomore effort, Hummingbird, was announced with a 2013 release date. ~ Gregory Heaney, Rovi