(Video, audio and tour dates included) We’re always on the lookout for new, breakout bands. And so is everyone else. Here’s one for you: Local Natives. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor released just a week ago and they’re getting massive pub around the Interwebs. Many critics have already tabbed them “indie darlings” of 2010. I suspect that the lead singer’s Freddy Mercury/John Oates mustache helps, too.
UPDATE: We saw Local Natives live. Read the Local Natives concert review now.
What do they sound like? Glad you asked. Local Natives sounds like talent. It’s definitely an interesting mix – there are keyboards, strings, an occasional trumpet and all of the singing band members have some pipes that blend flawlessly. No kidding.
The instruments are treated as an accompanyment to the overall music and vocals. It’s never overpowering but rather understated; however not unimportant. If you like Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire or Vampire Weekend, Local Natives are for you. If you don’t like those bands, you probably won’t like this either. But give it a shot. There are two videos below; the first is “Airplanes” and the second is “Sun Hands.” What I find most impressive is that these are live performances, not studio work, but it sounds like it could be. And that’s always a sign of a talented band, whether it’s your style or not. They also do a nice cover of Talking Heads’ “Warning Sign.” And really, you can’t go wrong with covering Talking Heads.
Below the videos are current tour dates, including a stop in Chicago at Schuba’s. That show WILL sell out, so if you like them, get tickets here.
You can listen to Gorilla Manor for free, right here, at the bottom of this post. You can also order a vinyl copy of Gorilla Manor.
Airplanes
Sun Hands
Tour
| Feb 24 2010 | 8:00P | Thekla | Bristol |
| Feb 25 2010 | 8:00P | Rescue Rooms | Nottingham |
| Feb 26 2010 | 8:00P | Concorde II | Brighton |
| Feb 27 2010 | 8:00P | SOLD OUT Brudenell | Leeds |
| Feb 28 2010 | 8:00P | Arts Centre | Norwich |
| Mar 2 2010 | 8:00P | SOLD OUT Heaven | London |
| Mar 3 2010 | 8:00P | Academy 3 | Birmingham |
| Mar 4 2010 | 8:00P | Club Academy | Manchester |
| Mar 5 2010 | 8:00P | King Tuts | Glasgow |
| Mar 6 2010 | 8:00P | Academy 2 | Newcastle |
| Mar 10 2010 | 8:00P | SOLD OUT Academy 2 | Dublin |
| Mar 11 2010 | 8:00P | Limelight | Belfast |
| Mar 18 2010 | 8:00P | SWSX | Austin, Texas |
| Mar 19 2010 | 8:00P | SXSW | Austin, Texas |
| Mar 20 2010 | 8:00P | SSXW | Austin, Texas |
| Apr 18 2010 | 3:00P | Coachella | Indio, California |
| Apr 20 2010 | 8:00P | Solar Culture | Tuscon, Arizona |
| Apr 22 2010 | 8:00P | The Cavern | Dallas, Texas |
| Apr 23 2010 | 8:00P | Emo’s (inside) | Austin, Texas |
| Apr 24 2010 | 8:00P | Mango’s | Houston, Texas |
| Apr 26 2010 | 8:00P | Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Apr 27 2010 | 8:00P | Thirsty Hippo | Haittesburg, Mississippi |
| Apr 29 2010 | 8:00P | Cafe 11 | St. Augustine, Florida |
| Apr 30 2010 | 8:00P | The Basement | Nashville, Tennessee |
| May 1 2010 | 8:00P | Masquerade | Atlanta, Georgia |
| May 4 2010 | 8:00P | Local 506 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| May 5 2010 | 8:00P | DC 9 | Washington DC, Washington DC |
| May 6 2010 | 8:00P | Bowery Ballroom | New York, New York |
| May 7 2010 | 8:00P | Kung Fu Necktie | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| May 8 2010 | 8:00P | Great Scott | Allston, Massachusetts |
| May 11 2010 | 8:00P | Beachland Tavern | Cleveland, Ohio |
| May 12 2010 | 8:00P | The Basement | Columbus, Ohio |
| May 14 2010 | 8:00P | Schubas | Chicago, Illinois |
| May 15 2010 | 8:00P | Rock Island Brewing Company | Rock Island, Illinois |
| May 17 2010 | 8:00P | 400 Bar | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| May 18 2010 | 8:00P | The Mill | Iowa City, Iowa |
| May 19 2010 | 8:00P | Mojo’s | Columbia, Missouri |
| May 21 2010 | 8:00P | Larimer Lounge | Denver, Colorado |
| May 22 2010 | 8:00P | Kilby Court | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| May 25 2010 | 8:00P | Empyrean | Spokane, Washington |
| May 26 2010 | 8:00P | Neurolux | Boise, Idaho |
| May 27 2010 | 8:00P | Mississippi Studios | Portland, Oregon |
| May 28 2010 | 8:00P | Media Club | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| May 30 2010 | 8:00P | Sasquatch! | Seattle, Washington |
| Jun 3 2010 | 8:00P | Bottom of the Hill | San Francisco, California |
| Jun 10 2010 | 8:00P | Bonnaroo | Manchester, Tennessee |
| Jun 15 2010 | 8:00P | Shepherds Bush Empire | London |
