Local Natives interviewed by Shitfork Media

http://www.facebook.com/localnatives/posts/462764063757610

Well as much as it pains me to cite Pukefork, I want to pass this interview along.

1) Because I'm a huge fan of Local Natives (and Cavil at Rest) and this Blog's history more or less gives a ton of evidence of that. And LONG before Pitchfork or more or less anyone outside of a few circles (absolutepunk?) and their hometown, knew them.

2) They have been awfully quiet, and perhaps for the better. But this is the 1st semblance of information about their 2nd album.

3) All the Fleet Kittens and Grizzly Cubs fans will be silenced when this record finally does drop.

The interview does talk about how different, and heavy/heavier? this album may be. The stuff they have been listening to? Dylan, Paul Simon, Cocteau Twins, respectable, but definitely not necessarily vastly different or heavier than their previous sound.

It does say this album is expected to come out early 2013. "Early" may mean May, or may mean like February. When that release date comes out and other information about it is announced, of course I'll try and post it in here as soon as I can.

I do wonder a bit about the Hipsters. If they forgot about these guys. But it is good regardless, because when they started to blow up, I felt a bit left out, so if they became more of a cult band again, I might be happy. And if they get bigger, well, they likely will be around still. Although who knows if their music will be as good (seen it many times, but I want to believe it doesn't matter. Kelcey's mom sadly, even just passed away, so inspiration certainly wouldn't seem to be lacking).

Local Natives News: Film + Andy leaves

Wow, 2 pieces of news that are slightly delayed on my part. But, for one, Local Natives, as much as I still love their music and the guys are great, they have finally *made it* so to speak. At least for now. So my keeping tabs on them every day might not be what it once was.

Plus, I don't recall seeing them post anything about these 2 things on twitter or facebook. I may have missed them and they got buried in my twitter feed I suppose.

But my thoughts are 1st sad about Andy leaving as he had been with them more or less since the beginning of Cavil at Rest. But I also am reminded of the likes of people like John Arch (Fates Warning) and maybe more similarly, John Rutsey (Rush) among many others, in the whole constant touring and attention gets to be too much to deal with.

Kevin Moore with Dream Theater is another clear example of that.

But who knows the exact reason behind Andy's departure. I only wish him well and the band can find a new bass player soon.

Actually another that comes to mind in a way is Kile Brewer with Kaddisfly. Another parallel with K-Fly, lol.

As far as this new film, I'm certainly looking forward to it. I couldn't help but watch it and think, I'd like to see Fleet Kittens rock out like that ending of Sun Hands there.

Unfortunate News

It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce that we have recently parted ways with our bassist Andy Hamm. Due to unresolved differences within the band, we strongly feel that, in order to continue in a positive direction, this is the best course of action. We wish Andy the best and will miss him deeply.


-Kelcey, Matt, Ryan and Taylor


"Almost Home" film coming from filmmakers High/Low


Local Natives: Almost Home Trailer from High/Low Film on Vimeo.

Weaving together two sold-out shows at The Fonda Theatre with a series of intimate vignettes exploring the patience, respect and compromise that propel the Local Natives’ volatile creative nucleus, Almost Home is the story of a true democracy, where every band member contributes equally, sharing in the triumphs and follies of building a career the old way: by rarely seeing home. Visually, Yours Truly and High/Low Film took cues from the band's home-grown album artwork to cultivate a pop-art aesthetic, mixing the mediums of 8mm, 16mm, still photography, and digital video for a tale of friendship, hard work and self-sacrifice.

Fleet Kittens - Helplessness Blues (2011) (1.0)

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

Well Well Well. The band, who early in 2008, released an EP I liked Sun Giant and reminded me of my beloved (and almost entirely unknown) Cavil at Rest, and then went on to release their self-titled full-length record a few months later and became the hipster-est of all hipster bands in a few short months. And I went on to realize the album had 1 or 2 good songs on it, with the rest basically using the exact same idea, on every song.

Okay, fine. But of course the praise I never felt was deserved. But that's the way the Hipfork machine works, right? as I came to learn. And Cavil at Rest went on to become even less like this band, even with their name change to Local Natives and their debut album in late 2009 Gorilla Manor.

That all being said, the Fleet Kittens, could be worthy of their real name (or better) if they would evolve and change their style, even the slightest amount. First off, on Sun Giant they had drums and more electric guitar, than on the lp that followed. They need to do more of that.

But they also need to get away from the same formula of Accapella Folk Music with a bit of acoustic guitar. Change it. Add piano, horns, tom drums, xylophone, even a fucking FEMALE SINGER might help. Just stop writing music as a bloody one-trick-pony as their debut album is/was.

And this new song of theirs, after hearing it once, really doesn't sound much different. 5+ minutes in, there finally is a little bit of drum work and electric guitar. But it's so stripped down and in the background, it may as well not even be there.

Maybe they need a different producer or something. Get Rick Rubin or David Botrill to have them use more loudness, more range, more color. ANYTHING frankly. Get them to show some fucking balls! lol.

But basically, I will check this record out, and if it's basically Fleet Kittens Part 2.0. It's sayonara to this band. But by some miracle they do something new and different, I'll be at least close to back where I was after enjoying Sun Giant.

Eating Crow? no. The mere fact I'm even giving them mention and actually going to listen to this album, more or less doesn't warrant that at this point. The sad thing is, they could be good, if they modified and evolved their sound enough. Could they be even close to as good as Local Natives? fat chance. But unlike some of the other Hipfork groups (Vampire Weekend, Yeasayer), I suppose they at least could climb out of the style-with-no-substance category with the right changes.

I guess we'll find out on May 3rd (or around that time).