Interview: Local Natives

Panic Dots were lucky enough to catch up with Andy Hamm from the L.A based band Local Natives.
Local Natives caught the attention of all the right people at SXSW last year and have since released their very successful album Gorilla Manor.
The band have sold out in London and Dublin and will be playing in Belfast on March 11th. Ch Ch Check these guys out! Seriously sweet ass band. I should just point out that the support act is Peggy Sue. THEY ARE SOOO EFFING GOOD! This is gonna be such a sweet night.

Tickets here

Album here

Myspace here

Here’s what happened with myself and Andy Hamm.

Local Natives have become pretty popular over a very short period of time, how did things kick off and what do you think made the band stand out?

The short of the long is that at least to us, it doesn’t feel like it was quick turn around. We’ve been friends for a few years already and writing music together for just as long. I think if there was a “kick off” it would have been about a year and half ago when we became Local Natives and really started taking the band, our music, our shows and pretty much everything associated a lot more seriously. It was no longer a part time thing for shits and giggles. That change in mindset really helped us write the songs that ended up on the album.

The artwork and visuals in the band are always pretty exciting and interesting to look at. Is that the influence of any of the band members?

We do all our own artwork within the band. I’ve always been inspired and drawn to bands that have unique visuals especially when it compliments the sounds. I am on Photoshop way too much for my own good while on tour.

You are in the middle of doing a bit of a European tour and then UK tour and then off to SXSW in Texas, how are you finding being away from home?

I think we’d all be lying if we said we don’t have times where we miss LA and everyone who comes with it. Even as a kid growing up though, I was never a homebody and I loved putting myself in awkward surroundings with interesting people. I feel very lucky.

Are you all loving touring or is it grinding down on you a bit?

The best part of tour is that its like being around your four best friends for the whole summer. And the worst part about being on tour is that its like being around your four best friends for the whole summer.

2010 has clearly started with a lot of touring for the band, what does the band plan to be doing by the end of the year?

More touring, write some more music and then lay on my pea-green couch at home with my girlfriend eating spaghetti.

Nick one of their songs from this thingy below!