Local Natives Say 'Wide Eyes' Looks to the Future

Local Natives' first album is yet to even be released in the band's, um, native United States, but that hasn't stopped the Los Angeles-based quintet keeping half an eye on changing things up for their follow-up effort. "We're focused on evolving, at least I would like to think so," singer-guitarist Taylor Rice tells Spinner in an exclusive chat following the group's sold out show at Amsterdam's famous Paradiso club on Thursday night (Jan. 21).

In fact, according to the band, 'Gorilla Manor' -- which was released in the UK back in November and will finally hit stores Stateside in February via Les Savy Fav's Frenchkiss Records -- already offers fans a hint of future Local Natives sounds, having been recorded in two stages. Of the more recent tracks, apparently disc opener 'Wide Eyes' gives the best indication of the way forward for the group.

"We were lucky enough that things took so f------ long [with 'Gorilla Manor'] that we were able to go back and take another look," explains Rice. "So we added three new songs to the album, and [Talking Heads cover] 'Warning Sign'. 'Wide Eyes' was a late addition and it shows an evolution of us."

Not that anything is likely to be set in stone yet for the group, who have embarked on a two-month trek which will wind through mainland Europe before hitting the UK late February. Insists Rice: "The thing about our band is that every time one of us comes up with an idea for a song it gets flipped on its head fifteen times before it's done."