Kelcey Paul Ayer is an American musician and co-founder of Los Angeles-based indie rock band Local Natives. In 2017, Ayer released a solo album as Jaws of Love.[1][2][3][4]

Kelcey Ayer
Ayer in 2013
Ayer in 2013
Background information
Birth nameKelcey Paul Ayer
OriginOrange County, California, U.S.
GenresIndie rock
Years active2005–present
LabelsK-Rizzla Records

Career

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Ayer was raised in Orange County, California, where he was a neighbor of Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn.[5][6] The three began performing music together in junior high school.[7] Ayer attended a private Catholic high school,[8] while Rice and Hahn attended the neighboring Tesoro High School.[9] Ayer attended San Francisco State University before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, though he dropped out to pursue music full time.[10]

Local Natives have since released five studio albums since forming in 2005. Ayer plays keyboards, percussion, and guitar, in addition to vocals.[11] All members split work on the band's musical output evenly, including cover artwork and songwriting.[12][13]

On April 29, 2024, Ayer announced his amicable departure from Local Natives. He will remain with the group for the last phase of their touring in support of the albums Time Will Wait for No One (2023) and But I'll Wait for You (2024). In an Instagram post, Ayer explained his departure: "Being in a band this committed and this intense comes with a lot. It's your entire life, and just doesn't leave a ton of room to build anything else. While I have cherished so so much all that we've built, I've always wanted space and time to build other things. I have my own music and my own interests that I'd like to see flourish, and while my bandmates have always been supportive, the reality is that time is finite. It came to a point that I realized my whole adult life I've been a part of one thing and I just yearn to explore." He also added: "Life is long, and who knows, maybe I'll be LN's John Frusciante, but for now I'll say this is not the end of Local Natives or the end of me."[14]

Discography

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With Local Natives

As "Jaws of Love."

  • Tasha Sits Close to the Piano (2017)
  • Second Life (2022)
  • Second Life Second Life: Naked (2024)

References

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  1. ^ "Jaws of Love.: Tasha Sits Close To The Piano Review". pastemagazine.com. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  2. ^ Redfern, Mark. "16th Annual Artist Survey: Kelcey Ayer of Local Natives and Jaws of Love". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  3. ^ "Local Natives' Kelcey Ayer brings solo project Jaws of Love to Barboza". The Seattle Times. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  4. ^ Nattress, Katrina (2017-09-18). "Local Natives' Kelcey Ayer Named His New Album of Love Songs After His Dog". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  5. ^ Purcell, Andrew (2010-11-11). "Local Natives: clockwork from Orange County". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  6. ^ Radio, Southern California Public (2016-09-14). "Local Natives: From high school rock band to selling out theaters". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  7. ^ "Interview: Local Natives". 34th Street Magazine. October 21, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  8. ^ "Poetic Memory: Local Natives (List)". www.owlandbear.com. 2 September 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  9. ^ "Orange Pop: Cavil at Rest isn't taking it easy". The Orange County Register. August 28, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "Indie group back with new name, ambition". Daily Bruin. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  11. ^ Chinen, Nate (2010-05-09). "Two Indie Bands, With Plenty of Three-Part Harmonies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  12. ^ Comingore, Aly (2017-07-20). "Local Natives' Kelcey Ayer Debuts His Dark Solo Project Jaws of Love". Vice. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  13. ^ "SPILL FEATURE: A DREAM OF WHAT IT COULD BE - A CONVERSATION WITH KELCEY AYER OF LOCAL NATIVES". The Spill Magazine. 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  14. ^ Breihan, Tom (April 30, 2024). "Local Natives Announce Departure Of Co-Founder Kelcey Ayer, Cover Adrianne Lenker For SiriusXMU". Stereogum. Retrieved April 30, 2024.