Local Natives’ songwriter, vocalist and pianist Kelcey Ayer has released his new single “Hawaiian License Plates”, taken from his debut album as Jaws of Love. Following the singles “Jaws of Love.” and “Love Me Like I’m Gone.” The track was written while in Honolulu with his wife, Ayer was inspired by the shorter license plates he noticed while driving in the rain.

Jaws of Love. will release its debut album entitled Tasha Sits Close to the Piano – named by Ayer’s wife about the couple’s dog Tasha – on September 22nd via K-Rizzla/House Arrest.

Kelcey Ayer, the creative force behind Jaws of Love., has always been an ace at writing a good love song – he just didn’t always know it. “I used to think that in order to write about love, something had to be wrong,” he says. “I often got my material from pain, or insecurity, or problems – I thought I couldn’t write a good love song because I am in love and it’s going so well. But I’ve grown to realize that even in the most amazing relationships there are turbulent times and misunderstandings that are unavoidable. And that doesn’t mean that anything is doomed, but love is such a complicated thing. The idea of ‘jaws of love’ felt so perfect for this project because it’s all about love’s trials and tribulations.”

“The whole project is me trying to embrace my nuances and indulge in it,” he says. “It was such an awesome release making these songs, and that let me embrace who I feel like I am. It was wonderful to not have to explain myself to anyone. I have dark piano music in my heart and soul, and Jaws of Love. is me at my truest self.”

TOUR DATES:
September 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Masonic Lodge *
November 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord *
November 10 – Portland, OR @ Fremont Theater *
November 11 – Vancouver, BC @ St. James Hall *
November 12 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza *
* with COMBAT!