You say you want some evolution? Just check out the colorful history of The Locals, who have been holding court in their adopted hometown of Chicago for the last decade. Driven by the ever-expanding musical vision of founding members, singer/songwriter Yvonne Doll and bassist Christy Nunes, the band has developed from a low key acoustic outfit to a Dave Matthews-esque roots rock group to its current, electric guitar powered trio (think Pixies, Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) with drummer Kirk Snedeker. Continuing to give their fans, faithful loyalists and newcomers alike a face-first fork full of attitude and fun, The Locals follow their popular full length 2008 album Big Picture with Salt, the first of many four song EPs to follow.
Daring to grow as new sounds and musical themes captured their imagination, Doll and Nunes thrived on the challenging indie music scene by looking at their careers as a long haul journey and redefining the meaning of success to them. Some of The Locals’ acoustic fans resisted their louder, edgier approach, but many who were compelled by Doll’s incisive, emotional songwriting stuck with them. Their slate of gigs has never been busier. Beyond their Windy City base, where they perform regularly at Martyrs, The Elbo Room, Subterreanean, Shuba and The Double Door, the trio has played extensively throughout the Midwest (Milwaukee, Madison, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis) and as far South and West as Austin, Las Vegas (The Eat-M Conference at the Hard Rock) and Southern California.
Eager to break free of the old way of doing things, Doll and Nunes met Snedeker in 2006 through a “seeking drummer” ad on Craigslist. He was the first to respond, and after a brief meeting and one audition, got the gig. They quickly became best friends. Each brings a unique background and artistic sensibility to the band—not to mention a wicked sense of humor. Doll grew up in Cincinnati and made her way to Chicago to attend the Art Institute of Chicago. Beyond her commitment to music, she is a talented visual artist. Her photographs of people sleeping on the train have garnered international recognition. Sleepyurbanite.com was featured on the Today Show, Irish national radio, and the German magazine “I See and Enjoy Reading About Your Misfortunes.”
San Diego native Nunes began playing professionally at the age of 14 and has played in a diverse assortment of bands over the years, bringing an element of each to The Locals - funk, rock, punk, acoustic and classical/jazz. Meanwhile, Snedeker began playing drums at the age of 8, was in an Elvis cover band at age 14 and, in addition to many local bands, put himself through college by playing in a Beatles-centric wedding band, staying with them for 12 years.
Although most of the tracks are instantly accessible, Yvonne’s lyrics give the erudite something to chew on.The powerfully emotional yet playfully jangling “Amnesia” begins with a pensive “Death Cab for Cutie gets serious” vibe before a big open feeling takes over on the chorus. The song is about keeping focused on what’s important—and what keeps you grounded and happy--when the little things are so easy to get wrapped up in. The blistering pop tune “Sound It Out,” which may remind listeners of classic Pat Benatar, grew out of a myspace conversation Yvonne had with a fellow musician who also had a terrible case of writer’s block. The title is advice to self, just saying, screw it, start with baby steps as if you’re learning to read, and then the creativity will eventually flow. “Everything Must Go” is a potential “purge rock” classic, a hard hitting emotionally charged jam about lighting your past on fire (a houseboat is used as metaphor) and getting free from the chains of the past. Then comes the fear of what happens next. Grounded in a Franz Ferdinand/Kings of Leon vibe, “Away From Here” is happy alt rock, a song about losing things you think you’ll miss (like instruments damaged in a flood) but you don’t.