Jaws of Love Shares New Single & Announces West Coast Dates

Local Natives' songwriter, vocalist and pianist Kelcey Ayer unveils "Hawaiian License Plates." the third single taken from his upcoming debut album as Jaws of Love. Following the stunning eponymous debut single "Jaws of Love." and "Love Me Like I'm Gone." which was featured in Will Arnett's Netflix series Flaked, "Hawaiian License Plates." sees Ayer's soaring vocals and intricate production courtesy of COMBAT! meet the signature JoL piano ballad. Written while in Honolulu with his wife, Ayer was inspired by the shorter license plates he noticed while driving in the rain. Listen to the song via DIY HERE.

Today Jaws of Love. also announces additional West Coast tour dates, starting with an album release show inAyer's hometown of Los Angeles with COMBAT! as support. See below to find a show near you, and get your tickets when they go on-sale on Friday HERE.

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. This is Ayer's solo debut, as well as the first side project from a member of Local Natives. This gorgeous record sees Ayer hone in on his master craft: the emotive piano ballad as highlighted on Local Natives' critically acclaimed second albumHummingbird. Pre-order Tasha Sits Close to the Piano HERE.

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."

As Local Natives geared up to release their third album last summer, Ayer booked time in the same LA studio, Electro-Vox, where the band had recorded Sunlit Youth, and in a three-day burst he recorded a handful of his own songs with the help of engineer Michael Harris and mixer Cian Riordan. Without any intention of releasing the tracks initially, Ayer allowed his emotional intuition to lead the way in the process. This ultimately yielded powerful results and was an exhilarating experience that led Ayer to decide to continue writing. He returned to the studio later in the year, and - aided by the studio's myriad synthesizers, antique equipment, preamps, and outboard gear, in addition to drums recorded by Local Natives' drummer Matt Frazier - Ayer completed his gorgeous solo debut.

"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!

(Credit: Lani Trock)