Kelcey Ayer

Kelcey Ayer
Ayer in 2013
Background information
Born
Kelcey Paul Ayer
OriginOrange County, California, U.S.
GenresIndie rock
Years active2005–present
LabelsNo Label, formerly Frenchkiss Records, Loma Vista

Kelcey Ayer is a Colombian-American musician and co-founder of Los Angeles-based indie rock band Local Natives. From 2017-2024, Ayer released solo work as Jaws of Love.[1][2][3][4] Kelcey Ayer exited Local Natives in 2024 and in 2025 released two EPs under his given name. [5][6] He will open for Jordana on her US tour in March 2026, with stops in 11 cities and a solo show in Chicago. [7]

Career

Kelcey Ayer was raised in Orange County, California, where he was a neighbor of Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn.[8][9] The three began writing and performing music together in high school.[10] Ayer attended a private Catholic high school,[11] while Rice and Hahn attended the neighboring Tesoro High School.[12] Ayer attended San Francisco State University before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, until he dropped out to pursue music full time.[13]

Kelcey Ayer released six studio albums and two EPs with Local Natives since forming in 2005. Ayer plays keyboards, percussion, and guitar, in addition to singing lead vocals.[14] All members split work on the band's musical output evenly, including cover artwork and songwriting.[15][16] On February 26, 2011, Local Natives played the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA. [17]

From 2017-2024, Kelcey Ayer released music as Jaws of Love., alongside his work with Local Natives.[18][19][20][21]

On April 29, 2024, Ayer announced his amicable departure from Local Natives. He remained 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."[22]

Kelcey Ayer played KCRW’s School Night in Los Angeles on November 4, 2025. [23] On November 5, 2025, Ayer released a second EP called Hand Me Downs.

Kelcey Ayer will open for Jordana on her US tour in March 2026, with stops in 11 cities and a solo show in Chicago. [24]

Discography

With Local Natives

As "Jaws of Love."

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

As "Kelcey Ayer"

  • No Sleep EP (2025)
  • Hand Me Downs EP (2025)

References

  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. ^ Lesuer, Mike (July 18, 2025). "Kelcey Ayer Talks Us Through His Debut EP No Sleep at a Very Hushed Volume". Flood. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  6. ^ Kloke, Adria (November 4, 2025). "5 SONGS TO HEAR THIS WEEK: NOVEMBER 4, 2025". Flood. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  7. ^ Polsely, Victoria (December 11, 2025). "Artists on your radar for 2026". Earmilk. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  8. ^ Purcell, Andrew (2010-11-11). "Local Natives: clockwork from Orange County". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Interview: Local Natives". 34th Street Magazine. October 21, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  11. ^ "Poetic Memory: Local Natives (List)". www.owlandbear.com. 2 September 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "Orange Pop: Cavil at Rest isn't taking it easy". The Orange County Register. August 28, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  13. ^ "Indie group back with new name, ambition". Daily Bruin. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Comingore, Aly (2017-07-20). "Local Natives' Kelcey Ayer Debuts His Dark Solo Project Jaws of Love". Vice. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ Brown, August (2011-02-27). "Live music review: Local Natives at Walt Disney Concert Hall". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  18. ^ "Jaws of Love.: Tasha Sits Close To The Piano Review". pastemagazine.com. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  19. ^ Redfern, Mark. "16th Annual Artist Survey: Kelcey Ayer of Local Natives and Jaws of Love". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  20. ^ "Local Natives' Kelcey Ayer brings solo project Jaws of Love to Barboza". The Seattle Times. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Breihan, Tom (April 30, 2024). "Local Natives Announce Departure Of Co-Founder Kelcey Ayer, Cover Adrianne Lenker For SiriusXMU". Stereogum. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  23. ^ Kloke, Adria (November 4, 2025). "5 SONGS TO HEAR THIS WEEK: NOVEMBER 4, 2025". Flood. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  24. ^ Polsely, Victoria (December 11, 2025). "Artists on your radar for 2026". Earmilk. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
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