A lush seashell waterfall descends into a neon jungle of ambient guitars. A potent beat kicks in and my head nods intuitively to the rhythm. I close my eyes, listen and remember who I am.
Watch the music video for “Remember Who You Are”
Video by Harrison Russell
March 19 | Album Release Party, The Bluebird | Reno, Nev.
With Local Anthology’s debut album, “Remember Who You Are,” released March 7 on Spliffy Records, the tightknit Tahoe Sierra quartet showcases its high-energy, danceable songcraft and potent lyricism.
“We’re not trying to be anybody else,” says lead singer and guitarist Harrison Russell. “Being unique helps. You gotta have your own sound and your own style.”
Since forming in 2016 when Russell and percussionist “Motor Boat” Mic McAndrews starting jamming open mic nights at Fat Cat Bar and Grill in Tahoe City, they’ve opened for popular national acts including Steel Pulse, Pepper, Crazy Town and Bad Brains while cultivating a devoted homegrown following.
“Remember who you are
Don’t let them fool you.
I know that time’s been tough
But we can get there with more love.
And remember who you are
Don’t let them rule you.
I know it’ll turn out right
If we follow that same light.”
–Harrison Russell, “Remember Who You Are”
Bassist Anthony “Tahoe Tony” Leombruno and drummer Cam Davey joined in 2018 reinforcing the group with a diverse set of talents and clear sense of camaraderie.
“We’re definitely friends,” says Russell. “That’s what keeps us together. We fought so much about money putting the album out. We fight about everything. But at the end of the day, we’re brothers, for sure. I don’t know if there’s really any other way to do it.”
In the footsteps of Slightly Stoopid and The Expendables, their music is characteristically Californian reggae rock with a healthy dose of hardcore punk sewn on for good measure. Russell’s raspy, raw, emotive voice draws comparisons to Bradley Nowell of Sublime. Leombruno’s proggy bass thrums through the record like Flea just smoked a red hot philly in his tool shed. The funky drumming of Davey grounds the crispy wall of sound while McAndrews’ percussion sprinkles sweet brown sugar on top.
The band recorded “Remember Who You Are” live in two days of marathon sessions at Subra Doyle’s home studio in Carson City. It’s a defining statement for Russell and the musical brothers he’s made since moving to the area in 2012. Last year, he became father to one Louie Van Russell and realized it was time to make a lasting statement.
“He’s a big inspiration for the record,” he says. “There’s a lot of motivation not to just have fun and play gigs all the time, but to have a real project. I’m thinking about my longevity these days. Our youths our fleeting.”
The album cover depicts the band members contemplating their wavy reflections in the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe. It’s a fitting image for artists reconnecting to their roots when it’s all too easy to forget where you’ve come from.
“It’s about self-expression, the power of an individual, the power of art and freedom of thought,” says Russell. “Remember to be yourself in a world that wants us to conform or divide. It’s basically unity in that.”
In a society that’s increasingly isolated, Local Anthology is a force of harmony. After live music all but shut down a year ago this month, they threw outdoor summer block parties to keep the community alive.
“Our political message is non-political,” says Harrison. “We’re all about stopping the division, thinking for yourself, not being afraid to be yourself and not criticizing other people for being themselves. A big part of our music is just love.”
On March 19, they’ll play an in-person album release party at The Bluebird in Reno, Nev. With more live music hopefully slated to return this summer, Local Anthology’s ambitions are anything but local.
“We’re trying to get out of the bubble,” says Russell. “As soon as we’re able to have festivals, we’ll start with a West Coast tour. We already have a tour bus. My RV is road ready.”
While the pandemic stopped some musicians in their tracks, Local Anthology saw it as an opportunity to refine their act and prepare for a bigger future.
“It made us work harder,” says Harrison. “A lot of people gave up. We decided collectively that we are going to take any avenue we can find.”
Gazing ahead, Harrison sees the potential for a post-pandemic world music scene that is free from corporate and capitalistic manipulation.
“It’s looking like it’s changing things from a commercial setting, taking power from the venue owners and putting back in the artist,” he says. “They legally can’t put on events. But we as free citizens can do whatever we want as long as were not hurting anyone … It never has been about the money. It was the fact that we got together and kept the music alive.” | Local Anthology on Facebook
