Local Blood

About

" Small-town boys turned moody heroes of the new guitar age "

Local Blood are a post-punk band from Vilnius, simple as that. At least that’s how they introduce themselves on social media. Introverted and modest – that’s the impression you’re likely to get if you bump into these chaps backstage. On stage and on the record, though, it’s a totally different story.

Members of Local Blood (formed in 2014) hail from the small town of Plungė (population – 17 000), so the joke about ‘the only post-punk dudes in the village’ definitely springs to mind. Finding themselves in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, they swiftly made their mark – debut EP ‘A Lure Of Sights’ (2017) drew favourable comparisons to Joy Division (which the musicians themselves smirk at), invitations to appear at Lithuania’s biggest alternative music festivals, and warm-up slots for the likes of Son Lux and Girls Names.

Against all logic, the band stopped and took a break. It all makes sense now – hearing the music they’re creating at the moment, it’s a bit strange to think that it all started with quite a generic post-punk record. Re-emerging in 2022, Local Blood delivered ‘Dystopian Disco’, their first LP, which showed great promise and progress. To quote the band, “we have emerged from the post-punk genre, retaining the essential elements of this genre. We’re confident in what we’ve created now and where we’re heading to.”

‘Dystopian Disco’ brought them a nomination for Best Rock Act at M.A.M.A. (Lithuania’s biggest music awards ceremony), but the guys were already busy with their new project. That was launched in the middle of November 2023 in the form of ‘Loverman’ – a concept album about the criminal romanticism of early 90‘s Lithuania. An era when, having re-gained independence, this country was adapting to a new reality and all the dark gangster stuff that went with it.

Presenting the album, Local Blood turned Loftas (one of the coolest venues in Vilnius, and the location of the Lithuanian Europavox Festival) into a weird and kitschy nightclub – showing that there’s a lot of dark irony beneath their nonchalance. It’s all in the blood, it seems. By the way, why Local Blood? Turns out, they grew up on their same street. However, the appeal they exude is anything but local. Local Blood are ready for big things – and it‘s about time for you to discover them.