Taylor Rice is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter best known as a founding member of the indie rock band Local Natives. He shares vocal, instrumental, and songwriting responsibilities within the group, whose music is distinguished by layered harmonies, rhythmic arrangements, and a collaborative creative process.

Local Natives gained international attention with their debut album, Gorilla Manor. Rice has since contributed to a catalog spanning six studio albums, including Hummingbird, Sunlit Youth, Violet Street, Time Will Wait for No One, and But I’ll Wait for You.

Taylor Rice Profile Summary

Taylor Rice’s Early Life and Background

Rice grew up in Orange County, California. He attended Tesoro High School in Las Flores, where his early musical development became closely connected with future Local Natives guitarist Ryan Hahn.

Rice and Hahn began playing guitar together while they were young. During high school, they formed an early version of a band called Cavil at Rest. Future Local Natives member Kelcey Ayer later joined their musical circle.

The group continued developing through several lineup changes. Bassist Andy Hamm and drummer Matthew Frazier subsequently became involved, helping establish the configuration that evolved into Local Natives.

Rice and his bandmates eventually moved into a house together in Orange County. Their shared residence became an important creative space and inspired the title of their first Local Natives album, Gorilla Manor. Rice later became associated with the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.

Taylor Rice’s Relationship and Net Worth

Rice keeps much of his personal life outside his professional public profile. Reliable sources do not provide sufficient information to characterize his current relationship status.

His net worth is similarly undocumented. No authoritative financial reporting offers a verified account of his earnings, assets, or contractual arrangements.

Rice’s likely professional income sources include recorded music, publishing royalties, touring, merchandise, and other band-related activities. These categories do not provide a factual basis for estimating his personal wealth because Local Natives’ internal financial arrangements are not public.

Taylor Rice’s Career and Professional Journey

Taylor Rice and the Formation of Local Natives

The musical partnership that became Local Natives originated with Rice, Hahn, and their friends in Orange County. Before adopting their current name, they performed as Cavil at Rest.

The group coalesced during the mid-2000s and adopted the Local Natives name in 2008. Rather than assigning rigid creative roles, its members developed songs collectively. That approach has remained an important part of the band’s identity.

Rice contributes guitar and vocals, frequently moving between lead and supporting parts. His voice also forms part of the group’s multi-member harmonies.

Taylor Rice and Gorilla Manor

Local Natives released Gorilla Manor internationally in 2009, followed by its United States release in 2010. The independently financed album was produced by the band with Raymond Richards.

Its title came from the house where the members lived and worked together. Songs such as “Airplanes,” “Wide Eyes,” “Sun Hands,” and “World News” introduced the band’s combination of vocal harmonies, dynamic percussion, and melodic guitar arrangements.

Performances at the 2009 South by Southwest festival helped Local Natives attract attention from music publications and audiences. Favorable reviews and an extensive touring schedule established Gorilla Manor as the band’s breakthrough release.

Taylor Rice and Hummingbird

Local Natives released Hummingbird in January 2013. Aaron Dessner of the National produced the album, which adopted a more reflective tone than its predecessor.

“Breakers,” “Heavy Feet,” and “You & I” became prominent tracks from the record. Hummingbird reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200, the band’s highest documented position on that chart.

Rice contributed vocals, guitar, and songwriting to the project. In contemporary interviews, he described the album as emerging from a period of significant change for the group.

Taylor Rice and Sunlit Youth

The band’s third studio album, Sunlit Youth, arrived in September 2016. The record incorporated more keyboards, synthesizers, and electronic textures while preserving the group’s vocal arrangements.

Its songs include “Past Lives,” “Villainy,” “Fountain of Youth,” and “Dark Days.” The latter features vocals from Nina Persson of the Cardigans.

Sunlit Youth reflected Local Natives’ willingness to expand beyond the predominantly guitar-driven character of their earlier work. Rice remained central to its shared vocal and instrumental approach.

Taylor Rice and Violet Street

Local Natives released Violet Street in April 2019. The album continued the band’s experimentation with layered production and rhythm while maintaining its emphasis on group harmonies.

Singles from the project included “When Am I Gonna Lose You,” “Café Amarillo,” and “Tap Dancer.” The album represented another stage in the band’s movement between intimate songwriting and more elaborate studio production.

Taylor Rice and Local Natives’ 2023–2024 Albums

The band returned with Time Will Wait for No One in July 2023. Its creation followed a period of separation and personal change among the members, prompting them to reassess their collaborative process.

Local Natives released the companion album But I’ll Wait for You in April 2024. The two records originated from the same wider recording period and were presented as related bodies of work.

Later in 2024, founding member Kelcey Ayer left Local Natives on amicable terms. Rice continued with Ryan Hahn, Matthew Frazier, and Nik Ewing.

Taylor Rice’s Songs with Local Natives

Rice’s recorded work forms part of the band’s collective catalog. Notable Local Natives songs include:

• “Airplanes”
• “Sun Hands”
• “Wide Eyes”
• “Breakers”
• “Heavy Feet”
• “Past Lives”
• “Dark Days”
• “When Am I Gonna Lose You”
• “NYE”
• “April”

Because Local Natives uses a collaborative writing model, individual songs should not be attributed solely to Rice unless their official credits support that designation.

Taylor Rice’s Live Performances

Touring has been a major component of Rice’s career. Local Natives have performed across North America, Europe, and other international markets, appearing at festivals and established concert venues.

The band performed at Salt Lake City’s Twilight Concert Series in 2014. That year’s broader program also included artists such as Lindsey Stirling and Kaskade, although these acts did not necessarily share the stage on the same date.

Live performances place particular emphasis on the group’s vocal interplay and percussion. Rice alternates between lead vocals, harmonies, and guitar parts within those arrangements.

Taylor Rice’s Major Achievements and Recognition

Rice’s most substantial professional achievement is his role in sustaining Local Natives across more than two decades of musical collaboration. The group has released six studio albums and developed an international touring career.

Gorilla Manor brought the band broad critical recognition, while Hummingbird reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent albums demonstrated the members’ ability to modify their sound without abandoning their ensemble-based approach.

Rice has not been widely credited with a major individual music award. His recognition is primarily connected to Local Natives’ recordings, live performances, critical reception, and longevity within indie rock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor Rice

How old is Taylor Rice?

Rice is reported to have been born on June 24, 1985. Based on that date, he turned 41 in June 2026.

What band is Taylor Rice in?

Rice is a founding member of Local Natives. Before adopting that name, he and several future bandmates performed as Cavil at Rest.

What does Taylor Rice do in Local Natives?

He performs vocals and guitar and participates in the band’s collaborative songwriting and arranging process.

What are Taylor Rice and Local Natives’ best-known songs?

Notable Local Natives songs include “Airplanes,” “Sun Hands,” “Breakers,” “Past Lives,” “Dark Days,” and “When Am I Gonna Lose You.”

How many albums have Taylor Rice and Local Natives released?

Local Natives have released six studio albums: Gorilla Manor, Hummingbird, Sunlit Youth, Violet Street, Time Will Wait for No One, and But I’ll Wait for You. The catalog is documented through the band’s Concord artist profile.

Conclusion

Taylor Rice is an American vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter whose career developed from an Orange County high school band into the internationally recognized group Local Natives. His work encompasses six studio albums, extensive touring, and a catalog built through collective songwriting.

From the breakthrough reception of Gorilla Manor to the paired releases Time Will Wait for No One and But I’ll Wait for You, Rice has remained an important part of Local Natives’ sound. His documented career is defined by sustained collaboration, vocal harmony, guitar work, and the band’s continuing evolution within indie rock.