While four-piece Royal Teeth’s alternative pop music may differ from the average Louisiana sound, its attempt to capture the spirit and energy of the state sets the band apart.
Frontman, singer and guitarist Gary Larsen believes it’s important to shine light on all the genres that Louisiana has to offer.
“It’s easy for people to forget about how much different kinds of music is happening [in Louisiana],” Larsen said. “It’s always funny that it creates a surprise like, ‘Oh, a pop band in Louisiana. How does that work?’ Believe it or not; it works just fine.”
Larsen rejects the assumption that pop music lacks sincerity, asserting that he won’t produce work that doesn’t feel genuine.
Although its music shies away from traditional Southern sounds, Royal Teeth is quintessentially Louisiana in its high-energy sound and fun party atmosphere.
“We want that everybody on the street corner playing music and dancing [feeling] to come across in our music,” drummer Josh Hefner said.
Royal Teeth is bringing its buoyant sound — described by Larsen as “Afro hug-step” — to the Varsity on Sept. 21. Regardless of genre labels, they ultimately just want their audience to feel good, he said.
Royal Teeth’s live shows have been known to feature eccentric antics, particularly on Larsen’s front, such as stage diving and performing part of the set in the crowd.
The audience can expect to hear a few new songs but will also hear the group’s go-to’s, like its 2012 hit “Wild,” a track that’s been featured in numerous national commercials and TV shows.
Hefner still remembers where he was the first time he heard the track in a commercial — even though it was a Canadian Buick commercial he had to watch online. Larsen expressed similar sentiments with a healthy dose of nostalgia.
“You don’t really expect a song that quickly to do something like that,” Larsen said. “It was just a really cool moment, like ‘Oh, wow. This is real. This is a full-time gig we’re doing here.’ That was pretty special.”
Since then, Royal Teeth has strived for constant growth and movement. If the group is always excited about what its doing, Hefner said, then the members will always feel successful.
Even though the band moved up from playing Sunday afternoon shows at small local music festivals, they’re thankful for any opportunity they get. They’re just grateful people still want to hear their music seven years later, Hefner said.
“I’ll put on a bad ass show for 11 people if I have to. And I’m happy to,” Larsen said.
The band has evolved since its inception, especially in going through band members, decreasing from a six-piece to a quartet. Personally, they’ve also gone through a lot, leading to a shift in that respect, Larsen said. This is particularly true for him, who found his fiancé with the addition of singer Nora Patterson.
Larsen and Patterson’s wedding is next month, and Larsen considers himself part of the small percentage of people who have made an in-band relationship work.
“We get along really well,” Larsen said. “It’s just fun. I get to write songs with her, and I trust her instinct so much. It’s kind of easy for me…It seems like I’m just lucky.”
Royal Teeth hopes to release new music by the end of this year and foresees an upcoming winter tour.
“As long as we’re able to keep putting out music and keep playing shows, things tend to just figure themselves out,” Larsen said.

Listen to Royal Teeth’s latest EP “Amateurs” below.