Local indie band The City Life is gearing up for the release of their new single “White Elephant.”

The catchy tune, which is featured on their sophomore album (due out the last week of March), is a great mix of fun lyrics and an eclectic beat.

Leo DeJesus, the lead singer, said the inspiration came from a book of idioms he had lying around. “A white elephant is a gift that causes more trouble than it’s worth,” DeJesus said.

With influences from The Beatles, David Bowie and Blondie, The City Life produces a sound reminiscent of The Killers.

The band has its roots planted in New Orleans, often playing in local venues.

The band got its start when DeJesus, bassist Aaron Souvinette and guitarist Tommy Delbert got together in a warehouse to play some of their favorite songs.

Soon after, they started making their own original music and added drummer Brian Patrick Muller and keyboardist Lucy Gosset.

Although their hearts are in New Orleans, the band members have dreams of touring all over. “If we don’t have to get real jobs that would be great,” Muller said.

One of the band’s favorite gigs was in the small town of Conroe, Texas. “We brought New Orleans to Texas that night,” Souvinette said. They have another show scheduled there in February.

The City Life have competed and placed in Loyola’s own Battle of the Bands competition.

This was especially an honor for Loyola graduates Gosset and DeJesus.

Placing in Loyola’s competition allowed them to enter the battle of the bands competition put on by the National Music and Entertainment Industry Student Organization. They placed third. They have also been featured in Where Y’at? magazine’s “Ones to Watch” section.

The City Life’s first album, “What’s That Sound?” can be found at The Mushroom, or the Louisiana Music Factory, or on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/thecitylife.

The single release party is Jan. 26 at Carrollton Station. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show is at 10 p.m. Admission is $7 and includes a free copy of the single and b-side.

Another local Loyola band, Fay Wray, is the opening act.

John Adams can be reached at [email protected].