I am beyond excited for two records that came out today. The first being the follow up to Ra Ra Riot's amazing debut release, The Rhumb Line. The Orchard has been highly anticipated by many music lovers and I can very happily say that it is beautiful and I absolutely love it. Stream it over at SPINNER here. The band is playing a record release party tonight in Williamsburg at Brooklyn Bowl. Members of Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend will be teaming up to show off of their DJ skills. Maybe we can hope for a live Discovery set? Who knows! Definitely check out the band's myspace for a complete list of tour dates, some with my new loves, The Givers who were highlighted this week on Stereogum as a "Band To Watch." Special thanks to the ultra innovative and always fantastic Barsuk Records for supporting and releasing this delightful band.
The second record that I am really excited about is definitely going to be one of my favorite records of 2010. (Yes, we are already in August and starting to think about end of the year lists...). Dead Confederate are a rusty/raw -- dangerous band out of Augusta, Georgia. Like any proper Southern band they wreck your eardrums with hot, dusty, bittersweet guitar rifts. With their new record, Sugar, the band departs from their rustic dark caves of sound and and take a route that reminds me of Silversun Pickups and old-school (aka: GOOD) Smashing Pumpkins. The overall effect is a lighter more experimental record that will appeal to people's old school grunge tendencies as well as the love for a good pop song with digestible lyrics. This band has always been good. This is no secret. With this record I hope they get the attention they so dearly deserve. Heading out on a North American tour they will be sharing the stage with one of my ABSOLUTE favorite bands of the year, Futurebirds. Do yourself a huge favor and check out thisband. They are ridiculously talented, delightfully fun and disastrously addictive. Overall, going out to see these two bands in one night will prove to be more fun than you can handle without bringing friends along and perhaps taking home a vinyl or two.
You can also steam Sugar over at SPINNER or purchase it from iTunes (with an exclusive download tossed into the mix), I know it is unheard of to BUY records but you should and especially anything released on Old Flame, Dead Confederate's loving home.
The first time I saw Ra Ra Riot I was in Seattle with my friend Kerri. I had jumped at the opportunity to travel to the city I had always dreamed I would end up someday and when she found out the band was playing a show nearby we procured tickets and showed up early.
Their songwriting is not complex. Like any good pop singer, frontman Wes Miles is easy to understand with his crisp clear delivery and a sincere presence that makes you like the band instantly. The band started off with golden promise first appearing at SXSW in spring of 2007 and haven't looked back since. They have overcome the loss of a bandmate and beloved friend, John Ryan Pike and poured their sadness and love into their tour and each other. Seeing them live is enjoying one cohesive movement of joy.
When I heard news of their upcoming record, Orchard due out next week on August 24th via Barsuk Records I excited at what the first single would sound like. "Boy" slowly sparked up on the blogs along with a beautiful EPK full of summer and sunshine as their tour dates were announced with Louisana's Givers.
The video for "Boy" appears to have debuted on MTV and the band definitely looks like it is trying to gain that audience with their whole aesthetic. Whatever helps them sell tickets and continue to write good music works for me.
****Ra Ra Riot Tour Dates*** AUGUST: 8/24--Stripped Down In-Store Session @ Sound Fix Records--Brooklyn, NY 8/24--Record Release Party @ Brooklyn Bowl--Brooklyn, NY 8/27--Funk 'n Waffles--Syracuse, NY 8/28--Molson Canadian Amphitheater w/ Tegan & Sara & City and Colour--Toronto, Ontario SEPTEMBER 9/5--Bumbershoot Festival @ The Seattle Center--Seattle, WA 9/9--Northwest MusicFest--Portland, OR 9/12--End of the Road Festival @ Larmer Tree Gardens--Salisbury, Wilts, UNITED KINGDOM 9/18--The Cracker Factory--Geneva, NY 9/21--Bowery Ballroom--New York, NY 9/22--Bowery Ballroom w/ Lower Dens--New York, NY 9/23--Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ North Highlands and We Barbarians--Brooklyn, NY 9/24--Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Anamanaguchi--Brooklyn, NY 9/27--Pearl Street--Northampton, MA 9/28--Toad's Place--New Haven, CT 9/29--The Met--Providence, RI OCTOBER 10/1--Royale--Boston, MA 10/2--Trocadero--Philadelphia, PA 10/3--Diesel--Pittsburg, PA 10/4-Blind Pig--Ann Arbor, Michigan 10/5--Metro--Chicago, IL 10/7--Varsity Theatre--Minneapolis, MN 10/8--Waiting Room--Omaha, Nebraska 10/9--The Granada Theatre--Lawrence, KS 10/11--Bluebird Theatre--Denver, CO 10/12--In The Venue--Salt Lake City, UT 10/13--Crystal Bay Club--Crystal Bay, Nevada 10/17--Treasure Island Festival--San Francisco, CA 10/19--Glass House--Pomona, CA 10/20--The Music Box--Los Angeles, CA 10/21--Belly Up Tavern--Solana Beach, CA 10/22--The Clubhouse--Tempe, AZ 10/24--White Rabbit--San Antonio, TX 10/26--Emo's--Austin, TX 10/27--Warehouse Live--Houston, TX 10/28--Granada Theatre--Dallas, TX 10/29--Rev Room--Little Rock, AR 10/30--EXIT/IN--Nashville, TN NOVEMBER 11/1--WorkPlay Theatre--Birmingham, AL 11/2--Masquerade--Atlanta, GA 11/3--Orange Peel--Asheville, NC 11/4--Cat's Cradle--Carrboro, NC 11/5--9:30 Club--Washington, DC CANADIAN TOUR (All Dates with Wintersleep) 11/13--The Commodore--Vancouver 11/17--MacEwan Hall--Calgary 11/19--Louis' Pub--Saskatoon 11/20--The Garrick Centre--Winnipeg
Head over to NPR to hear The Orchard in full right now.
First and foremost every good music listener has someone that they share everything with because loving something as much as i love music is never truly complete unless you share it with those who are always there for you. Most of my past music education over the few years has stemmed from Eric's knowledge of The Grateful Dead, The Band, Antony and the Johnsons, Bonnie Prince Billy and many more and this year I was finally able to give a little bit back. Along with his top picks he listed his top 11 shows of the year as well. Since we spent most of the year collectively ohhhh'ing and ahhhhh'ing over Bon Iver we once mentioned in passing conversation how we felt bad for poor Emma. As the rest of the world was delighting over sickening love songs by Mr. Emma, she was out there knowing all of this was written about her. And so, Emma this is for you. Here's to a happy and healthy 2009!!!
*****************Top Ten Albums of 2008 for Mr. Eric*****************
We have felt lost since the death of our friend and band mate, John. There will always be unanswered questions, so we can only surrender to life, and move forward without fully understanding. In our distress we feel lucky for having been so close to him, and we're thankful for the guidance that memories of him will give us. All of us in the band are enthusiastic and determined to live out the plans we laid together with John. As we continue, the pain of missing a dear friend will remind us how much we loved him. Coinciding with the wishes of John's family, we have decided to continue onward. We are thankful for the continuous support from friends, family and the music community during this difficult time. We find comfort in this solidarity, and hope that it gives us strength. Ra Ra Riot Each Year.mp3 Can You Tell.mp3
Nothing is as exciting as seeing the festival scene taking off across the globe. I just discovered OYA Festival while reading Audience Magazine and am shocked not to have heard about it before. The lineup for this year is already highly impressive and I am sure will continue to grow as the months creep closer. So far: Amulet, Amy Winehouse, BigBang, Bonde Do Role, CocoRosie, Gogol Bordello, The Hold Steady, Ida Marina, Justice, Lady Sovereign, Malajube, Matt and Kim, New Young Pony Club, Primal Scream, TTC and many more. The festival takes place for four days from the 7th-11th of August in a Medieval Park that is transformed into an arena for the performances. Apparently they have teamed up with Oh My Rockness and put together a showcase down at SXSW with The Lionheard Brothers, New Violators, Datarock, The Ponys, Ra Ra Riot, and Cloud Cult. Definitely sounds like a very promising new collaboration! Also, did i mention that this festival is a GREEN EVENT! Rock out!
