Spotlight On #2: Ra Ra Riot

Syracuse, NY based band Ra Ra Riot had a topsy-turvy 2007 emerging as one of the best new American indie acts of the year, but only to be set back monumentally with the tragic death of their drummer during the summer.

Starting the year by securing a distribution deal for their self-titled EP with the Rebel Distribution Group and following a stint of touring they reached the highlight of their year by playing at the SXSW festival in Texas. Sadly, in June their story took a turn for the worst when drummer John Ryan Pike disappeared after a show in Hamilton, MA only for his body to be found washed up at a bay less than a week later. As they mourned the band considered their future, eventually deciding to unite in the moment of sadness and continue progressing as a unit, taking on Cameron Wisch as their new drummer.

But as the band took a backseat whilst grieving the loss of a bandmate and friend, progress slowed and only now have the band signed a record deal with Seattle based label Barsuk. Their debut album The Rhumb Line, was released today in the states, V2 are handling the European release due for September 22nd.

One could easily liken them to Vampire Weekend and The Spinto Band, but they’re a bit more interesting than both. They’re much rawer than Vampire Weekend and have more substance than The Spinto Band. They’re not doing anything ground-breaking, but they’re certainly an exciting prospect nonetheless. It’s the strings of the violin and double bass that really shine through with these guys forming some beautiful and catchy melodies.

Known for their frantic live performances, Ra Ra Riot have lined up a trio of London dates between August 26th and 28th before heading off to Electric Picnic in Ireland and rounding everything off with an extensive North American tour to support the release of The Rhumb Line. Lets hope they’ll come back for a better spread of UK dates not too long after that.

Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine Video

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