Daylight come Daylight go How far will it reach Ain’t nobody know LouFest begins today in St. Louis with local favorites Kentucky Knife Fight kicking things off on the BMI stage. From there, you’ll have plenty of choices like Ra Ra Riot, The National, Wilco, and the guy who we’re featuring today: Jim James of … Read more
Our LouFest 2013 preview coverage continues with a spotlight on Ra Ra Riot, a band who will playing the Forest Park Stage from 3:30 to 4:30 on Saturday (purchase tickets to the festival here). It’s true: folks (and freaks) wanna dance at outdoor music festivals, so a Ra Ra Riot set makes sense in the afternoon. … Read more
The video for the title track off Ra Ra Riot’s upcoming release is thick with nostalgia, featuring footage of ’80s teenagers grooving away unselfconsciously in a TV studio. “Beta Love”, the song, is similar: thick with synthesizers and falsetto vocals, it’s old school in its newness. Beta Love was one of our most anticipated first quarter … Read more
Inertia is real godammit. And sometimes, a teeny-tiny push forward can cause a sedentary stone to shed that layer of moss and become one of those mossless, rolling-stones we hear so much about. But sometimes, teeny-tiny pushes aren’t an option, like in the music world, where pretty much everyone you know has a friend, enemy, … Read more
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Ra Ra Riot. Their forthcoming album out 1/22, properly titled Beta Love, promises synthy pop proclamations of devotion we’ve come to expect from the quartet. One of these, “Angel, Please,” is an ode to a cherubic lover that’s loaded with undeniable verve and charm. Wes … Read more
New year, new music. And it’s coming, fast. Can you feel your pulse racing? All those albums that are about to impact your life. Because you know they will; they always do. 2013 will be no different. Here’s what our eyes and ears are on. January 8th Wooden Wand, Blood Oaths of the New Blues … Read more
Ruby Coast consists of three small town friends, Justice McLellan, Keith Bradford, and Corey Marshall, who are just a few Ontario residents who got together in 2006 to make music. The band’s sold out debut EP, Projectable Collections, was produced by Dave Monks of Tokyo Police Club, who fittingly took them throughout North America performing with … Read more
Chikita Violenta is a unique band with an intensely crafted sound that was once unheard of in their native Mexico, and even criticized due to the lack of Spanish lyrics. But despite the English naysayers, they’ve become one of Mexico’s biggest indie acts, praised simultaneously for their compelling songwriting and all-consuming live performances. Chikita will … Read more
A Heartfelt Letter to the Phat Bassline. By Matt Smith Dear Phat Bassline, First, I would like to start by apologizing to you. My beloved indie-rock brethren and I have ignored you for far too long. As our up and down dance moves illustrate so perfectly – we have forgotten your hip moment-inducing allure. Sure, … Read more