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Words by: Stephanie Jacoby | Images from www.rarariot.com
Ra Ra Riot :: 04.17.08 :: Lenny's Bar :: Atlanta, GA
Just prior to my graduation from Syracuse University, student startup band Ra Ra Riot had just hit it big on the scene, and not just at house parties near campus. The band also performed incredibly energetic live shows at big name local bars and even road tripped to play New York City. The band finished recording tracks for their debut LP release in December 2007 and have now embarked on a national tour with Los Angeles-based The Little Ones.
The sextet received a major setback, and ultimately a tragic loss, when its drummer John Pike died last year. The band has carried on touring and performing with new drummer Cameron Wisch, a young, vibrant addition to the group recruited straight out of high school. Wisch helps generate the electrifying experience that Ra Ra Riot offers its listeners with a series of fast-paced beats, complimented by the electric cello and violin of classically trained bandmates Alexandra Lawn and Rebecca Zeller, respectively.
Though I must admit I am only used to seeing this band play to a packed house with people jumping so hard that the floor is damn near close to caving in, it just goes to show how a successful college band must go through the motions, spending quite a bit of time on the road, to generate interest in their music. After two successful bouts at SXSW in Austin, Texas, as well as a national and UK tour opening with the Editors, Ra Ra Riot is starting to finally see their efforts pay off.
Ra Ra Riot by Jordan Swartz
With a mid-sized crowd in tow this evening, I couldn't help but feel like many Atlantans were missing out on something special. The music, likened to Arcade Fire, among others, is like a gorgeous symphony of upbeat lullabies, followed by a swift kick in the pants to get you moving and dancing all night.
The band opened with their EP cuts "Each Year" and "Can You Tell," which starts off as a slow tune but eventually eases into a chorus buildup that expresses the raw, emotional sentiment, "I think about you nightly/ Oh can you tell I'm losing sleep," as the bass kicks in full force alongside lead singer Wesley Miles' powerful vocals.
As they geared up to play "A Matter To Act," it almost seemed like they were in a rush to end the set. The group spastically hurried through the delicate lyrics, but the song remained catchy nonetheless. The sounds emitted from Lawn and Zeller's instruments, coupled with Wisch's reliable beat kept heads bobbing until the last note fell to the floor.
The band's signature song, "Dying Is Fine," played near the end of the set, showcased Ra Ra Riot's intricate string arrangements as well as its guitar, drum and bass trio. The tune's staccato chorus featured guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Mathieu Santos' sequentially cheerful chords, while the violin and cello bows moved fervently up and down in perfect time. Though I would have liked to have seen the band collectively improvise for a few minutes instead of the abrupt ending they chose, it was a pleasure to revisit the exquisite display of indie rock genius that Ra Ra Riot consistently delivers.
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