Ra Ra Riot Does the Opposite for Vancity
story by : Tamara Lee photos by : Tamara Lee previously published : Uptown Sound
Contrary to what they call themselves, Ra Ra Riot manages to pass through Vancouver modestly and mostly unnoticed. Through no fault of their own, we completely underrated what was identified as “the best new young band” by Spin magazine two years ago, and this became our loss, not theirs.
It’s beyond me, how only a handful of a crowd attended the tiny show at Richards on Richards last Saturday, while the rest of the city was asleep at the wheel. Even those of us in attendance mostly put our heads down and didn’t respond when singer Miles asked ‘who has seen us before?’ Somehow, however, the crowd managed to fill the bar to brimming level with their enthusiasm, first timers or not.
And the band brought a huge level of energy to us also; each member feverishly zoned into their instruments and moving about on stage, interacting with their mates. This energy was especially impressive considering they have been on tour for months playing a show practically every other night, and had just rolled into town following a gig in Paris only nights before.
Even if they are under the radar in Vancouver, it’s still easy to see why Ra Ra Riot are exploding everywhere else. They were first discovered in 2006 on the campus of Syracuse University, and quickly caught on around NY, awarding them a gig and big publicity at the CMJ Music Festival. From there they quickly gained momentum, landing a spot on David Letterman, and spending the last two years out on the international circuit. They have toured with the likes of Tokyo Police Club, Vampire Weekend, and Los Campesinos!, and even have a small claim to fame in far regions of Iceland where they have appeared by special invite to the Iceland Airwaves Festival. Last year they were signed to independent label Barsuk records, which manages other favorites like Death Cab for Cutie.
But despite the Riot they are causing, you wouldn’t suspect this bunch of being so popular from just looking at them. From appearance, the six are just unassuming regular hippy types: early 20’s, hoodies, skinny jeans, kinda moody… Some of the guys resemble the nerdy intellectuals kids in the movie Dazed and Confused; and it’s their endearing geekiness that draws you in to want to know more. If you visited their website you would experience the same egoless vibe. While reading about daily road trip adventures, their fun blog has more of a facebook feeling then a label’s PR report.
And It is certainly this low-key modesty that makes their music so absolutely rich and worth Rioting about. Upon first listen (to any track, all equally as good), one is inevitably swept away by their fresh and full sound. It is easy to jump aboard the emotion, which may just steamroll you if resisted. In classic ‘wall of sound’ style, the music pulls you into the journey with them…it is no longer possible to just observe. At any point that the quick paced drums are not marching you forward, or the winding vocals take your hand around each corner, the cello and violin are creating curves and hills, laying the pathway beneath your feet…a strange sensation of floating along 
with them. All the while, each instrument reacts to each other statements, and a cohesive musical conversation takes place.
Their 1st album release The Rhumb Line will inevitable leave you craving more. With lyrics like “hold on, we’ve got a lot to learn from each other, we’ve got to stick together” and “oh-oh-oh your soaking wet dream”, this band forms mental pictures above the normal humdrum topic matter. Miles’ vocals have a compelling melancholic feel: slightly sad and wanting, and almost reminiscent of Robert Smith or Morrissey. It’s this similarity, along with occasional synth and interesting rhythms that almost put them into an 80’s revival category, but with a newer twist. They possibly also live within the same genre of Arcade Fire or Blonde Redhead.. but enough with the comparisons. Above all they have a unique musical perspective that comes from a genuine place. As I’ve said, they are modest….unassuming…. and they are not in any need to create a Ra Ra Riot, because it will only take one listen before we are sure to create one for them.
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