A catchy Indie Pop storm was brewing around Syracuse University in 2006 — and that storm turned out to be Ra Ra Riot. Since those academic beginnings, the Indie rockers have gone on to release three full-length albums, culminating with 2013′s Beta Love (via Barsuk Records). And now, in support of their new record, the frenetic foursome will be setting off across the States with not one, but two legendary Indie bands: The Shins and The Postal Service, who Ra Ra Riot will be joining for part of the Give Up tenth anniversary tour.
This epic Spring/Summer tour will take Ra Ra Riot across North America, and each stop is sure to be a packed event, so make sure to grab your tickets fast. But that’s not all: The Lighthouse and the Whaler, Speak, and a smattering of other raucous live acts will be performing with Ra Ra Riot during their extensive summer schedule. Consider your Indie concert calendar officially booked.
To catch you up to speed on the new record, Beta Love is the first recording for the group as a four-piece – Wes Miles on vocals, Milo Bonacci on guitar, Mathieu Santos on bass, and Rebecca Zeller on violin — and it’s a dynamic aural adventure. Equally melodic as it is infectious, epic as it is dance-inducing, Beta Love can be the soundtrack to your next dance party or just as easily, your leisurely weekend drive. The band stated that the new album’s songs were informed by cyberpunk novelist William Gibson and futurist Ray Kurzweil, and it makes sense, as Beta Love shows the band heading towards a more Synthpop, futuristic sound.
If you already have a copy of the new record and are looking for more Ra Ra Riot music, you’re in luck: the group is releasing Binary Mind as a special Record Store Day 10-inch vinyl. The special release includes both the title track as well as the unreleased song “All I Fear,” and for you die-hard B-side lovers, demo versions of “Binary Mind,” “Wilderness” and “I Shut Off,” all from the Beta Love sessions. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the vinyl though, as the release is limited to 1,000 copies.
But wait, there’s more. The group will also be playing the Boston Calling Music Festival, sharing the stage with acts like The National, Of Monsters and Men, Matt & Kim, and more. Check out Ra Ra Riot‘s full tour schedule after the jump.
Record Store Day 2013 is quickly approaching. Originally started in 2007, RSD has not only become one of the most important days in the year for physical retail, but it also gives us a chance to reflect upon and celebrate the joy of the indie record store.
Growing up in Suburbia, USA, I had little concept of what an independent record shop was. Tuesdays involved trips to the mall to buy the latest new releases at Sam Goody or Wee Three Records. It wasn’t until I started going to Philadelphia as a teenager that I was first introduced to independent record shops and all that they had to offer. My first indie record shop experience was at Noise Pollution, just off South Street. I was awed by the selection of out-of-print vinyl singles of my favourite band and many others, and I spent many an hour and dollar there over the years. Wall to Wall Listening Booth this was not.
As a university student, independent record shops became a huge part of my life, and one was spoiled for choice in ‘90’s Philadelphia. Each shop had its own temperament, flavour and memorable characters within, from the cute guy who made me blush to the dodgy one who would sticker and sell promos.
I spent many evenings after class with friends flipping through racks of used CDs trying to find a bargain and just generally hanging out with the shop owners, playing each week’s new releases and discovering so much great music. Social media today allows us to share our music with friends and have them share music with us, algorithms introduce us to music we like in new and exciting ways — but the world of the indie record shop is social sans media. I spoke to new people and made friends amongst the CD racks, and some albums will always carry with them a gentle memory of someone that I used to know.
While in university and for several years later, I declined to buy music anywhere except at one of my favourite indie shops. As with many others though, as online shopping became possible and downloads and streaming came into being, my loyalty gave way to convenience (and the explosion of choice and availability). Many of my beloved Philly record shops no longer exist, and it’s been a tough ride for any retailer to survive, let alone a quirky independent.
Record Store Day celebrates a world that still exists, but is not as prevalent in the lives of many music fans as it once was. I, for one, hope that we never lose it completely. So this April 20, how about tearing your eyes from whatever size screen you are glued to, and allow yourself to linger in a world of cover art, gatefolds and special editions, finding things through serendipity not algorithms, and join me at your local indie.
Not only will there be exclusive releases and performances from some of your favourite artists, but also like-minded people. Tell the person behind the counter your favourite band. They just may have a new band for you. Maybe they‘ll even be cute enough to make you blush.
The 2012 NARM Convention was a huge success this year for The Orchard in terms of business closed, deals announced and goodwill spread — and the Physical Team was no exception.
In addition to meeting with top accounts, from Amazon, Transworld, AEC, Hastings and Super D to the all-important indie stores and their coalitions (including Spencer Hickman, the manager of the soon-to-be open Rough Trade Megastore in Brooklyn), the team found time to “socialize” with these same accounts as well as some of our label personalities like Michael Nobrega from Volcom and Curtis Casella from Taang! Records.
On Wednesday night, the Physical Team attended the Dodgers/Giants baseball game (where for some reason they still rooted for the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies anyway), then we headed back to the Hyatt Regency lobby to find more old friends like Liz, Andrea and Reg from CIMS and Luann Myers from AIMS. Our favorite car music at NARM this year? A tie between the new albums by The Shrine and Kadavar (two great driving albums on Tee Pee!).
Another exciting win for the team last week: The Orchard announced the acquisition of Iris Distribution!
Check out the pics of what went down at our high-level meetings with NARM veterans such as Mark Hudson from Transworld, Record Store Day co-founder Carrie Colliton, and Larry Mansdorf and Carl Mello from Newbury Comics. There was some steak-eating, refereeing, bullying and cheering… You’ll wish you were there.
Last Saturday was Record Store Day, the one day in the year reserved to shine a spotlight on records and record stores across the country.
It was a very successful one, too! The Black Angels 7″ that we’ve been raving about did mighty well at Waterloo Records, who reported that it made #4 on the best-selling 45RPMs and The Raveonettes EP that was just released was #4 best-selling CD. Zia Records had the pleasure of hosting our very own Vintage Trouble at their store in Las Vegas. They had a great turnout and took some pretty rad photos, which you just have check out here. Other Music hosted Suckers as they spun some tunes in the totally packed store. Check out the pics on Brooklyn Vegan!
Of course, as eager Orchard-ites, we were present everywhere we could be. We couldn’t make it to all of our bands’ performances in stores all around the country (Vintage Trouble, Rhett Miller, RACES, Mates of State and Suckers), but we do have some accounts of what we did see:
The lovely Allison Ullrich — who took a whole bunch of great photos, including the one accompanying this post — went store hopping in NYC and even wrote a blog post about it for Purple Revolver. In it, she shares her experience with mad RSD lines, impromptu fights and friendly record buyers post mayhem.
One of our Interactive Marketing Managers Tonia Samman went to see Mates of State at Brooklyn’s Soundfix and had this to say about it: ”Brooklyn’s Soundfix was at capacity and overflowing with Mates of State fans at 7:30AM when the band’s performance began, and most of them stuck around throughout the set just to listen and catch glimpses of Jason and Kori in the windows. Rounded out by a guitarist and second keyboard player (who also doubled on trumpet), Mates of State sounded as tight as ever as they ran through hits from 2011’s Mountaintops including “Palomino” and “Maracas,” and highlights from 2009’s Re-arrange Us like “My Only Offer” and the album’s title track. They also did an inspired cover of “The Weight” in honor of the late Levon Helm.”
I’m sorry, what was that? Did you just ask what I was doing this weekend? Well, I’m going to my local Record Store, obvi!
T’is true, friends. This Saturday — tomorrow — is Record Store Day 2012, and that means you can celebrate music in its oldest and most tangible form: vinyl. [And well, you can buy CDs too, we won't object!]
While you can find a slew of great records, keep an eye out for the exclusive Record Store Day release of The Black Angels‘ “Watch Out Boy, I’d Rather Be Lonely” on 7″ ORANGE vinyl. You can also check out the full list of records available and all participating stores on the official Record Store Day website.
The other totally AWESOME thing about Record Store Day are the performances!!! And we’ve got a handful of great ones lined up to entertain your nostalgic ears at stores around the country:
