All posts in: Ra ra Riot

14 Nov 2013

Song of the Day

spotify:track:5QQo9XiFaV8ijHRrauInRI

Ra Ra Riot – Keep It Quiet

I’ve been at work the past couple of nights a little later than usual and JUST discovered this song today on my Spotify playlist. It’s the perfect song to listen to as things wind down. Is it the equivalent of an adult lullaby? Maybe. It’s mine.

03 Sep 2013

Bumbershoot Recap 2013

Before I get into writing this post, I need to extend a huge thank you to the press team over at One Reel. I’ve been attending Bumbershoot for the last 6 years and for the first time ever, One Reel gave me the opportunity to obtain a press pass for Yow Yow! as its own publication. Not only is this a milestone for us, but it means so much to me to be able to partner with a music festival that I have grown up with and that has consistently been the highlight in my summer. Having been a part of the Seattle music industry, I have so much appreciation for every person that is responsible for making this festival happen. No one understands the work that you do, how much you sacrifice, or even the impact that you leave on those attending. Thank you for all that you do – every single one of ya!

photo cred | Lavid Photos

The Flavr Blue

This was my second time seeing The Flavr Blue this summer and as always I am impressed with their set each time. The band took the stage on Saturday morning kicking off the festival at 11:45 AM. Early! But so worth it. And from the looks of it, there was a whole crowd of people that didn’t mind getting their Bumbershoot on that early in the morning. The group stirred up a rowdy crowd of hippie dancers that went absolutely HAM over their music. Who knew, right? Everyone else bobbed along to their tracks and occasionally professed their love for Hollis. The Flavr Blue is a band that I couldn’t be more excited about this year in Seattle. Hollis has truly made a name for herself within the Seattle music community, but is such a humbled individual that continues to pour herself into every single one of her projects. The Flavr Blue is not going anywhere anytime soon and with new music on its way, they are sure to become a household name.

Dave B

Dave B was an artist that our contributor Cameron Deuel covered prior to Bumbershoot and while he wasn’t initially on my lineup schedule, I decided to check him out anyways. On more than one occasion, myself and the friend I was with as well as the group of boys next to us kept wondering about the print on his shirt. Pizza? Sushi? Chicken and Waffles? We settled on that last answer. Dave B was eccentric, in your face, and vivacious. Has anyone ever used those three words together to describe an act? I couldn’t have enjoyed him more! In previous years, I always come prepared to Bumbershoot with my handy dandy schedule making sure to never miss an act I plan on seeing, but on this Saturday – everything was kind of up in the air. It’s nice not to have an agenda sometimes. Dave B was a crowd pumper upper and made such an impression on me that I’m already putting it on my to-do list to look him up on Spotify.

photo cred | Lavid Photos

Nacho Picasso

You’d have to be a fool to miss out on an act named Nacho Picasso. I was so curious by his name that I had to stop by his set. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that it just wasn’t my style. He’s a little bit inaprops than I expected, but what rapper isn’t it these days? Do you Nacho.

Kendrick Lamar 1

photo cred | Morgan Keuler

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick knows how to get the Key Arena LOUD. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard an audience be more excited for an artist in the Key until he came along. Kendrick is an artist that I was very close to working with in the past and it is amazing how quickly he has blown up and all of the collaborations he has gained with Robin Thicke and my favorite Mayer Hawthorne. There is no doubting Kendrick’s success in the hip hop industry and that entire crowd in the Key knows it. I’m expecting a long career from him.

photo cred | Lavid Photos

Beat Connection

I can’t deny it…I’m not trying to hide it – I’ve got a huge crush on Beat Connection. While Kendrick Lamar was throwing down a very intense show, Beat Connection was minutes away from starting their set on the TuneIn stage. I had to choose. And I chose Beat Connection. I’ve seen them a couple of times, but I’ve always got so much Seattle pride for my bands and having listened to their latest album a lot more recently, I was really excited to see what they would be bringing to the table with their set. It was such a feel-good performance – the kind that epitomizes what Bumbershoot stands for and that is getting out of the dark, scary, expensive beer-ridden Key Arena and being out in the sun! Over the last couple of years, Beat Connection has gone through a bit of a sound transition, but also a member transition and through all that – they’ve still managed to survive. As newly college graduates, I’m excited to see how they will continue to pursue their music more aggressively now that they can focus on it more.

The Physics

I have to say that there is really nothing like being able to watch a band that you have previously worked with performing on a stage to hundreds at a major music festival. The Physics are one of the nicest groups that I have ever worked with – so kind, genuine, and so very talented. The Seattle music scene is HOT right now and what I love about Bumbershoot is that the festival is always doing their best to highlight these acts on the rise and supporting our local artists. The Physics combine intricate rhymes with a very soulful edge which I find to be pretty refreshing as there’s not always enough of that in the hip hop industry.

Day 2 –

I commend anyone that can make it through an entire Bumbershoot weekend like our contributing writer Cameron Deuel because lemme tell you – that is a task. For the past couple of years, I have done the whole weekend and I usually end up with a nasty flu afterwards because by the end of it I’m burnt out and exhausted. While Monday’s lineup was packed with talent, I had to make an adult decision for my health and decided to do a full day on Saturday and an evening on Sunday to catch Ra Ra Riot and Death Cab For Cutie.

Ra Ra Riot

Once upon a time, I had an opportunity to work with Ra Ra Riot and I clearly made a huge mistake on not moving forward with that decision because they totally killed it on the main stage at Bumbershoot. Attendees were swaying, singing, dancing AND spinning along to their music and it was a positive kick off to the highly-anticipated set by Death Cab For Cutie. Another thing that I appreciate about Ra Ra Riot is that they are simply “good peeps.” Too often, I’ve seen bands and artists treat their fans not so nicely, but the highlight for me that stood out during their set was when the lead singer jumped down to the floor and gave the entire front row high-fives! YEAH! We love stuff like that. Ra Ra Riot’s albums have continued to get even better as time progresses and while I’ve never spoken directly to the band, I whole-heartedly believe that bands that treat their fans with respect will go very far. Keep doing your thang’ Ra Ra, it’s already starting to pay off.

DCFC 3

photo cred | Morgan Keuler

Readers, I’ve been thinking about this performance all weekend long. The last time I saw Death Cab For Cutie was two years ago for Deck the Hall Ball, but even before that, I had the chance to see Death Cab at Bumbershoot with my best friend. We had worked our way up to the very front so that we could be strategically placed in front of Ben Gibbard and even survived a set by Superchunk to do so. It was brutal – so brutal in fact that I couldn’t stand being continued to get sprayed in the face with a hose that the both of us had to crowd surf our way out of there and watch Death Cab on the turf of Memorial Stadium and not in the pit. All that for nothing! What I’m trying to say with this story is that seeing Death Cab is an experience regardless of where you’re sitting (or standing.) I’m not sure if it’s because we have so much hometown love for the band or what, but there is definitely an air of sentimental value for the band from everyone. That night’s performance was a special one as the band promised to perform through their entire Transatlanticism album, which was AMAZING. And with time to spare, Ben let us know that they were now beginning the “second part of the program” which included the following songs:

“I Will Possess Your Heart”
“Photobooth”
“I am a Tourist”
“Cath”
“Soul Meets Body”
“405”
“A Movie Script Ending”
“Crooked Teeth”

I don’t think I could ever get tired of seeing this band. It’s been ten years since they released Transatlancticism and it’s true – they really haven’t changed. They keep it real and there’s nothing more you could really ask for from a band like that. Also, was anyone else brought to tears by their performance of Transatlanticism? I know it couldn’t just be me and the guy next to me.

12 Apr 2013

Song of the Day

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/4173576″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ra Ra Riot – Boy [RAC Remix]

Happy Friday lovelies!

29 Mar 2013

Song of the Day

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/74148151″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ra Ra Riot – Is It Too Much

09 Jun 2010

Do You Want To Come and Go

Someday, I hope my future job provides me with happiness, freedom, flexibility, wealth (a girl’s gotta live) and special perks like attending THIS awesome festival.

Last summer, I had the chance to travel to southern California to visit friends and family. I also stopped by Santa Monica for the first time and fell in love. I am in love with the enormous Forever 21, the shops, the food, the pier, the character, and the musicians on 3rd Street Promenade.

If you are living near the Santa Monica area, please stop by the PacSun Ballyhoo Festival because I am unable to attend. It is from June 19-20 on the north pier of Santa Monica.
Bands include: B.o.B, Circa Survive, Matt & Kim, Minus the Bear, Hey Champ, Ra Ra Riot, and many more. Basically it sounds like a huge beach festival with an outdoor concert and free giveaways. I can’t think of a better way to spend my weekend.

Pretty sure the next best thing about this festival is that it’s completely free! All you have to do is pick up a ticket at one of the listed participating Pac Sun stores…and we all know there’s a lot.

To view all the information larger, click the picture or click here

20 May 2010

Out on the Town: 5/21

Sorry this is so small – you get the jist. Quadstock is over and the University of Washington is the last school to finally host their music festivities. This year, their special guest is Common along with James Pants and Kore lonz. Really though, it’s basically Common. That will probably be an incredible show so mainstreamers of UW celebrate! I’m not exactly sure if non-students can go, but the school is so big they probably won’t even know. Don’t take my word for it though. Last year they brought Built to Spill and Ra Ra Riot. Two years ago, UW featured an all-star lineup of Seattle locals including Blue Scholars, and my favorites Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Minus the Bear. It was an amazing show. I’m really glad that I made the trip to go see them because it was totally worth it. The best part? It’s completely free. When I went two years ago, I got in just fine, but I’m not too sure if they are still doing things the same way.

Source

28 Mar 2010

Tegan and Sara produce new album w/ one song

If you’ve ever listened to the song “Alligator” by Tegan and Sara you would know that it is a damn good song. In fact, it’s so good that Tegan and Sara have decided to release a new album with that song remixed 17 times. What’s going to make this CD worthy of purchasing? Remixes will be done by none other than, Passion Pit, Holy Fuck, and Ra Ra Riot just to name a few. The exclusive album will be released through iTunes on March 30th. Tegan and Sara will be opening for Paramore this summer on the Honda Civic Tour.

Source

26 May 2009

Free UW HUB concert on the Lawn

I could’ve sworn I did this post this morning.

Built to Spill and Ra Ra Riot will be performing. The concert will run from 3-7 PM and it is absolutely free.

Built to Spill sounds like Death Cab and Ra Ra Riot reminds me of The Kooks.

If you’re not from UW and you don’t care for those bands you may not want to make the trip but if you’re already at UW you might as well!

The lineup isn’t as good as last years, (Blue Scholars, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Minus The Bear) but I am awfully fond of my Seattle bands!

In comparison, I think Seattle University’s Quadstock with headliner Talib Kweli totally owns UW this year.