Ra Ra Riot - Suspended In Gaffa | Shows

I am having an obsessive addiction to Ra Ra Riot's Kate Bush cover of "Suspended In Gaffa." I always loved the song like but when I downloaded their Daytrotter session last week, it seems like this song is all I want to listen to. First reaction? 100 times better than the original. This isn't the first Kate Bush cover, their popular "Hounds Of Love" cover is pretty fab as well, but for some reason every time I try and listen to some other artists, all I want to do is come back to "Gaffa." There's something about Wes' incredible falsettos and the oom-pah pah rhythm that makes me so happy. I've even resorted to writing emails just about the song.

In other Ra Ra Riot news, Pat and I will be driving down to Washington, D.C. to catch them and our other favorites, Jukebox The Ghost play at the Rock and Roll Hotel next next next Friday. And yes, I know that they are playing New York at Union Hall the next night, but why shouldn't I have a weekend full of two of my favorite bands? I'm sure Pat would like me to mention this was all my idea, but trust me—he's not complaining either. Tickets are still available for the Washington show (road trip!) but Union Hall is currently sold out. And even if you are going to both those shows, you should also make sure you take a trip to the John Pike Memorial Show featuring Vampire Weekend, Tokyo Police Club (and of course RRR) December 15 in Boston. More information on the show, or how to donate to the fund, can be found here.

And now, that tune that will make your Friday so much sweeter.

Ra Ra Riot - Suspended In Gaffa (via their Daytrotter Session)

White Rabbits | Highline Ballroom | July 9, 2007

Holy crap! White Rabbits are taking over the world. Not only were they superior last week at Highline Ballroom with Art Brut (pictures below), but they will be opening up Siren Fest this weekend....oh, after they play on David Letterman this Thursday. THAT'S RIGHT! I'm so excited I've already set up my DVR to tape it, but I know I'll be sitting in my jammies with a big grin on my face when it airs. Oh, and you must must check out their session on Daytrotter. The new songs are top-notch, I'm especially loving "Sea Of Rum."

Bah! I can't get enough.

The Changes on Daytrotter

Welcome to 2007.

I must say I had one of my better New Years eve celebrations last night. I usually hate the holiday and the planning that goes with it, but last night seemed to be nonstop fun. A nice way to ring in a new beginning, I'd say. Now if only I could remember what my resolutions were...

To aid with your massive hangover (I'm right there with you), you can listen to The Changes' live session on Daytrotter. I've gushed about this website before, so if you haven't had a chance to check it out, you can start here. Every week they bring in a new act for a four song live session, and for some reason they always have a certain special charm in the end.

The Changes are a brilliant live band, and this recording session captured a lot of their special nuances. I'm really digging this version of "When I Wake." It's a great arrangement. Here's what the boys say about it:

I’ve been told that this is our most catchy song. I think we’re all sick of it’s poppy-ness so here we’ve played it in a sexy, lazy Sunday morning way, with acoustic guitars and improvised piano. We didn’t think about this particular arrangement because we tend to over think things and then ruin them. Here we just went for it and the result is pure, unadulterated MAGIC.

The Changes - When I Wake (Daytrotter session)

Check out all the songs here.