Signing is Fine: Ra Ra Riot joins Barsuk, preps LP

Ra Ra Riot is one of the coolest exports from a city known for lake-effect snow, salt mines and an overdose on the color orange. And as of last week, the Syracuse, N.Y.-based band solidified its place on the map by signing with Barsuk Records, which has released music from Rilo Kiley, Nada Surf, Mates of State and many more in its history.

The guys and gals of Ra Ra Riot have spent the past couple years touring their hearts out and cultivating infectious indie-pop marked by string undercurrents and dance-worthy drumbeats. The group (that happens to be chummy with breakout band Vampire Weekend) spent the latter part of 2007 recording its first LP, The Rhumb Line. The band had suffered a major loss earlier that year when faced with the sudden death of drummer and friend John Pike in June before the release of its self-titled EP. The group kept making music, but has continually memorialized the beloved bandmate.

The Rhumb Line was produced by Ryan Hadlock (The Gossip, The Strokes, Modest Mouse) and is due for release August 19.

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