Oh, Canada. You are like a magicians hat, but instead of white rabbits you make wonderful bands appear! The latest to hop from the magical brim above the States and into my iTunes? The Rural Alberta Advantage. This three piece from Ontario has the beating heart of folk, like a floor tom fighting against a keyboard on a guitar string stage, pumping out stories of "hometowns and heartbreak." Nils Edenloff's vocals calmly walk the line between singing his heart out and at times yelling his throat out, which only brings the sincerity of the lyrics out all the more (also at times: at bit reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel, like on the song "Frank AB").

The RAA's first full length Hometowns was just rereleased by Saddle Creek Records. The energy on this record makes it suprisingly danceable for a band with "rural" in their name, and definitely good for a chill day with tracks like "The Air," which mixes piano plinking soft guitar behind subtle harmonies.

If you're on the west coast, hit up one of these shows as they head south (then back to Canadia) this July to support their rerelease!

07/06 Seattle, Sunset Tavern
07/07 Portland, Backspace
07/09 San Francisco, The Bottom of the Hill
07/10 Los Angeles, The Echo
07/11 Phoenix, Modified
07/13 Salt Lake City, Kilby Court
07/14 Denver, Hi-Dive
07/15 Omaha, Slowdown (Front Room)
07/25-26 Guelph, Hillside Festival
08/08 Wolfe Island, Wolfe Island Musicfest
08/24 Chicago, Pritzker Pavilion

Frank, AB
The Air

Labels: canadia, Folk, Rural Alberta Advantage