Ravi Shavi
The wonderful rocking world of Ravi Shavi; photographed by Jeremy Van Eyk.
Ravi Shavi have been shaking some action sinece even before the Providence, RI band released their 2015 self-titled, and today we bring you a listen to their Independent EP available now from Almost Ready Records. Lead by Rafay Rashid, the group takes on the classic components of r & r in a way that entertains every DIY trick that creates an economy of catchy lo-fi cuts that could have been ripped from the C86 era, or something uncovered from the Captured Tracks/Omnian vaults. What Independent stands for is the statement that Ravi Shavi are here to stay, as collectively wet our whistles on what will ultimately tide us over until we receive the second Ravi Shavi record.
All the excitement bursts out the front gate with the summer fun-seeking song “Hot” that is reminiscent of running across the scalding sands of your favorite beach on a sun-scorching day in the dead of July. Choruses of “hallelujah” ring out everywhere as Ravi Shavi rips out a throwback rocker, keeping aspects of anguish still sort of twee-ish on the angular strumming “The Ruins”, bringing more modern wonders on the title track “Independent” (that sounds like it could have been at home as a no-wave throwback from a vintage Rough Trade catalog). That golden era-glow keeps on shining throw as songs like “Device” bring about your new favorite songs that you would hope would be played at all tomorrow’s proms & homecomings. As all good things must come to a close, the final number “Boys in Blue” provides something of a stripped down rendering of “Love is the Drug” that raises a toast to the Providence’s finest & more decked out in their authoritative blue garb. Needless to say; we cannot wait for the next Ravi Shavi chapter to begin.
The Medicine Hat are readying an album for later this fall, but first delivered us a listen to “New Survival” that delivers bright pop innuendos & intimation towards matters worth surviving for. “New Survival” points toward new starts, new days, new mornings, and new opportunities of epic greatness recorded/produced by Michael Keire at Threshold Studios. Nabi Sue Bersche remains firm & steadfast in the midst of the audio storms of winds & rains and all the obstacles imaginable that Nabi described further with the following insights:
“New Survival’ is a mantra. A hymn I’m singing to keep my fears at bay. It’s about struggle: trying to inhabit my city, my home, my body, my depression, my angst, my art. I wrote it in the midst of some changes in my physical and mental environment; changes I found difficult to navigate. It doesn’t resolve with any answers, but it does resolve with hope. A shaky, raw, unsure sort of hope. A new survival, if you will.
