Pepi Ginsberg Covers Ra Ra Riot

The production throughout Pepi Ginsberg's third LP Red, expertly handled by Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken, steeps her vocals in a form-fitting, vintage cast. This cover of Ra Ra's typically bittersweet "Oh, La," though, trades some of that dust for somewhat drier tones and more modern touches (buzzy bass and an undercurrent of guitar jabs, etc.), making for a simultaneous twist on both Pepi's direction and RRR's frame. Pepi enlisted support from the Spinto Band's Nicholas Krill, Jon Eaton, and Thomas Hughes (alongside Ginsberg regulars Jon Guez and Pete Angevine), which may explain the shift. It's a good grab if you're a Spinto fan, Riot lover, or just looking to gauge where Pepi could go next.

Pepi Ginsberg (Feat. The Spinto Band) - "Oh, La" (MP3)

This is how Ra Ra do "Oh, La" (live):

That's from the same Syracuse attic jam that gave us "Too Too Too Fast." Back to Pepi though, her third LP Red is out on Park The Van and is well worth checking. Like Frida Hyvönen, she's found a nice root in Dr. Dog's '60s-styled revisionism, and I'd like to see her explore it more. We've already spotlighted "Son" and "The Waterline," but here's one more throwback track from the record:

Pepi Ginsberg - "In My Bones" (MP3)

Pepi's starting a little tour this Halloween. The dates:

10/31 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
11/01 - Norfolk, VA @ The Boot
11/03 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
11/04 - Mt. Pleasant, SC @ Village Tavern
11/05 - Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder
11/07 - Houston, TX @ The Mink
11/08 - Austin, TX @ Waterloo Park (Fun Fun Fun Fest)
11/09 - Norman, OK @ Opolis
11/12 - Cleveland, OH @ The Spot
11/13 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Modern Foundations
11/14 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall

Posted at 2:47 PM by amrit in MP3
Tags: Pepi Ginsberg | Ra Ra Riot | The Spinto Band

8 Comments

this is freakin' sweet. i love her in this context + can't wait to hear more

Posted by: kate at 10/29/08 7:19 PM | Reply
Score = 1

She's got a nice rack. Her voice is pretty swell too.

Posted by: jenny at 10/29/08 8:03 PM | Reply
Score = 0

A beautiful lady and a beautiful voice! Like honey and bees in lavender fields of Provence! Oui Oui!

Posted by: MonsieurMousCous at 10/29/08 8:34 PM | Reply
Score = 1

Such a beautiful lady and a beautiful voice. Reminds me of the honey and bees buzzing around the lavender fields of Provence. Oui Oui!

Posted by: Monsieur Mous Cous at 10/29/08 8:37 PM | Reply
Score = 1

best rack and best voice in indie rock

I want to hear more more of this - yay modern Pepsi !

Posted by: dudly at 10/29/08 8:54 PM | Reply
Score = 1

sweet sweet sweet. and yes, best rack in rock~

Posted by: boobies at 10/30/08 9:23 AM | Reply
Score = 1

Pepi has a timeless voice. It sticks with you. She sounds like NY more than NY does these days...sometimes.

Posted by: David Lee Rothko at 10/30/08 12:24 PM | Reply
Score = 1

Wow I love this voice. And the mix with her right up front like that . . . very interesting

Rick Nash
blog.cagleandnash.com

Posted by: Rick Nash (Cagle & Nash) at 11/08/08 9:14 PM | Reply
Score = 0