Interview with Ra Ra Riot

INTERVIEW

April 3, 2009


 

Ra Ra Riot, a six person band from Syracuse, is known for their vivacious live performances, Vampire Weekend comparisons, and instrumental prowess. Their debut album, The Rhumb Line, was released in August of 2008 to raving reviews.  Having finished a European tour with Vampire Weekend and Los Campesinos in November, the band is currently touring North America with Death Cab for Cutie and Cold War Kids.  But enough of the boring music stuff. Let's talk about food! Violinist and amateur chef for the band, Rebecca Zeller, answered some questions for us about the difficulties of making a unanimous dinner decision with a group of six, her favorite kind of Doritos, and Ra Ra Riot's very specific, gourmet rider... 

 

 

With a six person band, is it hard to agree on a place to eat on the road?  Who usually makes these decisions?


YES!  It's extremely difficult to agree on a place to eat.  For the most part there's a divide between the girls and the boys.  Allie and I are usually, if not always, in the mood for something healthier and the boys, with their fast metabolisms, are usually just up for something tasty

 

What is your favorite kind of pre-bagged snack to have with you on the road?

 

Depends what sort of mood I'm in.  If I'm on a health kick I'll opt for pre-packaged veggies (celery/carrots) and hummus); if I'm not really in the mood to care I do love Robert's Smart Puffs.  It really depends what stores we have access to and what selections they provide.

 

If you stop at a 7-11 (or maybe even just a gas station deli) and can only buy three things, what will they be?

 

Haha. Can only buy three things or HAVE to buy three things?  I usually browse the isles praying that they have yogurt, which in the States they usually don't.  If I'm desperate for food I'd go for Cheddar Cheese Chex Mix, Nature's Valley Honey and Oat Granola Bar, and a large water.

 

We hear you (Becca) are quite the chef.  What is your signature dish?

 

I'm not sure I have a signature dish, I love to play around and try out new recipes pretty frequently.  Some favorite things that I love to make are: Butternut Squash soup, Tomato Soup, Roasted Herbed Chicken, Goat Cheese/Spanish Onion Dip, Mac and Cheese,  Burritos (breakfast and regular).  In college my signature late night dish was a brie, mushroom, parsley, sage rosemary and thyme quesadilla.  A bit untraditional, but delicious!  I also love to bake.  Over break I made scones, fresh jam, fresh clotted cream, white chocolate and cranberry cookies (those are my signature cookies), sticky toffee pudding, lemon squares, and lots of other stuff.

 

Also for Becca: Do you go through cooking-withdrawl while on the road for an extended period?

 

Yeah, completely.  I'm also a bit of a control freak so being on the road you have little to no control as to what goes into the food you're eating, this is if you want a hot meal.

 

What is on Ra Ra Riot's rider in terms of food and drink?

 

After two years on the road we've wised up as to how to get what you want.  We started out requesting a selection of meats and cheese but after being served processed meats and crap cheese for two years we switched it up.  We now have very specific requests. 

 

Drinks: 

Good quality red wine OR single malt scotch or champagne

Water

Vitamin Water

Sparkling Water/Seltzer

Orangina

Diet Root Bear

Assortment of Tea (preferably peppermint and green)

 

Food:

Fresh Deli Meats (Prosciutto, all-natural turkey, salami, ham, capicola)

Dijon Mustard

Bakery fresh whole wheat bread

Dark Chocolate

Assorted Cheeses (Manchego, brie, munster, goat cheese, pecorino romano, extra sharp cheddar)

Rice Crackers and Carr's Crackers

Assorted Fresh Vegetables

Seasonal Fruit

Avocado

Yogurt

Box and Cereal 

Soy Milk

 

That should give you a good idea.  I feel obligated to mention that it's fair to say everyone in the band is a "foodie."  Eating well is important to everyone, and we have a number of fantastic cooks in the band.  Allie's a great cook, and Milo has a few signature dishes that are to die for.  He makes a spicy tomato spaghetti that I wish you could all try.

 

What is your favorite restaurant in NYC?

 

That's a tough one, there are so many great ones.  It depends what I'm in the mood for.  I recently moved to Park Slope and there are so many fantastic restaurants there.  Some favorites (for a nice meal) are Applewood, Stone Park Cafe, and the Grocery (in Carroll Gardens).  For some budget meals, Lil Frankies (LES), Sweetwater (Williamsburg), Bar Toto (Park Slope), and Cafe Steinhof (Park Slope) is a great restaurant with hearty food and a wonderful beer selection.  For Pizza cravings Grimaldi's is my no. 1 (although I haven't been to De Fara's I hear that's unbelievable too), but if I can't get down to the Brooklyn Bridge there are two places, both named Joe's, in Park Slope which do that job as well.  I've only done two brunches and they were at Applewood and Bar Toto, two places that I've already mentioned, both fantastic with great cocktails.

 

Nacho Cheese or Cooler Ranch Doritos?

 

Doritos just happen to be my number one guilty pleasure.  I'm partial to Nacho Cheese, but either will do when that craving hits.  I kind of miss the 3D ones though.

 

We heard you played at Rachel Ray's SXSW party and sampled some of her food.  A fan wrote,  "I love Rachel Ray I want to marry her, she is my soulmate and culinary genius." Do you agree?

 

Before we met her I was a little skeptical.  However, after meeting her I'm completely sold.  Not only is she a brilliant business women, but the food was delicious, she was so sweet and adorable, and she's a legitimate music fan.

 

 

Try and sneak into Ra Ra Riot's sold out show at Webster Hall tomorrow night, or catch them at All Points West music festival this summer!

 


Posted in FOOD, MUSIC on April 3, 2009 10:35am by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment



Comments

Rachael9:30am | April 3, 2009

awesome interview!


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