Lake Street Dive Signs to Nonesuch Records

Indie pop group Lake Street Dive this week signed to Nonesuch Records, which will release the band's label debut album in early 2016. The four musicians, who are currently on a USA tour, met as students at New England Conservatory. USA Today recently said of them, "The group is built around the powerhouse alto voice of Rachael Price, which sports traces of Amy Winehouse and Bonnie Raitt. That instrument is supported by the strong, smart songwriting and gorgeous harmony singing of band mates Bridget Kearney, Michael ("McDuck") Olson, and Michael Calabrese." Further details about the album and its release will be announced shortly, as will further tour dates.

The band was created in 2004 by Minneapolis native Olson and named after an actual neighborhood of seedy bars in his hometown; all four members contribute equally to songwriting. A casually made video featuring the group performing a cover of Jackson 5's "I Want You Back,", previously a Graham Parker hit,  shot on a street corner, first brought the band wider attention; its YouTube views are well over three million. Shortly thereafter, T Bone Burnett invited Lake Street Dive to perform on the Another Day, Another Time concert at New York City's Town Hall. The New Yorker said of that night: "I can't imagine then, that Lake Street Dive; a quartet led by an amazing young singer, Rachael Price, won't be getting some air time soon," and Rolling Stone called the band "unexpected showstoppers."

photo: Danny Clinch