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

"Lake Street Dive was completely unknown to us the night they appeared at that now legendary concert at Town Hall," said Nonesuch President Bob Hurwitz. "They made one of those rare immediate, unforgettable, impressions. It was clear right away that they were fresh, musically exceptional, original, fun, and brilliant. And every time I saw them afterwards, I realized that they were even better than I first thought. We're thrilled that they've come to Nonesuch."

The bandmembers add: "We're so excited and honored to be joining the Nonesuch family! It's a label we've all admired and been fans of for years and years. McDuck remembers specifically learning of the concept of record labels for the first time as a child from listening to the Nonesuch–released Morton Subotnick album, Silver Apples of the Moon, on his way to school in the morning with his dad. Their whole catalog has been an inspiration to us in all of its ambitions and stylistic diversity. They value musical integrity above all else and we're so proud to be among the weirdos that they support!"