Austinist Preview & Giveaway: Ratatat at Emo's Tonight

Multi-instrumentalist and programmer Evan Mast and guitarist Mike Stroud are very busy boys. Between day jobs running record labels and graphic design, studio and tour stints with the likes of Ben Kweller and Dashboard Confessional and a wide assortment of side projects, the New Yorkers formerly known as Cherry found time to record one of the summer's most talked-about albums and are now touring the U.S.

The sound is a more studio developed one compared to the debut, Ratatat, but the essence is still there, delivered full-force. Imagine for a moment that Brian May or Yngwie J. Malmsteen are the front men for your favorite experimental hip hop group, then add some tongue-in-cheek Hot Chip swagger and you're getting close. Even as the wildcat "rawr"s, there's no sense of novelty: Ratatat execute a very studiously mixed album with humor and style without making themselves the butt of the joke.

Wildcat, released in August, features more of the same electro-rock that fans of the debut would expect. They're joined by Envelopes, no slouches in the world of great live shows. Check out their album, Demon, which was released earlier this year. Word on the street is that the live shows are packing a real punch and we're excited to see all the bands on the bill.

[Ratatat Official]
[Ratatat "Seventeen Years" Video]

Oh, you can see for yourself, too, because we're giving away a pair of tickets to their show tonight at Emo's. Just plug your info in below.

Congrats, Kate S. and Brian R.!

Ratatat w/ Envelopes and Panther
Thursday, September 28th
Emo's Outside Stage [map]
Doors at 8pm $12.50 advance
[tickets]