After a breakthrough 2009 that saw them earn comparisons to The Arcade Fire and Neutral Milk Hotel, capture SXSW buzz playing on a bill with Grizzly Bear, sell out tours, sign to Paper Bag Records and Saddle Creek Records, and score a “Breaking Out” featuring in SPIN Magazine, The Rural Alberta Advantage are poised to explode in 2011 with Departing out March 1st in Canada on Paper Bag Records. The band will play an intimate set at The Mercury Lounge in New York City on January 12th. With Departing, the band further refines their exuberant guitar work; everything-on-the-table vocals; songwriting full of conviction; the intricate, majestic drumming and keyboard-sprinkled arrangements that won them so many fans around the world. Departing strings together themes of small towns, Canadian fall and winter, breakups and redemption, and serves as a companion piece to their beloved debut album Hometowns. Highlights include the affecting “North Star,” the stark regret of “Tornado,” and the storming, percussive surge of “Stamp,” all of which vividly set the scene. The group consists of singer/guitarist Nils Edenloff, also the chief writer in the group; Paul Banwatt, whose raucous percussion pushes the songs into overdrive; and multi-instrumental Amy Cole, who provides keys, percussion, and backing vocals. Borrowing a regional slogan, Edenloff grew up in rural Fort McMurray, Alberta, and draws on his experiences there in his songwriting. Departing Track Listing: Two Lovers The Breakup Under the Knife Muscle Relaxants North Star Stamp Tornado ‘87 Barnes’ Yard Coldest Days Good Night More info at www.theraa.com Press release via Stage Fright Publicity

After a breakthrough 2009 that saw them earn comparisons to The Arcade Fire and Neutral Milk Hotel, capture SXSW buzz playing on a bill with Grizzly Bear, sell out tours, sign to Paper Bag Records and Saddle Creek Records, and score a “Breaking Out” featuring in SPIN Magazine, The Rural Alberta Advantage are poised to explode in 2011 with Departing out March 1st in Canada on Paper Bag Records. The band will play an intimate set at The Mercury Lounge in New York City on January 12th.

With Departing, the band further refines their exuberant guitar work; everything-on-the-table vocals; songwriting full of conviction; the intricate, majestic drumming and keyboard-sprinkled arrangements that won them so many fans around the world. Departing strings together themes of small towns, Canadian fall and winter, breakups and redemption, and serves as a companion piece to their beloved debut album Hometowns. Highlights include the affecting “North Star,” the stark regret of “Tornado,” and the storming, percussive surge of “Stamp,” all of which vividly set the scene.

The group consists of singer/guitarist Nils Edenloff, also the chief writer in the group; Paul Banwatt, whose raucous percussion pushes the songs into overdrive; and multi-instrumental Amy Cole, who provides keys, percussion, and backing vocals. Borrowing a regional slogan, Edenloff grew up in rural Fort McMurray, Alberta, and draws on his experiences there in his songwriting. Departing Track Listing: Two Lovers The Breakup Under the Knife Muscle Relaxants North Star Stamp Tornado ‘87 Barnes’ Yard Coldest Days Good Night

More info at www.theraa.com

Press release via Stage Fright Publicity