Rikki Rakki is a hazy, dreamy, “stargazy” rock & roll band from Richmond, Virginia. Songwriter Erika Blatnik’s sweet-tart voice and lilting melodies deliver lyrics hell-bent on finding hope in a void-gazing reality. Along with her own jaunty guitar, Blatnik and buds Matt Luger (guitar/synth), Andy Brown (bass), and Jay Kole (drums) create a vibrant tapestry of sound, weaving layers of reverb-washed harmonies, decaying ambient flutters, sharp jangles and tactile rhythms.
Take a journey to Rikki Rakki’s happy place on their latest single, “Snaggletooth.” The folksy, jangly indie rock anthem finds the band appreciating those moments in life when the world seems to come to a standstill, problems seem to evaporate, and you are flushed with peace. While the band sings of blissfulness, their delivery is anything but that. Hard rock-inspired guitars cut through head-banging drum patterns, while Blatnik’s vocals soar over the top of it all stunningly and infectiously. “Snaggletooth” balances the peace with the chaos, and Rikki Rakki seems to be in control of it all. The band’s new single is a hard-rocking, head-spinning piece of folk-inspired indie rock that captures innocence and turns into a relatable anthem.
“‘Snaggletooth’ was inspired by my pets – most specifically my puppy, Willy. I wrote it sitting in my backyard on a sunny spring day, coffee in hand, watching my cats and dogs mill about the yard, chasing butterflies and bees,” explains Blatnik. “It’s sort of a tongue-in-cheek look at the chaos of the times we’re living in, acknowledging the tragic absurdity of the news cycle while exploring the conscious decision to find joy in the midst of all the grief and horror.”
