Similar to NY contemporaries Stars Like Fleas and Twi The Humble Feather (who we also like), La Strada has an uncanny ability to funnel the romance of old-world instrumentation through new-world amplification. With soaring vocal harmonies, accordion, and string-driven melodies revved up on rock ‘n’ roll, La Strada transports you to the hills of the Balkans, a street corner in Paris, and back home beneath a Brooklyn skyline.

Frontman, songwriter and former aspiring astronaut, James Craft, was born in France and has also lived in Northern California, and Romania, and as a result, the band’s folk ballads and fiery anthems are infused with a sense of great distance, invoking both nostalgia and awe. The band’s debut, 6-song collection has captured the energy and intricate melodies of the band’s live performances.

Speaking of the Fleas and Feathers, along with Frances, they will help celebrate the Ernest Jenning release of of La Strada’s self-titled debut EP on March 5th at the Music Hall Of Williamsburg. But for those keeping tabs, the EP actually comes out the week before on February 24 and we have the exclusive download of the single “Starling” below.

La Strada – “Starling”

MP3 Download – “Starling”

La Strada EP track listing
01. Orphan
02. The Sun Song
03. Flying
04. Loved You All Along
05. Mama
06. Starling

La Strada tour dates
02.11.09 – Brooklyn, NY (Union Pool)*
02.11.09 – Charlottesville, VA (Gravity Lounge)#
02.11.09 – Asheville, NC (Bobo Gallery)#
02.15.09 – Chapel Hill, NC (The Cave)
02.20.09 – Philadelphia, PA (The Fire)&
02.21.09 – Baltimore, MD (Talking Head)&
02.22.09 – Arlington, VA – (Iota Club)
03.05.09 – Brooklyn, NY (Music Hall of Williamsburg)**

* w/ Robbers on High Street & The Silent League
# w/Bird Lips
& w/ Deleted Scenes
** w/ Stars Like Fleas, Frances & Twi The Humble Feather