La Strada in a 'New Home'

Since forming three years ago, La Strada, like most bands, has toured pretty incessantly, always returning back home to Brooklyn.

As they follow up to last year's self-titled EP, the band (comprised of James Craft, Devon Press, Ted Lattis, Brady Miller, and Daniel Baer) took inspiration from a year of extensive tours and shows. "New Home," out this spring and produced by Kyle “Slick” Johnson (Cymbals Eat Guitars, Modest Mouse, Fischerspooner), takes the EP’s clever, eclectic sounds and injects them with the intensity of a live performance.

Take, for instance, the album's first track, “Go Forward,” which Craft wrote on a subway platform in Brooklyn. “I play the subway to test my material - just to play new tunes and see if they hit people,” says Craft. “I'm always double-checking that I'm a gut musician, not a concept musician."

While the album's not dropped until April 20, you don't have to wait until the spring to hear the new tunes. The band recently did a session with Daytrotter featuring tracks from "New Home," and they play the Bell House this Friday, opening for the Watson Twins in what's sure to be another raucous, foot-stomping show.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. At 7:30 pm. The Bell House is located at 149 7th St.