As people who periodically book shows, we can get a certain envy when we see a particularly good bill that we didn’t have anything to do with. A great example is this Thursday night’s show at the Rickshaw Stop, which is a pretty stacked lineup of well-crafted lyrical pop. The night begins with The Ian Fays, a band we featured several months back who write super-catchy songs with some pretty intense lyrics, According to their MySpace page, the band is going to be recording a new album after this show. We featured some newer recordings in our feature episode on the band, which showcase the Fays’ move from a more synth pop-dominated sound to a more rock-based approach.

Click to listen to our feature episode on The Ian Fays!

After the Fays, it’s a set from Ray’s Vast Basement. Our recent interview with Ray’s leader Jon Bernson ranks as one of the best we’ve had this year and the band’s latest album, Starvation Under Orange Trees, a thoughtful and beautiful record of which we’re still discovering new layers with continued listens. Check out more at their MySpace page and check out that interview below:

Click to listen to our feature episode on Rays Vast Basement!

Capping off the night is The Old-Fashioned Way, who we haven’t yet interviewed, but only because we’ve been waiting for the release of their debut EP, which is set to come out sometime this fall. We’ve seen them live enough times to know that you’re in for a treat on Thursday. Until then, head on over to their MySpace page to hear some of their catchy, clever songs.

The show starts at 9pm and is $8.