Ra Ra Riot is redefining itself, with show with The Shins in Park City Monday

The Shins headline this May 13 show at Park City Live, but East Coast-based ensemble Ra Ra Riot opens and is in the midst of redefining itself.

In a phone interview, violinist Rebecca Zeller said that when it came time to record a third album, band members wanted something different than "The Orchard," the group's chamber-pop album.

"We were freeing ourselves from that," she said.

The result was "Beta Love," which showcases a New Wave-inspired sound. "It was something we were interested in for a while," Zeller said. "We didn't set up to make a synth-pop album." As the album was taking shape, the men in the band saturated themselves with sci-fi influences and readings about futurism, which led to fascinating themes and sounds.

"We realized how different it was," Zeller said, recalling that midway through the recording process, the musicians congregated in the studio's parking lot to decide if what they were doing was right.

In the end, Ra Ra Riot decided to go with the mantra that you're not learning if you don't challenge yourself.

When • Monday, May 13, 9 p.m.Where • Park City Live, 427 Main St., Park CityTickets • $62.50 at parkcitylive.net