Artist
HI-RES IMAGES: To download, click above.
Credit: Brock Scott
RELEASE DATE: 01/20/15
TRACK CLEARED TO POST:
LINKS:
Official Website
LABEL:
Backwoods Nation (North America)
MEMBERS:
Ryan O’Keefe – Guitar and lead vocals
Halli Anderson – Violin and lead vocals
Daniel Shearin – Bass and vocals
Alex McWalters – Drums
TOUR:
Feb 26, 2015 – Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria, Knoxville, TN
Feb 27, 2015 – Kings, Raleigh, NC
Feb 28, 2015 – The Willow Tree Coffeehouse and Music Room, Johnson City, TN
Mar 4, 2015 – Legends Club, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
Mar 7, 2015 – The Mothlight, Asheville, NC
Mar 13-22 – SXSW, Austin, TX
Mar 22, 2015 – Spider House Ballroom, Austin, TX
Mar 24, 2015 – Columbia Theatre, Hammond, LA
Mar 25, 2015 – Thunderbird Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
Mar 26, 2015 – The Hamilton Live, Washington, DC
Mar 27, 2015 – The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA
Mar 28, 2015 – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
Mar 29, 2015 – Tralf Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
Mar 31, 2015 – The Drake Hotel, Toronto, ON
Apr 1, 2015 – Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI
Apr 2, 2015 – The Basement, Columbus, OH
Apr 3, 2015 – White Rabbit Cabaret, Indianapolis, IN
Apr 4, 2015 – Bright Box Theatre, Winchester, VA
Apr 9, 2015 – Albino Skunk Festival, Greenville, SC
Apr 14, 2015 – Sugarlands Distilling, Gatlinburg, TN
Apr 17 – 19 – Phuzz Fest, Winston-Salem, NC
July 24, 2015 – Floydfest, Floyd, VA
River Whyless
Backwoods Nation
Asheville, North Carolina’s River Whyless is a band much like that titular body of water – a mingling of currents, a flow of time and physical space, all brought together in a murmuring sense of purpose. It is the expression of a group of musicians, three of which are songwriters, who have played together in various forms since their college days in the North Carolina mountains. Their forthcoming self-titled EP, their first release since their 2012 debut album, is the next evolution of the band’s collective voice.
Composed of Ryan O’Keefe (guitars, vocals), Halli Anderson (violin, vocals), Alex McWalters (drums, percussion) and Daniel Shearin (bass, vocals, harmonium, cello, banjo), the band found themselves at a bit of a crossroads when preparing music for a new release. “Sometimes each songwriter really differs quite a bit from the other,” said O’Keefe. “We had to figure out how to incorporate everyone’s writing style into a cohesive idea. These were the five songs where we could find that common thread.”
After the “long and arduous, DIY” process of recording their first album over a period of many months back in 2011, the band elected to decamp to Louisville, Kentucky’s La La Land Studio to work with Kevin Ratterman (Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, Ben Sollee) on their new recordings. “We like to get out of town when we write and record. Putting our minds and bodies in a creative place tends to yield the most honest results. In an atmosphere like La La Land you can eat, sleep and breathe the music you’re working on without the distractions of everyday life. I enjoy that,” added O’Keefe. “We recorded mostly live with just a few overdubs. Kevin likes to move at a good clip in order to capture that magical, synchronistic moment. He also records to tape and uses all this great gear. Tracking this way was new and exciting to us and, I think it shows in the songs.” Recording this way captured the chemistry and intuitive bonds of long-time collaborators hitting their stride. As a band who has toured heavily over the years, it reflects River Whyless as a unit, where each member anticipates the other’s move, and effortlessly complements it. The new EP was recorded and mixed in just four days. “I’m more proud of these songs than any others we’ve recorded” glowed O’Keefe. And it’s easy to see why.
The machinery-like percussion that leads track four, “Miles of Skyline,” is interwoven with clock-like guitar patterns alongside Shearin’s lead vocals. The weeping guitar of “Fine Companion” underpins the stridently hopeful lyrics. “Maple Sap” builds on its multiple metaphors of firewood and sap to ask universal questions we grapple with in stillness with ourselves. “Bath Salt” has a loping rhythm that showcases Anderson’s voice finding a mark between Sandy Denny’s ethereal plea and Crystal Gayle’s country swoon. The English trad-folk sounds are the band’s obvious touchstones, putting them in a category similar to contemporaries like Fleet Foxes and Stornoway.
ON TOUR:
THU 15 JANUARY – The Earl – Atlanta, GA, US
THU 15 JANUARY – WDVX Blue Plate Special – Knoxville, TN, US
FRI 16 JANUARY – The Jinx – Savannah, GA, US
SAT 17 JANUARY – Bourgie Nights – Wilmington, NC, US
WED 21 JANUARY – The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC, US
THU 22 JANUARY – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC, US
FRI 23 JANUARY – Ashland Coffee & Tea – Ashland, VA, US
SAT 24 JANUARY – Taphouse – Hampton, VA, US
WED 28 JANUARY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 – New York, NY, US
THU 29 JANUARY – Tin Angel at Serrano – Philadelphia, PA, US
SAT 31 JANUARY – Pittsburgh Winery – Pittsburgh, PA, US
TUE 3 FEBRUARY – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH, US
THU 5 FEBRUARY – MOTR – Cincinnati, OH, US
FRI 6 FEBRUARY – The New Vintage – Louisville, KY, US
THU 12 FEBRUARY – The Hi-Fi (formerly Do317 Lounge) – Indianapolis, IN, US
FRI 13 FEBRUARY – Hideout Inn – Chicago, IL, US
SAT 14 FEBRUARY – Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe – Frankfort, KY, US
THU 26 FEBRUARY – Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria – Knoxville, TN, US
SAT 28 FEBRUARY – The Willow Tree Coffeehouse and Music Room – Johnson City, TN, US
WED 1 APRIL – Sugarlands Distilling Co. – Gatlinburg, TN, US