When beginning work on what would be their second full-length album, the four musicians of Asheville-based River Whyless decided to change their approach to songwriting. The result is showcased on the recently released recording, We All the Light. Bassist Daniel Shearin describes the new method as “more building fresh from the beginning, and not so much tearing apart.” River Whyless’ current tour swings through the group’s hometown for a Saturday, Oct. 8, show at The Orange Peel.
The River Whyless sound doesn’t lend itself to easy categorization; listeners may hear hints of everything from the Decemberists to Paul Simon to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack to Peter Gabriel. The music on We All the Light is folk-flavored, but with a definite pop-leaning sensibility. “We were struggling for a while to find common ground,” explains drummer Alex McWalters, “and one of the things we came together on was a more straightforward approach, a little bit poppier and more concise way of doing things. And that got us all excited.”
“We’re not consciously crafting the record to sound any certain way,” adds guitarist Ryan O’Keefe. “It’s just [the product of] how we’re feeling at the time, and the kind of music that inspires us.” Shearin describes “Baby Brother” and the 10 other songs on We All the Light as the realization of “a grab-bag approach. The three of us — Halli [Anderson, violin], Ryan and myself — write a lot of songs. In the past, we’d bring an essentially completed song to the table. And then the four of us would tear it apart and rebuild it in a completely new way.”
But for We All the Light, they brought “little bits of kindling,” says Shearin. “One of us would have a verse, or Alex would have a drum beat. And we’d start from scratch. That approach is fairly new to this band.”
All four members are longtime friends from college. The quartet came together in 2011 when Shearin joined the other three musicians, who had just finished recording their debut album, 2012’s A Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door. He came on board just in time for the opening show on the album’s release date. In addition to his bass guitar, Shearin’s harmonium adds one of several distinctive elements to the group’s rich instrumental mix. When he first joined the band, he tried to buy one of the small pump organs from a Craigslist seller, but they couldn’t come to terms. “I came to the band and said, ‘This just happened, and it’s terrible!’” Shearin recalls. “But a week later, Ryan ordered one on eBay.”
River Whyless got a major break after attending last year’s AmericanaFest in Nashville. NPR radio host Bob Boilen took notice of the group and invited the musicians to appear on his influential “Tiny Desk Concerts” program. Delivering stripped-down arrangements of three tunes that would eventually appear on We All the Light, the group found its profile raised significantly.
Boilen “did sort of take us under his wing,” says violinist Halli Anderson. “‘Tiny Desk’ was so much fun. It was a really special moment. When we play live now, more people know the words, because of ‘Tiny Desk.’ It was a big deal for us, and it pushed us forward into having a larger and different kind of fan base coming out to our live shows.”
“Tiny Desk Concerts” would in fact be only one of several opportunities for River Whyless. Late last month, the musicians returned to Nashville for a second AmericanaFest appearance; also in September they performed on WXPN’s “World Cafe.” Opportunities like these help bring the group’s music to new audiences who are predisposed to appreciate the River Whyless sound. “It’s not just one thing that’s going to pluck you out of obscurity, moving you forward in big leaps,” concedes O’Keefe. “Triple-A [Adult Album Alternative] radio, things like ‘Tiny Desk,’ articles … all those have to combine to help a career.”
Though their current tour includes a show at Las Vegas’ House of Blues and the revered Mountain Stage in West Virginia, the four musicians of River Whyless are most excited about their Orange Peel date. “That one’s going to be our ideal show,” promises Shearin. “We’re going to get to do everything we’ve always hoped and dreamed to do onstage. And it’s our hometown, so you can’t beat that.”
WHO: River Whyless with Shannon Whitworth
WHERE: The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., theorangepeel.net
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 p.m. $13
The Tiny Desk concert sparked my interest in River Whyless but didn’t prepare me for their Wow! of a new album, We All the Light. The writing, instrumentation and arrangements are relentlessly surprising. The subtly interwoven tracks add another layer of perspectives to the experience. And above all that, there’s the attitude. These songs mainly seem to address everyday difficulties of friendships and family life, but the typical mournfulness, regret, anger, etc. are missing. Instead, we’re treated to an upbeat sense of caring and can-do optimism. Imagine that. I only hope the professional breaks keep coming for River Whyless. In our distempered times, these guys are an infectious breath of fresh air.
Regardless of how wonderful the music may be (I dig some of it)-
the above comment doesn’t sound like a focus group tested review by an associate who might
happen to work in the music industry who pens reviews (or simply a friend of the band) at all.
I prefer ‘they rawwwck!’ for occasional brevity.
I have no connection to the music industry or band, but I am a writer. Although I don’t generally review music, the offending comment was submitted because Mtn X didn’t cover the upcoming show until the last minute. River Whyless and its potential Asheville audience deserved better. Consider my over-the-topness a small and heartfelt attempt to compensate. No apologies.