|
Cashes Rivers is a singer, songwriter, and artist - prolific in each aspect. When you ask Rivers what influences him the most you are amazed at his diversity. Citing bands like Fleetwood Mac, Neutral Milk Hotel and ELO in the same breath shows his willingness and curiosity to look both backwards and forwards for inspiration yet staying absolutely present.
Cashes Rivers began his musical career at the age of 13 playing in basement bands with friends but soon ventured into the studio to work on his solo/self released album titled, "the trees will clap for us..." Thanks to his innovative marketing strategies, support from his family and friends, and above all - the creative forces behind the writing and arrangement, “the trees will clap for us...” was released to a group of fans and was received with high acclaim. After the release of his EP, he performed for the first time at a local cafe drawing in promoters, musicians and venue owners eager to hear the 'kid' who was Cashes Rivers. Based on just a handful of shows, Rivers was asked to open for bands such as The Academy Is, Eric Hutchinson and The Envy Corps. The EP, with its diverse musical and vocal arrangements, attracted attention of podcasts around the country, radio stations and local music festivals such as the Gross Domestic Product, 80/35 and DogTown Fest.
In May of 2009, Cashes Rivers was picked up by a new independent label, Aqui Estamos Records, and began the recording of his second album due for release in March of 2010. This highly anticipated album will reassure his fans of his ability to keep us in his moment and follow him wherever he wants us to go. Cashes Rivers----modest, simple, truthful, talented, wishful, hopeful, ambiguous and mysterious.... His words entice and haunt us but most importantly, his words invite us.
Des Moines Music Coalition's review of the trees will clap for us...
"It’s the voice of singer/songwriter Cashes Rivers that immediately pulls you in – it’s sad and mournful and aching, but also hopeful and sweet. After that voice, though, you get some nice, lush instrumentation and arrangement (courtesy of some of Des Moines’ best local musicians).
Horns and vocal effects on songs like “Beep Beep” punctuate the poignant lyrics, and the lush introductory keys of “When it Rains” let you know you’re in for something special, and it doesn’t disappoint – the fading vocals and electronic beats at the end leave you wistful and wanting more.
Cashes Rivers also hand draws the cover to every CD he sells – how cool is that?"
Cashes Rivers' music can sound pretty different depending on when you catch him. On his debut EP, "The Trees Will Clap For Us ...," he played nearly all of the instruments himself, creating a full band sound. Live, sometimes it's just him and an acoustic guitar, playing sweet, sensitive and often funny tunes that reveal a seemingly older soul than his 19 years. Then there are shows like his performance this spring at Gross Domestic Product, where Cashes got around 10 friends to play with him, creating an impressive stage show that seemed more on par with indie collective Broken Social Scene than standard singer-songwriter fare.
"Sometimes when you do something as a band, then strip it to acoustic it doesn't sound right," Rivers said. "I wanted to be able to have the options to play the songs by myself and still have them sound good."
What made his big band's performance at GDP even more impressive was that it was the group's first show together, and that Rivers only had a handful of dates under his belt at that point. The Des Moines Music Coalition offered him a spot at the 80/35 Music Festival based off the performance, but Rivers ended up passing to focus on recording his debut full-length, which is due out next spring.
Was that a smart move? Maybe. Rivers spent a lot of time working on the songs from "Trees" before ever performing them live. The result was a fairly polished sound from such a young performer. He's working with Brandon Darner of The Envy Corps on the full-length, and the band seems to have taken him under their wing (Rivers ended up playing a few songs with the band at 80/35). With the new album and support from the city's most popular band, his star will only rise. Spots at GDP and next year's 80/35 are likely his if he wants them.
By that time he'll have already headlined a festival. He's closing out the revived Dogtown Fest near Drake on Sept. 26. - Joe Lawler Juice
|
M A M Y K Ô 
Online!
