Viv & Riley

North Carolina based duo, Viv & Riley's sound is old-soul roots music to its core, elegantly  combining a traditional backbone with the fresh iconic melodies of future-leaning indie-folk, and the tightly wound vocal harmonies of the old-time and classic country music they came from. Although they grew up on opposite sides of the country, Riley in Seattle, Washington, and Vivian in Lexington, Virginia, the two had an instant musical connection upon meeting in 2018. The pair has been collaborating since then, honing their sound playing hundreds of shows across the US, UK, and Canada.

Since 2018, they’ve recorded and released multiple albums to critical acclaim from the likes of NPR Music, Rolling Stone, and No Depression, and have garnered over eight million streams on Spotify. They’ve collaborated with and opened for bands such as Watchhouse, The Wood Brothers, Sarah Jarosz, Mipso, Willie Watson, Rachel Baiman, and Blind Pilot.

A bittersweet nostalgia lies at the heart of Imaginary People, the newest album from Viv & Riley, released September 15, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Over ten tracks, the pair applies an indie roots sheen to newly composed pop gems. Rooted originally in the folk tradition, the pair reframe the production into experimental territory, crafting songs that speak to finding a path forward into adulthood in an uncertain world. The album brings a reflectiveness to summertime jams that speak of uninhibited joy and creative camaraderie. Based out of Durham, North Carolina, they’ve tapped into the area’s eclectic and collaborative music scene, moving beyond their earlier country roots and toward a layered sound and sonic experimentation. The songwriting has evolved as well, from the world-weary, stripped-down country songs they’re known for to indie songwriting at turns sweetly sad and gently sardonic. Ultimately, Imaginary People is about carrying and honoring our pasts, about letting that inform our new steps forward. In both preserving traditional music and bringing their own original folk music to new territories and audiences, Viv & Riley have much to do with the present and future of roots music.

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Host or Publisher Magnetic Sound Studios