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 nearly six million streams on Spotify. A bittersweet nostalgia lies at the heart of Imaginary People, the latest 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, recruiting Alex Bingham of Hiss Golden Messenger to produce the album. Bingham brings a sunny, lush sound to Viv & Riley’s music, 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. This balancing act is familiar territory for Viv & Riley, who also play in The Onlies, an award winning old time stringband that Riley co-founded in Seattle at age 7. In that role, they serve as co-artistic directors of The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes. In both preserving traditional music and bringing their own original folk music to new territories and audiences, it is clear that Viv & Riley have much to do with the present and future of roots music. 

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R.O. Shapiro is a purveyor of original Americana music, carefully crafted and soulfully sung, drawing comparisons to Josh Ritter, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Bahamas. Originally from the very East End of Long Island, NY, he cut his teeth performing in the world-famous live music scene of Austin, TX, and has been perpetually on the road for the better part of a decade. R.O. is a winner of the 2022 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest, a 2024 NewSong Competition finalist, and has recently toured with May Erlewine, Jeffrey Martin, and Taylor Ashton. In February 2025 he released the four-song EP, recorded in part with producer/instrumentalist Phil Cook. He is currently based in the Bay Area, and regularly tours solo in the US and Canada, always on the lookout for new communities and stages where he can share his authentic warmth and wit.

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