Four friends, more than half a dozen instruments, and good craic. The River Drivers have roots in Ireland and Scotland by way of Philadelphia and play a combination of Celtic music, Americana, and hard-driving folk songs.
Big Oak Road available NOW!
“…incredibly reminiscent of The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl on ‘Fairytale of New York’… the brute male-female tandem of voices with such vivacious melody is addictive. You can’t just let that go… River Drivers certainly have an earworm on their hands here” – The Spill Magazine
“Literate and melodic, these songs are worth a listen for those who appreciate a healthy dose of substance, but also want a mix of traditional roots and an invigorating style….Their repertoire strikes a fine balance of original songs and more obscure folk songs, resurrected from deep folk vaults.” – The Big Takeover
“As someone whose formative musical years were filled with the music of The Levellers, The Men They Couldn’t Hang and The Pogues, and from there a further wealth of fire-brand troubadours from Billy Bragg back to Ewan MacColl, my first reaction upon hearing River Drivers is …’why have I not heard this band before?'” – Dancing About Architecture
Praise for our debut album River Drivers
“…times may change, but we remain inherently, irrevocably human. And this is human music. So it is important that some artists work to keep traditional music alive and sing the very human songs which mark our history. One such band…the River Drivers, has recently released its debut, self-titled full-length album, and it is certainly one deserving mention.” –
“…raw, organic and expressive elements of traditional music… artistic quality and powerful conveyances… a traditional Celtic and folk quartet the River Drivers has recently released its debut, employing acoustic instrumentation and rousing vocals…” –Examiner
“…meaty chorus singing… Dubliners territory… these are hearty items… from a band who obviously have a passion for their repertoire.” –fRoots (May 2015, No. 383)
“….a rousing mix of rebel inspired folk music reminiscent of The Wolfe Tones at their best…. They deliver their material with a raw and honest intensity…. This is a late night, raise the roof type outing, delivered with an energy fitting to such occasions.” –TradConnect
“…an energy source of Celtic and Americana soaked sound… These diverse songs are sung with a raw conviction and intensity that tell the truth of the passion felt from within the band, revel in the powerful messages that are driving factors behind the lyrical origin of the songs themselves. If you want to rouse yourselves out of the slumber of apathy and get lyrically motivated in united, invasive, proletariat passion then take a listen to this.” – Irish Music Magazine
To hear more, check out the music link above–or click on our calendar to see when we’re playing live!
River Drivers 