press and reviews

For Live at SteelStacks and our latest music…

“Trading vocals Kevin McCloskey and Mindy Murray take turns singing lead, as the feel of the lyrical protagonist changes hands throughout the album but it’s always aimed at real workers’ struggle for fundamental basic human needs and rights from insurrections to mining to railroad and losing the family farm…all eminently listenable.” – Americana Highways

“Mindy Murray is a folksinger through and through – there’s no denying the power that she brings to a song.” – Americana UK

“‘Did Ya Vote’ celebrates the strength of the women who fought for suffrage and the power that modern women can yield by exercising that right.” – Americana UK

For Big Oak Road…

Cover image Irish Music magazine

“These songs tell the stories of people who were just trying to get by and had other peoples’ fortunes made on their backs–The stories of what they suffered through and what they had to overcome.” – United Mine Workers of America

“…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 (Exclusive premiere, August 10, 2019)

“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 (July 2019)

“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 (August 21, 2019)

For River Drivers and other early work…

“…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.” – No Depression (March 27, 2015)

“…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 (“An interview with the River Drivers,” March 26, 2015)

“…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, subscription only)

“….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 (“US Band the River Drivers to launch new album on 4th April,” March 10, 2015)

“…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 (June 2015)