As a band, Wild Rivers have never been better. This goes double for the band as individuals, even as they settle in different cities and grow into themselves as adults. Together since college, Devan Glover [vocals], Khalid Yassein [guitar, vocals, keys], and Andrew Oliver [lead guitar] have put down roots in new places and tackled coming-of-age obstacles. After nine years together, they’ve always found their way back to each other, rather like a marriage. And that’s why their new, forthcoming album, the follow-up to 2022’s folk-rock triumph Sidelines, will be called Never Better.


An earnest, soul-baring look at where they’ve been and where they’re going, Never Better (co-produced with Gabe Wax, who has previously worked with The War On Drugs, Soccer Mommy, Adrianne Lenker, and Jeremy Zucker) showcases Wild Rivers’ joy around being together, particularly after they’ve faced burnout, mental health challenges, and extended periods away from home, among other things. “Being in music is like a deal with the devil,” Khalid says of band life. “You have to give up so much, but you have the opportunity to have the richest experiences of your life. You have to ride the wave and not put too much weight on the highs or the lows. It took us a long time to learn, but that’s a real mindset shift for us.”


Recording in Joshua Tree, Devan, Khalid, and Andrew initially set out to just unplug, reconnect, and rediscover the beauty in creating. Soon, they realized they potentially had a new record on their hands—the results of which appear on Never Better, an album that finds Wild Rivers letting go of their studio-perfectionist tendencies and capturing the energy of their uninhibited live shows. “We used to think it was important to be precious,” says Devan. “I used to take five hours to record a vocal and not be happy until it was perfect. Now I think we're more instinct-driven. I realize now that it’s  actually much more of a skill to be able to do four takes and be like, ‘that's the one,’ because the feeling is there, even if it isn't technically perfect.”


For Never Better, Wild Rivers reimagined their studio process, recording a number of elements live off the floor. “We actively wanted to have a lot more fun making this record,” Andrew adds of recording as a live band. “It's way more enjoyable to record songs all together and be able to see each other laughing and reacting to moments, rather than slowly building it up one little thing at a time where someone goes into a room by themselves. We wanted to maintain that connection the whole time.” 


As they look to the future, Wild Rivers are placing a new emphasis on finding balance and taking care of themselves on the road. Devan says. “We’ve gone through really difficult times, mentally, and the strain of being on tour can take a toll. Mental health has always been top of mind for us, and we want to find that balance for ourselves and help other people with the issues that we're struggling with."


Wild Rivers’ effortless synchronicity shines through on the gorgeously harmonized anthem “Everywhere I Go,” which builds from a piano-based jog to a full-fledged sprint with propulsive drums and shimmering keys. "I was thinking about my grandpa, who I was very close to. He passed away a few years ago,” Khalid says. “He was the only other musical person in my family. We used to sit at the piano and play together. He was one of the funniest people I've ever met. I was thinking about how something benign can remind you of someone who's gone and how it can elicit a powerful emotion. It’s the positive feeling of holding on to a memory of something that's inherently sad but beautiful and uplifting.”


Elsewhere, on the swaying “Cave”—pieced together in Nashville and London —Wild Rivers sing wanting something regardless of consequence. “It’s about caving to temptation,” Andrew says. “The temptation being something you know might not be the right thing, but you’re down to just give into it.”


Similarly, the bright and cheery title track gives itself over to the thrill—and risk—of romance. "We have so many breakup songs—so many heartache, pouring-our-souls-out songs," Khalid says. "We are in our 20s, we've had fun experiences and made mistakes in life. The concept of the song is when you're in a messed-up, secret hookup situation. And someone asks 'How's it going with this person?' And you say, 'Never better.' It's a tongue-in-cheek reference to romantic chaos and throwing caution to the wind."


Finally, of the earnest piano ballad “Backfire,” Devan says, “The demo I made was piano and vocals, and the band had the idea to make it more crunchy guitar, lean slightly more '90s, which I never imagined when writing it. It's more story-based. It's more of a build. It felt like what we have done best up until this point. It feels like a bridge from what we've been doing to the new era.”


Khalid adds, “As soon as I heard ‘Backfire,’ I was like, ‘Oh, this is completely Devan as a person. I just believed every moment of it. Vocally, you can hear that. We were all moved by that. It's one of our favorites of the record. It’s really emotional, really unabashed.”


Just as Wild Rivers move from one exciting stage of their career to the next, they are very much still figuring out what it means to grow together. Their journey, filled with peaks, valleys, and everything in between, has never been more beautiful to witness.

Combining intricate fingerstyle guitar and a voice that ‘evokes Joni Mitchell at her very best’ according to Folk Radio UK, Zoë Wren puts a 'refreshingly bold' twist on her folk influences. Since launching her career as a London Underground busker, Zoë has played shows from Towersey to Cambridge Folk Festival, and now livestreams as a Twitch Partner to thousands of viewers worldwide each week. Her songs have been heard on BBC Radio 2 and featured in Clash Magazine and her debut album Reckless River was named Fatea's Debut Album of the Year 2020.

http://www.hollytaymar.co.uk

Welcome to the world of Holly Taymar.

“Measured and beautiful” Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music

Holly Taymar is a passionate singer-songwriter and session writer-performer hailing from York, UK.

With a deep love for ambient indie music, Holly crafts heartfelt melodies and introspective lyrics that resonate deeply with her audience.

A seasoned professional, over the years she has honed her craft, performing at numerous venues and collaborating with talented musicians across various genres (including as part of her duo ‘The Bronze’, with husband Chris Bilton – currently on hiatus while they collaborate on raising their daughter, Ripley).

As a session writer-performer, she brings a unique and emotive touch to each track, enhancing the musical vision of countless projects with her ear for captivating melodies and harmonic arrangements.

Holly’s songwriting is profoundly influenced by personal experiences and a desire to connect on a meaningful level. Her work has garnered radio airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6Music, further amplifying her reach and impact.

Holly’s music is her way of storytelling, aiming to create songs that leave a lasting impression on all who listen. Whether performing live, recording in the studio, or writing evocative lyrics, Holly Taymar continues to make her mark on the music scene.

Come along for the ride.

‘Measured and beautiful ‘ 
Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music

‘Immediately engaging’
Acoustic Magazine

‘Beautifully understated’
R2 Magazine

Described as “one of Hull’s most innovative artists…” (Soundsphere Magazine), Yorkshire-born singer-songwriter Jack Parker has been captivating audiences across the UK and Europe. Jack combines his honest, singer-songwriter style and powerful, emotion-driven lyrics with the latest live technology to deliver a live show that is touching, engaging, and cutting edge.

Over the past few years, Jack has toured the UK and made festival appearances across Europe; with concerts in Portugal, Holland and Spain to name but a few. As well as delivering captivating live shows, Jack recently released his latest EP, Wild; a burst of fun, excitement and style, whilst retaining those emotional undertones that gently pull at the heartstrings.

The future looks bright for this young singer-songwriter. In 2018, Jack will be appearing at numerous festivals across the UK and Europe including a main stage slot at Yorkshire’s Beverley Festival. In between his busy gigging schedule, Jack is working hard on his debut album which is set for release in early 2019.

Every Song i play is  written to the best of my ability on an acoustic guitar called Blake (don't worry about it), The lyrics are very personal but not necessarily descriptive. There are two specific reasons for this: the first being the confines of fitting and cutting a much longer poem into song lyrics, and the second is that I'm a firm believer in the phrase 'what you don't know can't hurt you'.

Featured on Netflix and BBC 2, Rachel Croft is an "emotive and uncompromising alternative artist at the top of her game” (Atwood Magazine) with a vocal range that flows effortlessly from fierce power to deadly soft.

Hailing from London, Rachel’s thunderous and cinematic works have been synced on the BBC and Netflix, premiered in leading global outlets such as CMT, BBC Radio and Fresh On The Net, and featured on the Caffè Nero playlist rotation at 600+ UK locations.

Her tempestuous, female-forward songwriting and vivid stage presence have been making waves in the UK and beyond, performing at iconic venues such as the Camden Assembly in London, the Bitter End in New York and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville; as well as gracing festivals including Cambridge and Moseley, and selling out venues across Europe on regular tours.

Jack Parker is following