Featuring the talents of Cliff Howard, Jonathan Smith, Paul Fox, Gwyndaf Williams and Ian Connor, Rivertown are an Americana band with a North Wales twist. Creating an interactive fan experience unlike any other, Rivertown performs original songs, and selected harmonies that include ear pleasing harmonies, the haunting sound of the steel guitar, mandolins, twin lead guitars, a super tight and melodic rhythm section, chiming twelve string guitar sound, and much more! Here, members Howard and Smith answer their Essential 8 where they share the story behind "Words Not Said," talk inspiration and album artwork, and much more!
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? (CH) I have been known to get inspiration for a song from newspaper or magazine columns. Sometimes it’s just a headline or a few words that spark an idea for a song. I used to travel frequently on the London Underground and often found myself reading the advertising posters and working up a song lyric. One of my songs came about while I was watching the TV news with the sound turned down. The screen was filled with powerful images which I wrote about. There is inspiration everywhere! Please choose one song and tell the story behind it. (JS) The song 'Words Not Said' took a long time to write, even though it's quite short! It's a story song that documents a relationship looking back over years to when it started. It's quite a positive song! I wrote a lot of extra verses that didn't end up being used. There were certain images that jumped into my head as I was writing...that picture of a sailor kissing a girl in Times Square, that idea of people being out celebrating together and the huge emotional feel in the air when that happens. Also, I liked that it has a little intro that is different to the rest of the song, that was something that was quite common in the 1930's and 40's, but less so now; and of course, there are parts that definitely came from inside me...the line, 'I'm a grumpy soul from time to time'...just ask my partner! Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made – up stories, something else or a combination? (CH) I rarely set out to write about a specific experience or event. My songs usually begin with a few chords that have been going around in my head and once I have a basic chord structure the rest seems to flow. I go where the music takes me and the words just seem to follow. 
Where do you do your best writing?
(CH) I keep a notebook close by most of the time and jot down ideas, words and phrases as they occur to me. When it comes to putting them all together into a song I like to have my guitar, candle light, a glass of red wine and a roaring fire. I have all this at my cottage in the hills in North Wales. Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did? (JS) With two songwriters, it seems democratic to share the four songs on the e.p. between us! We had lots of songs to choose from, but we wanted to pick ones that showed the breadth of music that the band plays...we didn't want to just pick four that sounded the same. So we have 'Old Highway', which is quite a slow ballad, really. It really benefits from the steel guitar, gives it that sad sound. With 'There We Go Again', that's the song we often start our sets with...it has a really easy rolling feel to it, a good groove but not too manic. 'Words Not Said', on the other hand, is much poppier, and rattles along a bit. Finally, 'Somewhere In The Night' is much more epic, it really builds. It also shows off the band as a whole, with bass and drums really prominent, and some very cool lead guitar. Please share the story behind your albums artwork. (CH) Our CD cover has an image of an old paddle steamer called the “Natchez” She is at home in New Orleans and makes trips up and down the Mississippi. I took the picture on my first trip to New Orleans and we think it fits nicely with the “Rivertown” concept Do you have a favorite concert you have ever attended? (JS) Perhaps the best gig I have been to was by Sam Baker. He's not so well known as he should be, but I guess lots of people are like that...there is a depth, intensity and humanity to his writing that few can match. He was blown up in a train by terrorists...just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other people died but he survived. He had a long and arduous recovery, and because of his injuries had to relearn the guitar left handed. But his music is so full of wonder and hope, though never avoiding the difficulties the world presents at times...he's an inspiration, and it was a privilege to see him play. If anyone wants to try his music, start with the songs Snow, or Waves. Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to? (JS) I'm a huge fan of Jason Isbell...his three solo albums are all just immaculate in every way. He does tunes, he does poetry, depth, classic song structures, great and understated playing...just superb. The first half of his 'Nashville Sound' album is just amazing! The second half is pretty good, too...I listen to a lot of new music, I try not to just get stuck with the things I always listen to, though it's always great to listen to old favourites, whether that's Townes van Zandt or Nanci Griffith or Buddy Holly...another new artist I love is Ashley McBryde...her 'Girl Going Nowhere' album is special. Website/Facebook/Twitter
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