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Dry the River
“They are much more than a compendium of influences. They have their own voice – and use it beautifully” – Sunday Times
“It’s nu-folk with the volume turned up” – Q Magazine
“I think people are surprised when they come to see us live.” says Peter Liddle, heavily tattooed front man of London’s Dry the River. “They expect us to be really calm and quiet but in some ways we're the opposite.”
You can see why people get confused: this five-piece band has all the hallmarks of the latest folk sensation: elemental name, beards, acoustic guitars, even a violinist. But what sets Dry the River apart is a background in hardcore and post-punk bands, hence the tattoos, lyrics that read like a Steinbeck novel and a sonic palette that sweeps from gentle to giant like an incoming storm.
Liddle returned to his home town as a teenager where he and the various members of Dry the River were crossing paths in various bands on the DIY scene centered around Southampton, Reading and Newbury.
Whilst studying at University in Bristol, music became a major distraction. Liddle started writing folky material in his hall of residence room and, on summer break, called on those old friends from the Reading scene – by now all living in London - to record them. “Initially the emphasis was on it being something distinct from our old bands - really gentle and lo-fi,” says Liddle. “Every time Jon tried to rock out I’d say, no, no, keep it stripped back.”
Following that session, Liddle embarked on a summer 2009 solo tour under the Dry the River name. On returning, he assembled the full band for a debut show in London, and found it was well attended by label A&R. Soon after, Liddle stopped telling the band to hold back. “Playing in a heavier way brought the songs a fresh intensity - it was more fun for us and for the crowd.”
In the ensuing months, the band’s snowballing successes amalgamated with a signing to Transgressive publishing, the band were able to quit their jobs and studies. They clocked up some miles too, playing across Europe, the US and beyond.
In March 2011, the band traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut to record their debut album with producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol), a man whose professional ethos was a perfect match. “I think we tried to preserve the fragility and honesty of the more stripped down tracks, but still get the intensity of the live show across too - to marry those two aspects of our music without it sounding incongruous.”
Back in Britain, the band’s progress remained rapid – videos of off-the-cuff acoustic performances became internet smashes, EPs sold out and festival bookings began to come in. Additionally, a slot on the BBC’s sound of 2012 list rewarded their stealthy ascent combined with a prestigious slot at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.
When their album arrived in March of 2012 the band’s musical heritage and circuitous journey shone through. Dry the River are well on their way for a stellar year in 2012. Don’t call them the next great folk band. Just call them the next great band, full stop.
Thursday 18th October // Tickets £8.50 // Doors 7.30pm // Over 14s
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