Series Shows

The 2018 Live at the Rives Concert Series 

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The War And Treaty

w/ opener: Forlorn Strangers

Fri., April 6, 2018 – The War and Treaty: the name itself represents the pull between trauma and tranquility; music inspired by darkness and despair that ultimately finds a higher spiritual purpose. Its a sound manifested on the groups upcoming EP, Down to the River. For Michael Trotter Jr., the journey began in 2004, when he arrived in Iraq, an untested soldier stricken by fear and self-doubt. His captain made it his personal mission to see to Trotters survival. The unit was encamped in one of Saddam Husseins private palaces, and in a forgotten corner in its basement, they found a black upright piano that once belonged to the dictator himself. When Trotter shared the fact he could sing, he was encouraged to teach himself to play piano on that confiscated keyboard. I wrote my first song after that captain was killed, Trotter recalls. I sang it for his memorial in Iraq. Soon after it became his mission to sing at the memorial services for those that had fallen. For the next three years, he sang songs that brought solace and comfort to the members of his unit. His efforts eventually garnered wider recognition as well. He came in first place in Military Idol, the armys version of American Idol, during a competition held in Baumholder, Germany. Following his discharge, he was featured on the Hope Channel program My Story, My Song.

Then he met Tanya Blount. Blount, a seasoned performer whose musical influences include Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, Sister Odette and Aretha Franklin, was amazed by Michael. “His personality drew me in initial and then the sparks started to fly. I knew that I was hooked,” recalls Tanya. The two fell in love, got married and used the experiences they had gained to create a new musical collaboration. The couple then secured the services of musicians whose skills add a distinctive sound to The War and Treatys blend of roots music, bluegrass, folk, gospel and soul. Recorded in Albion, Michigan, Down to the River boasts a sound thats both stirring and sensual, driven by joy, determination and an unceasing upward gaze. The music is visceral but never morose, flush with emotion but void of despair a style that touches on a variety of genres, but never finds itself confined to any one. The arrangements are uncluttered harmonies, bass lines, guitar and mandolin licks, settle drum patterns and keyboards create an immensely moving soundscape but the sentiments and emotions are fully realized and soar with a steady, chilling assurance.

Forlorn Strangers is a quintet based out of Nashville, Tennessee. The band is a collective of five songwriters, each having their own distinct styles that blend into one unmistakable voice. Their sound delves into all reaches of American roots music, driven by foot-stomping percussion and soaring family harmonies. The band is comprised of sisters Abigail Dempsey (fiddle, guitar, percussion, vocals) and Hannah Leigh Lusk (mandolin, percussion, upright bass, vocals); Chris Banke (guitar, mandolin, vocals); Benjamin Lusk (banjo, guitar, vocals); and Jesse Thompson (upright bass, dobro, guitar, vocals). Since 2013, Forlorn Strangers has released two EPs (While the Grass Grows and American Magic Tricks) and has toured continuously across the United States, playing for an ever-increasing group of appreciative fans. In 2015, Forlorn Strangers played over 180 shows in over one hundred cities and more than thirty states nationwide.

Tickets $12 adv / $15 day of show. Buy from The Daily Grind, Rising Sun Breads or online HERE. Music begins at 8 pm.

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Previous 2018 Series Shows

Jan. 13 – The Trongone Band

Jan. 27 – Victor Wainwright & The Train – Opening Party

Feb. 16 – Empire Strikes Brass

March 16 – Camel City Collective feat. Roosevelt Collier & Billy Cardine