Riviera (17)

Riviera was founded in the thriving Chicago music scene in 2000. Through personnel changes and musical shifts, the band has created a sound that is grounded in American folk and rock with electronic overtones and feedback. Riviera’s musical palette contains shades of artists you already love (Neil Young, Rolling Stones, George Harrison) blended together with colors unique to each of the band’s three singer-songwriters. Singer-songwriter Derek Phillips formed the band in an attempt to bring together the elements of American music that had grabbed his attention over the years. His lyrics paint colors rather than shapes in your mind and leave you with feelings that creep up on you days later.Lead guitarist Mick Radichel writes songs with a decidedly southern flair, though he hails from Milwaukee. Wide varieties of playing styles from Keith Richards to Smokey Hormel to Jim O’Rourke provide the bones to the songs. Josh Boisvert has a repertoire of material reminiscent of the lonesome troubadour. His piano and organ playing and harmonizing vocals round out the band’s sound. Bassist Matt Usner brings folk sensibilities and quiet anchoring, while drummer Joshua Rogers lends the foundation with solid rhythm and unexpected flair.