Mikey James - vocal, guitar

Anthony Kuhn - guitar, vocal

Jeremy Stoner - bass, tuba

Tommy Formicola - pedal steel guitar

Pete DeLoe - guitar, vocal

Christos Dembeyiotis - drums

Biography

In an age when it's increasingly difficult to discern what's actually real, Singing River stand poised to point the way forward with our sanity—and good taste—intact. With their upcoming EP Shoutin' Good Time, the roots/Americana sextet issues a timely reminder that music requires the human spirit in order to give it life, and that the art of curation will never go out of style. Long before machines could reproduce genres entirely on their own, living-breathing artists all too often succumbed to the temptation to freeze musical traditions in the past rather than keep them alive. For Singing River, this distinction forms the lifeblood of their existence as a band. 

After recording primarily as a duo for their 2024 full-length Talkin' Destination Blues, co-founders Mike James and Anthony Kuhn re-constituted the group as a full-blown six-piece ensemble for Shoutin' Good Time. Naturally, this gave James and Kuhn more colors and timbres to work with, resulting in a spirited blend of rockabilly ("King of the Minor Leagues"), ragtime ("I Thought I Heard Bob Dylan Say"), No Depression-influenced anthems ("Lost by the River"), and a three-way intersection between Nashville twang, Memphis soul, and rock (the title track)—along with James and Kuhn's fascination with pre-war jazz and blues, and folk. 

The release of leadoff single "King of the Minor Leagues" celebrates Major League Baseball's World Series while cleverly sending-up the pursuit of success. Over a driving rockabilly backbeat, James sings from the perspective of a protagonist who showed a flash of promise "only for a couple of weeks," as he hopelessly woos a lady who's way out of his league. Like so many other images in the Singing River universe, baseball—once universally regarded as America's pastime and a unifying cultural force—serves as a relic of a bygone era. That said, the band isn't trying to flee from the present by living in the past. On the contrary, all of their music brims with the hope and promise that we can once again find ourselves by simply retrieving what we've lost. 

"We were never looking to be confined to that 'old-time' stereotype," says James. "For me, the American song tradition is still very much alive and well—you just have to recognize that it's there. It's literally in us. Everything from Buddy Bolden to Mavis Staples to Hank Williams to any of their modern descendants. Because they were just the latest incarnation of what came before them. I mean, just think of all the un-sung artists who paved the way for them. It's endless. The great ones synthesize the musical language they learned and turn it into something entirely their own. No machine can ever do that, but it's up to us whether we lose that skill or not. Because we've always had people who were just playing dress-up. That's never been my thing."

REVIEWS & FEATURES

Welcome to the Woodshed podcast (Mikey James - December 2024 interview)

“Gritty and emotion-filled.” – American Songwriter

“Here, alt-country riffs, Americana licks and poised pop accessibility are the order of the day. Gideon’s Bible” has the same old but new vibe that The Band delivered back in the day, “She Feels Like A Diamond” takes this same style in a more soulful direction – roots-rock ‘n’ soul – and “Born in The Spirit of ’76” is the sort of song that Tom Petty would have paid good money to get his hands on back in the day. Talkin’ Destination Blues is the sound of the old taking root in the new, and ensuring that Singing River is a band that every discerning music fan keeps at least one eye on.” -The Big Takeover

“With Anthony Kuhn adding distinctive slide work, James has rediscovered the joy of making music for music’s sake and working with a partner again. Recording and producing the music themselves in their collective home studios, the result is what James likes to call “northern folk.” it’s a reference to his admiration for the likes of Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Robbie Robertson, and Bob Dylan.  And on ‘Everyday Love‘ you may just be able to detect the tiniest hint of the Jayhawks.” – Americana UK

“The duo have brought together influences from Americana, folk, and rock, and have created a carefully crafted sound that is a wandering welcome, a sound that refreshes and cleanses the palette; being anything but pretentious, and so very well worked out.” - Music For Misfits

“A memorable Americana sound persists throughout Talkin’ Destination Blues…an absorbing success from Singing River.” - Obscure Sound

“With only eight tracks that clock in at under 26 minutes, 'Talkin' Destination Blues,' delivers a powerful emotional experience without dragging on. Songs like "I Keep Running," and "She Feels Like a Diamond," shine with heartfelt lyrics and a timeless quality, highlighting James' growth as a songwriter. This album feels perfect for relaxing on a porch at sunset or cruising down the Mississippi River.” -Earmilk

“Singing River left me stuck on repeat with their new release, “Talkin’ Destination Blues” an Americana album that masterfully blends nostalgia and innovation.” - Cheers to the Vikings

“There’s a touch of the classic about Singing River’s sound but they pair it with a modern edge that makes it accessible for just about everyone. Soulful vocals are the order of the day in their new album, as well as some timeless song-writing and uplifting instrumentals. It’s true comfort listening.” - York Calling

"Everyday Love” delivers a wonderfully bright and soaring slice of folk-pop gold” - Mystic Sons

“Take a nice dose of Tom Petty style folk rock and add in some modern folk stylings, you’ll come out with a sound that’s rewarding like Singing River’s “Everyday Love.” The lyrics are sure to make the “everyday lovers” appreciate the blessings that they have. The energy on the guitars and the moving rhythm feels like a big old batch of nostalgia. There’s even a Beatles-esque tone throughout the track. This is one to play for the old rock heads in your life and see who they guess it is. It’s a really good feeling 60s-rooted vibe with modern connections.” - Ear to the Ground

“Former Longwave drummer channels T-Bone Burnett on rustic new project” – Rock and Roll Globe

“Mikey James’ artist path has meandered and wounded through a number of idiosyncratic lives. From developing demos on a 4-track in the early 90s to drumming with indie rock wonders Longwave, James has lived the life of a bonafide troubadour. The ebb and flow of his career has now led him to another high, reunited with an old bandmate in the form of Anthony Kuhn. Together, they’re creating some of the most captivating music that either has ever made.” – For Folk’s Sake