Photo by Susan Quinn

Photo by Susan Quinn

 
 

New Haven-based duo Rivener’s lysergic improvisations are shape-shifting explorations of no wave, noise, free-jazz and psych with some elements loosely rooted in the rock tradition--ineffable expressions of the human spirit. Intrepid seekers always listening for the signs, guitarist/percussionist Paul Belbusti (Mercy Choir) and drummer Michael Kiefer (Myty Konkeror/No Line North) mangle, stretch, bend, and breathe new meaning into these influences with subtle dynamic shifts, conjuring stormy, cosmic clouds of sound. This is the true freedom rock...so turn it up, man! 

 

press

Blastitude’s Larry Dolman discusses Rivener S/T during a time of quarantine: “…an otherwise silent non-social deep-internal (pandemic-appropriate) cerebral/personal/psychic experience.” April, 2020

Terminal Boredom review of Rivener S/T, Summer 2018

Rivener S/T included in Avant Music News' Picks of the Week, February 2018

Rivener S/T reviewed in Terrascope, January 2018

Rivener S/T reviewed in Big Takeover Magazine, January 2018

Rivener S/T reviewed in Blurt Magazine, November 2017

Rivener S/T in Heavy Blog is Heavy's Editors' Picks of the Month, September 2017

Rivener S/T reviewed in The Vinyl District, September 2017

"a highly communicative and wholly satisfying eponymous effort...a fresh chapter to the free-rock book."

Rivener S/T reviewed in Can This Even Be Called Music?, September 2017

Rivener S/T reviewed in Yellow Green Red, September 2017

        listen/buy

The Wire Magazine, Dec 2016

The Wire Magazine, Dec 2016

The Cut-Up, Feb 2017

The Cut-Up, Feb 2017

 

Svengali Gaze reviewed by Terrascope, March 2017.

“Dynamic improvisation between drums and guitar hitting every right note…this album is heavier than most things this year.” — Ryan Hall, Tome to the Weather Machine

Svengali Gaze reviewed by The Metal Dad, November 2016.

New Haven Independent concert review w/Xylouris White & Marisa Anderson, November 2016

Rivener's Svengali Gaze included in Avant Music News' Picks of the Week, November 2016.

Best of 2015 Honorable Mention from Avant Music News

Rivener featured in The Hartford Courant by Michael Hamad, September 2015

Nice mention/review of Fires in Repose in Terrascope Online, July 2015

Review of Fires in Repose in Cassette Gods, June 2015

Review of Fires in Repose in Tome to the Weather Machine, April 2015

Fires in Repose featured in IMPOSE Magazine's Week in Pop, April 2015

Rivener's debut Fires in Repose included in Avant Music News' Picks of the Week, March 2015