The second I hit play on the opening track “Nose to Nose” of Riverby’s debut full length album Smart Mouth, I immediately thought to myself, “this is going to be a fun album to listen to.” I don’t know if that’s just me being biased because of how much of a music lover I am, but I swear I mean it. Riverby really knocked it out of the park with this record out via Take This To Heart Records. Riverby is an emo/indie rock band bursting out of Philadelphia that consists of songwriter/guitarist/vocalist August Greenberg (they/them), Tyler Asay on guitar, Doug Keller playing bass, and Dan Nazario on drums. I fucking hate writing For Fans Of’s, but if I was forced to think of a few for Riverby I would say Oceanator, The Sonder Bombs, and The Beths.

Track 2 of the album is the title track Smart Mouth. This song wastes no time getting right to the point, and in your face about it. Greenberg says the song is all about them reclaiming sex and taking back control what they thought they once lost after a traumatic experience. They took the time they needed to heal and look inside themselves, and while doing so they were screaming at the top of their lungs, “I can’t wait to wipe the blood from my mouth.” You can hear in Greenberg’s vocal melodies & accentuation in the choruses the strength and emotion behind their words.

The energy of the album stays consistent going into Track 3 Giving Tree with a fun, chorus guitar lead starting us off. We slow things down at the next song Out of Tune. This might be a personal favorite just for the lyrical content alone (anyone who knows me personally knows I’m always a sucker for a self-loathing love song). The chorus hook you’ll say that I am out of tune, but I can’t sing in your key will be stuck in my head for days and weeks to come.

“I began writing The Tell-Tale Heart when I was nineteen years old, starting with the second verse. It was after the most painful break up of my life, but it wasn't a song that I could finish until 2018 when I experienced a similar heartache. I started writing a different song and realized I was just writing the same thing that I had started all those years ago. It took about twenty minutes for me to put the two songs together and write the chorus, based upon Edgar Allen Poe's short story. Sometimes the heart you hide beneath the floorboards is your own -- just like the pain you don't want to feel is yours to experience.” says August about the first single release from the album.

There’s so much relatable lyric content throughout the album, dreamy guitar tones, thick bass lines, and well crafted drumming that inspires me to jump behind the kit right now. There’s so much raw, honesty and hurt spewed all over this album, but at the same time it is a story- a survivor’s story. I hope people who listen to this who have unfortunately experienced some trauma in their lives, can find solidarity in Greenberg’s writing.
The album perfectly closes with In My Dreams- a beautiful send off after a whirlwind of emotions.

Riverby recently contributed a cover song for a Rilo Kiley cover comp No Bad Words For The Coast Today: The Execution of All Things where 50% of all sales go to G.L.I.T.S. and they also put out a small acoustic EP on Bandcamp where 100% of all proceeds now and forever go to the Philadelphia Bail Fund.

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What advice do you have for young queer kids who want to express themselves artistically but might have reservations?
Advice I have for younger queer kids is to take your time. Do things at your own pace and never feel pressured by how other people are moving around you. Start slow. If you feel reserved or nervous about being true to who you are in public, maybe start with just a few things in your writing. I know when I was younger, I forced myself to use heteronormative pronouns and language in my writing, singing about men when the songs were really about women or people who were gender nonconforming. I did it out of the initial fear of being judged or ostracized, especially when I was first writing in a very small minded town. If you feel a little brave, change pronouns in your songs to fit what you want. Then maybe use a name. Whatever you do, don’t compare your pace to other queer performers around you. Some are more comfortable in their skin, some came out of the gate knowing exactly who they are and what they want. People like King Princess or Hayley Kiyoko, girl in red, etc who you never really had to guess who they loved — they’re not people to catch up to. Be true to yourself at the pace you’re comfortable with. Never let anyone or anything pressure you into jumping into water you don’t want to swim in.

What is your fondest show or tour memory that comes to mind right away?
My fondest show memory has to be the last full band show we played in December 2019. It was at Dawson Street Pub, a bar where my guitarist and I both work. It was packed with all of our friends dancing and singing, we were just completely surrounded by so many people who we love. I remember covering ‘Maps’ by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and hearing everyone sing along with us — it was a perfect ending to 2019. But little did we know that was the last show we would all play together. I can’t wait to be able to safely return to live music so we can make more sick memories with everyone.

Dream tour- If you could open for any 2 bands on a tour right now, who would it be?
Locally, I would absolutely die to do a show with Kississippi and Chub Rub. That is my DREAM. Nationally, I would love to open for Bartees Strange and Illuminati Hotties.

Catch Riverby live on November 29th virtually for Get Alternative’s Streaming Sundays livestream on Twitch with A Day Without Love, Mobina Galore, and Record Setter.

Album Review: Riverby "Smart Mouth"