We caught up with Ryan O’Keefe — vocalist and guitarist for the Asheville, North Carolina folk quartet River Whyless — as the band gears up for their performance at Meadowlark Festival in Stone Ridge, New York, September 12–14.
Since forming in 2009, River Whyless has carved out a unique space by blending traditional folk roots with modern indie textures, creating songs that feel both intimate and expansive. O’Keefe reflected on the band’s collaborative songwriting process, the balance between personal voices and a collective identity, and the way nature-inspired settings like Meadowlark can shape a performance. River Whyless’ most recent album, Monoflora, continues their tradition of layered, communal storytelling.
Don’t miss them live at Meadowlark — tickets and info at MeadowlarkFest.org. Keep up with the band at RiverWhyless.com.
