The eclectic music of Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno will hold special appeal to a broad base of acoustic music lovers who are into folk, old-time or classic country. The duo’s debut album offers plenty of surprises from poignant ballads like “Biding All My Time” to breezy melodic jaunts like “You Don’t See Me.” From their home base in Portland, Oregon, the duo’s contemporary acoustic material is all original, yet has an old-time ethos with themes of sadness, goodbyes, and nostalgia such as Calcagno’s self-penned “On Account of You” and Leva’s “My Teardrops Say.” Together, Leva and Calcagno demonstrate their skill in writing emotional and intimate songs of love and remembrance such as “Good and Gone.” Presenting personal and accessible songs with meaning, they sing an evocative “Love and Chains,” touching “Leaving on Our Minds,” melancholy “Hollowed Hearts,” and questioning “On the Line.”  

Leva plays rhythm guitar, while Calcagno plays lead guitar and fiddle, as well as some frailing banjo for “On the Line.”  The duo is accompanied by Chris Stafford’s pedal steel, Sam Fribush’s piano, Matty Meyer’s drums and Trey Boudreaux’s bass. Arranged in fairly sparse settings, the songs emphasize touching words and welcoming messages. On their foundation of relaxed instrumental country twang, the duo’s alluring vocals provide for wistful reflection. Leva and Calcagno come across as genial, affable, approachable acoustic musicians tapping their hearts to share profound musical statements. Their kinship to traditional music is strong, yet they explore their own feelings to write and sing enchanting folk and Americana with fresh outlooks. It’s a passionate lyrical style reinforcing that the hills are close friends who bring comfort, reassurance and contentment. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)