The River Otters

The River Otters are a post-folk trio wandering the sonic borderlands of culture memory and brazen invention. When Robinson met percussionist, engineer, and producer David Barrett, they occupied opposite ends of the musical spectrum. David was classically trained and methodical. Robinson was reared in the folk tradition and prone to improvisation. They worked at a music store in the early days, Robinson hawking guitars, and David focusing on Pro Audio. They began rehearsing together and developed a distinctive sound. Their 2017 debut release incorporated elements both folkloric and avant-garde. The sylvan romp, “I Don’t Know This Ghost”, remains a part of their live set.

Michael Buckley, a jazz and rock guitarist, joined The River Otters on 5-string bass. A gifted lead player, he contributed melodic counterpoint, subtle harmonies, and dexterous runs that elevated their songs to new levels of musicality. As a trio The River Otters began focusing on instrumentals, inspired by American Primitivist pioneer, John Fahey, as well as a host of jazz composers such as Ahmad Jamal, Gabor Szabo, Alice Coltrane. As Robinson’s writing grew more evocative and complex, they conjured a broad range of sonic landscapes, tone poems, and abstract narratives.