Promote Positive Change: Rivermaker’s Story

Maurice White from the band Rivermaker–who will be performing at the upcoming youbloomLA 2017 Music Summit & Festival–shares his band’s challenging yet inspiring past and their socially aware vision.  

Surreal Beginnings

At Cal Poly Pomona, Maurice met Austin, the band’s guitarist, at a jam session organized by the band’s drummer, Brooks. A “mutual love for the craft of creating eruptive sounds” brought the band together then, in 2009.   Their influences range from Little Dragon, The Police, Sade, and even “good culinary creations” or “the LA political and social system.” Since their beginnings, however, they’ve endured more than just typical band disputes. Lamentably, their lyricist, frontman, and friend passed away in an untimely manner. Their mutual dedication to music allowed them to keep going so that they “evolved and reconstructed into a power trio.”  

Maurice aims to “promote positive change”

Unlike most bands, Rivermaker has had a politically in-tune past and strives to sustain their community-minded themes. They volunteer with groups such as the Los Feliz Lions Club in order to, as Maurice states, raise money to “help the visually impaired” and to “push for grand change in our city toward the aim of public transit.”   Their active schedule–split between music and social awareness–can sometimes be exhausting. Having been “previously involved in politics” by “campaigning, protesting, [and] organizing”, their toughest challenge is maintaining balance and sanity.  

Looking Forward to youbloomLA

Rivermaker is hoping to “give a strong musical performance” at youbloomLA for their first year there. Maurice stated that they have attended similar industry events before, but “not to the same magnitude.” They will be performing songs from their first full length album, expected to release in May 2018, along with a few songs from their EPs.   Their intentions also are to foster a relationship with “record label executives and producers” who could “provide guidance on how Rivermaker can record a timeless album that exemplifies the quality of our hard-worked and heartfelt songs.” And to have their music featured in films by interested individuals is another goal of theirs for youbloomLA.   The music world is, according to Maurice, “what [they] make it.” We’re anticipating that they’ll make it great at youbloomLA!   –  

Attention music lovers!

Youbloom is looking for passionate individuals to join our team for youbloomLA: our annual Music Summit and Festival! Follow the link below to learn more.   https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzFR-OdsG41_bHg4VnNWVlFWa3ZFd2hxNjN5UE5MR1RVQzlz