Bluegrass has always been a genre that balances tradition and reinvention, and with Give It All Away, DownRiver Collective masterfully walks that line with confidence, craft, and soul. The Nashville-based ensemble—winners of the 2024 IBMA Momentum Band Award—deliver a debut full-length album that’s both a love letter to the genre’s roots and a thrilling statement of their artistic independence.
URL: https://www.downrivercollective.com/
From the first spin, it’s evident that Give It All Away isn’t content to rest on past formulas. The record bursts open with “Catch Me If You Can,” the band’s newly minted radio single premiered on SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction, and it sets the tone perfectly: punchy, fast-picking, and full of infectious energy. Co-written by the entire band, the song captures DownRiver’s signature blend of youthful urgency and seasoned musicianship, inviting listeners into their kinetic, deeply collaborative world.
Throughout its twelve tracks, Give It All Away unfolds like a story told around a campfire by players who know exactly when to blaze and when to let the embers glow. The band’s interplay—between Jonny Therrien’s clean, rhythmic guitar, Rico Wallenda’s nimble mandolin, Bailey Warren’s expressive fiddle, and John Gray Zahurancik’s banjo brilliance—is seamless and alive. Eli Broxham’s bass grounds the ensemble with a steady pulse, while producer Caleb Christopher Edwards adds tasteful electric guitar flourishes and a dynamic sonic clarity that gives the album its modern polish.
One of the album’s emotional peaks arrives with “Words of Wisdom (Bai’s Song),” a tender, reflective tune elevated by the unmistakable voice of Sonya Isaacs. Her crystalline harmonies intertwine beautifully with lead vocalist Ali Vance, whose own 2024 IBMA Momentum Vocalist nomination feels well-earned. The result is a deeply affecting track that feels timeless yet contemporary, a hallmark of what makes DownRiver Collective so compelling.
The band’s collaborative ethos shines in every note. You can hear it in “Come On Back,” featuring Grammy-winner Dan Tyminski, whose harmony work adds depth without overshadowing the ensemble’s identity. Their take on “Muleskinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)” is pure fire—a high-octane sprint through bluegrass history that manages to pay homage and push boundaries at once. It’s the kind of performance that leaves you catching your breath but hitting “repeat” anyway.
Lyrically, Give It All Away explores themes of resilience, belonging, and creative surrender. The title track feels like a mission statement for the band’s philosophy: that the true magic of bluegrass—and of music itself—comes from giving everything you’ve got. Their sound may be rooted in the traditions of Monroe and Scruggs, but their spirit leans forward, propelled by youthful curiosity and an unpretentious hunger to connect.
Having formed in 2018 as a trio at Belmont University, DownRiver Collective has evolved into one of the most exciting new voices in acoustic music. Their sold-out album release show at Nashville’s Station Inn only solidified what their fans already knew: this is a band destined for big stages and long roads.
Give It All Away is a confident debut that captures both the heart of bluegrass and the boundless creativity of a new generation. DownRiver Collective isn’t just carrying the torch—they’re reshaping the flame.
Mindy McCall
