Riva

Riva is a singer-songwriter from the prairies and a member of the Timiskaming Algonquin First Nation. She has written, released, and toured three records across Canada and throughout the United States with the critically acclaimed band Sylvie. As a member of Sylvie, Riva has toured with such notable groups as Wintersleep, Said the Whale, Minus the Bear, and Death From Above 1979.

Since returning to school to obtain her degree in law, Riva has put aside amps and distortion pedals for more readily accessible creative outlets: the acoustic guitar and her computer. Her first steps as a solo artist began with a nationally broadcast performance of the Sylvie song “When We Were Young” at the Truth and Reconciliation Town Hall Meeting from the CBC studios in Regina. Since that time, Riva has started to build a solid repertoire of songs that incorporate wistful tones and melodies borrowed from the voice, cello, organ, and guitar. In February 2011, Riva performed “Firelight”, a single off her upcoming record, at the CBC studios in Regina for “e-miywahkamikah: A Metis Celebration”. Riva is currently finishing up material for her first solo record and will be a featured performer at the SaskMusic showcase for the Aboriginal Music Week 2011 in Winnipeg.