Every month, NPR asks 10 public-radio music curators to share the songs they’re loving right now.
This early-winter mix doesn’t disappoint. West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Joni Deutsch (host of A Change of Tune and producer/guest host of NPR’s Mountain Stage) shared her favorite song with NPR’s Weekend Edition.
Listen to her recap of the music below. Make sure to keep up with her indie/alternative program “A Change of Tune” to discover even more emerging music from the Mountain State and beyond.
Joni's Pick: Fil Bo Riva, 'Like Eye Did' from If You're Right, It's Alright Fil Bo Riva is not your typical 24-year-old singer-songwriter. Born in Rome and schooled by monks in Dublin, Riva began his career in music relatively recently as a busker in Berlin. He's got a raw, soulful voice that easily draws comparisons to Benjamin Clementine, George Ezra or Tom Waits. "Like Eye Did," the first song from Riva's debut EP, If You're Right, It's Alright, is an explosive track written in response to a relationship gone sour. Within seconds, you can hear Riva's soul tearing its way out through his voice as he recounts the story of that unrequited love, a guttural lament fueled by the sort of rejection and introspection we've all experienced. And when the chorus picks up, you begin to hear almost-comical bubble pops in the background, as if love's fragile, idyllic dream is sure to pop without notice, without resolve. Between his captivating voice and dynamic production, Riva is sure to keep us coming back for more.