Canadiana singer-songwriter and self-proclaimed “celebrated folk icon” Ivan Rivers shares his newly recovered video for “Gettin’ On & Givin’ In” from his 2016 release, “It’s Mikey Here: The Lost Mikey Chuck Rivers Album.” The video, shot in 2011 when Rivers lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia and performed under the handle of the thinkin’ man’s drinkin’ man, Mikey Chuck Rivers, follows a young Rivers at his most playful, gently meandering around greater Haligonia while the melancholy and sentimental song hangs and lilts like a foreboding cloud. “You just let go / You just walk by / You get on / You give in.”
Directed by Curt Lobb (Nirvanna the Band the Show, The Dirties) and Aaron Michael Bell, the song paints Halifax and surrounding area as lush, ornate, and welcoming, whether it’s via a frisbee game on Citadel Hill, beers at Garrison Brewing, or late night donairs on Pizza Corner. Rivers performs by lighthouses, chunks of maritime shield, and in the middle of a house party held at his former Walnut Street abode.
The video was shelved after in the summer of 2011, shortly following the shoot, Rivers’ father died back home in Ontario. Years later, when the accompanying record was set to be released, Rivers endured two significant bouts of bipolar mania, one which prompted the shelving of the project and the Mikey Chuck Rivers nom de plume, and one which resulted in the release of the record under the title “It’s Mikey Here: The Lost Mikey Chuck Rivers Album,” let out into the world while Rivers was severely hypomanic.
The video now seeing the light of day lines up perfectly with the announcement of Rivers’ latest return to the east coast for the Tri Roots Tour with London’s Aaron Allen (of Aaron Allen & the Small City Saints) and Patrick Fockler.
June 20th: Old Village Free House, Newmarket, ON
June 21st: South Branch Bistro, Kemptville, ON
June 22nd: Barfly, Montreal, QC
June 23rd: Barnhouse Pub, Keswick, NB
June 24th: Gus’ Pub, Halifax, NS
June 26th: Plan B, Moncton, NB
June 28th: Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown, PE
June 29th: Avant-Garde Bar, Ottawa, ON
June 30th: Musiikki Cafe, Kingston, ON
Ivan Rivers’ latest releases, the EPs “Mystic Keg” and “Confidante,” will also be seeing a joint vinyl release through Eternal Bummer Records in early July, with release parties to follow this summer. A full-length follow-up is also currently in production with producer Andrew Patten (of Toronto’s The Most Loyal, The Whateverly Brothers). A celebrated folk summer ahead, indeed.
