E.P.K.
With what Pop Matters describes as "tenacious swagger," locally acclaimed solo artist Ashleigh Flynn, from Portland, OR, recently dialed up the volume and debuted an all-female rock band as a nod to the “Rosie the Riveter” archetype from WWII.
Flynn grew up in Kentucky and cut her teeth on local bluegrass music and Motown. A prolific songwriter and performer blessed with unbridled charisma, she arrived on the Americana scene in 2008 with the release of her third LP, American Dream, a poetic lament to the elusiveness of that national ethos. A Million Stars followed in 2013 – a rollicking journey celebrating the women pioneers of the American West.
Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters’ inaugural LP hit the streets in 2018 featuring a sound that hearkens back to early Stones, ‘70s psychedelic country rock, and alternately charms like a Sunday afternoon front porch session. Produced by her longtime musical collaborator, Chris Funk of the Decemberists, the 10 original tracks feature Flynn’s soulful vocals and compelling brand of songwriting, amped-up and virtuously enveloped by the electric guitar work of Nancy Luca. Luca honed her style and skill playing with Tom Petty and Bo Diddley.
In 2023, Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters (AF&TR) remain a musical homage to “Rosie the Riveter,” whose brand inspired a social movement for women to work in America. AF&TR released their first studio album in late 2018 to stellar reviews and a multitude of live performance opportunities until the COVID19 pandemic shut down the live music industry. The Riveters persevered with the release of a live album in 2020, followed by more glowing reviews and multiple major West Coast festival plays.
AF&TR continue to break boundaries – like the Rosie’s of the World War II production era. With a batch of new songs in their arsenal, AF&TR embarked on the production of Studio Album Number 2 with a queer female producer and engineer at the helm. While the band itself is making regional waves in a genre underrepresented by female and queer bands (Americana/Country/Rock); queer female engineers and producers are an anomaly in this genre (with the recent exception of Brandi Carlile!).
With a summer tour in the books, the band hits the road soon and will put the final touches on its second record for release in late 2023/early 2024.
Notable Performances
Festivals
Cascadia Equinox Festival 2023
Redding Roots Revival 2023
Oregon Country Fair 2023 - mainstage
Davis Music Festival 2023
Hangtown Halloween 2022
Juniper Jam 2022
The Britt Festival 2022
Missoula River Roots 2022
High Sierra Music Festival 2022
Sawtooth Family Gathering 2021
Kate Wolf 2019
Wildwood 2019
Oregon Country Fair 2019 - mainstage
Missoula River Roots 2019
Tours
Lavender Country
Amy Ray Band
The Wood Brothers
Hayes Carll
Todd Snider
Billy Joe Shaver
Venues
Topaz Farm - Portland, OR (Sold Out)
The Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
The Lot at Zidell Yards – Portland, OR
The Sweetwater - Mill Valley, CA
Terrapin Crossroads – San Raphael, CA
Moe’s Alley – Santa Cruz, CA
Grand Ol’ Echo – Los Angeles, CA
McCabes Guitar Shop – Santa Monica, CA
The State Room – Salt Lake City, UT
The Top Hat – Missoula, MT
Kind words
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The “best in show” award goes to Flynn & the Riveters... Live from the Blue Moon is a glowing, spirited hootenanny that gives the people what they want - a rip-roaring good time. – Elmore Magazine
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Across twelve energetic tracks, Flynn & the Riveters seamlessly blend honky tonk country, roots rock, wash-bucket folk...jangly, raspy, loose-limbed and ambling in all the best ways. – Country Queer
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Flynn & the Riveters’ new album, Live from the Blue Moon, spotlights their freewheeling sound with an audience of admirers. Part bluegrass, part Americana and wholly down-home... these talented ladies bring the house down. - Goldmine
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“Ashleigh Flynn and the Riveters were a great addition to the River City Roots Fest in Missoula this summer. They put on a great, high-energy show and the buzz is still going on. I highly recommend these women. I know that we will be seeing them in Missoula again.” – Ellen Buchanan, Director - River City Roots Festival 2019
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“Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters laid down one of the best sets of this years festival, Tight professional rollicking Americana that defies geography. From the soul of the City to the call from the Holler you won’t find a better band.” - Brian Keogh – Mainstage Coordinator, Oregon Country Fair 2019
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Ashleigh's new record is KILLER. She is in top form with one hell of a band. – Oliver Wood
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Flynn & the Riveters come out of the gate rocking. The inner sleeve carries the tagline, “songs assembled here,” and that’s no lie. – No Depression
Versatile Options
The Riveters are an army of accomplished musicians, available in multiple configurations (solo to seven-piece combo):
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Carmen Paradise – bass, vocals
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Liz Chibucos – electric guitar, vocals
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Jenny Conlee – piano, keys, organ
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Nancy Luca – electric guitar
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Kat Fountain – harmonica, vocals
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Leila Chieko – drums
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Kathryn Claire – fiddle