Viv & Riley

Viv & Riley are Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno, a duo based in Durham, North Carolina. Both came up in traditional music circles before forming the pair: Leva grew up in a family of old-time musicians in Virginia, and Calcagno played in string bands in the Pacific Northwest. They met through that world and began writing together, first releasing music under their own names before settling on the duo billing.

Their songs pair original writing with fiddle, guitar and close two-part harmony, drawing on Appalachian and old-time repertoire while leaning toward contemporary folk and country arrangements. They also perform traditional material, and Calcagno has played with the Onlies.