PhilAnthem

Rivers Monroe Discusses Dreams of Stardom

Since it is towards the end of winter, it’s a surprisingly mild night in King of Prussia, which outside of the mall looks a lot like the middle of nowhere, . The two-floor home of two Rivers Monroe members would look like the home of the all-American family if not for the red sub-compact parked on the front lawn. Mike Reading, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the power-pop quintet, opens the door revealing a slightly refined fraternity house interior and immediately offers a beer. Mike, in his home-for-the-night duds, a white hooded sweatshirt with white basketball shorts and sand-colored flip-flops, welcomes me as well as Mat Welch, on vocals and keyboard for the group, still wearing his yellow dress shirt and black slacks from his day job working in a government office. Shortly after the warm welcome, lead guitarist Matt Varga, known to Rivers Monroe as “Doc”, showed up also dressed in day job attire: a silk maroon shirt and tie with black slacks with freshly shined black dress shoes.

The two crooners and lead ax man recently hung out with me in their basement on their suede sectional couch, the 90s style (i.e. massive) flat-screen TV at a low hum and beers in hand to discuss their creative process, recent music video releases, some of their future goals and the Philadelphia scene today. Find out what they think after the break.  (more…)