Riven by Ravens is a hard rock band from sunny California, a musical phenomenon that combines a powerful progressive sound and melodic aggression with a cinematic scope. Since their formation in 2022 by Brian Havrilla and Paul Wilson, the band has quickly established itself as a new force on the alternative metal scene. But today, we have a special reason to pay attention: two new members, Joe Ambrecht (guitar) and Mikey McEvoy (bass guitar), have recently joined the group, marking a significant turning point in the history of Riven by Ravens. True to their sharp sense of humor and self-irony, the band members always find a way to lighten even the most serious atmosphere -whether during an interview or while recording their next powerful track. But don’t be fooled by their laid-back demeanor: behind that rebellious edge lies a powerful emotional core that has already found its way into the hearts of listeners around the world.

photo by Elle Jaye

We are happy to meet you again and pleasantly surprised that now there are twice as many of you! This is great news! Who joined your team? Tell us about the new members.

Paul: We are happy to announce we have added two new talented musicians to the band.: Joe on guitar and Mike on bass! We couldn’t be more excited to have them on board with us.
Joe: I enjoy long walks on the beach, sunsets and poking dead things with a stick.
Mikey: I’m Mike

It’s great to see how your team is growing! After all, a new lineup always means fresh ideas. With such reinforcement… what is now your main superpower?

Paul: Putting up with musicians.
Joe: Always being available.
Mikey: I’m Mike. I Love Lamp
Brian: What Mikey(Mike) means is that there’s a bright light in front of up. And on us..and around us. Us.

With the team expansion, new perspectives and unexpected ideas always come. And with two new members, things must have gotten even more interesting! So, reveal the secret: how has your creative process transformed with their arrival?

Paul: Theres nothing more exciting in a band than getting not one but two more sweaty dudes close together in our comfy little rehearsal space. Breathing, sweating, eating all the hot pockets and drinking all the wine coolers…The creative process so far has only been heightened and vastly expanded. It’s exciting.
Joe: Hopefully for the best, haha.
Brian: It’s changed because we have new ideas to add into the mix. Things we wouldn’t have thought of with just Paul and I It opens a lot of new creative doors.
Mikey: Well mostly having women want to biologically mate with me, ya know, like, doin’ like we do on the discovery channel. Meh…Meh. Can I change my answer?

With the new lineup, it seems like you have big plans ahead! What’s next – a new album, singles, music videos, or maybe something completely unexpected?

Paul: We are working on all those. We have some international wheels turning which is super exciting. But until things confirm it’s just pending excitement. Either way we are going to have some fun next year.
Joe: I’m looking forward to a busy year.
Brian: Booking shows in the coming year. Getting back into the studio to start work on a second album release. Revising our setlist and adding more songs to it. We’ll see what else we come up with and what comes along.
Mike: The music and….. stuff…hopefully…..great stuff..

You started the autumn season so powerfully! One of the first performances – and right away with legends like Buckcherry and Living Colour, and in an amphitheater. Share with us: how did that evening go?

Paul: The venue is downright amazing! It’s huge and well designed. Although our show got off to a late start and they cut our set short, it was a success. Nice big crowd and great weather. Hopefully we will be back there next year with some more big bands.
Joe: That night was everything I expected it to be while also throwing at us some unexpected things, but all in all it was a good experience and I enjoyed it.
Brian: I’ll refer to Mikey on this one. I think he’ll be more eloquent.
Mkey: Both bands good. We good too!

photo by Elle Jaye

Each of your songs has its own unique story, especially one as powerful as “Say What You Mean”. What inspired you to create it?

Paul: I just hit stuff ask Brian…
Brian: It’s about dealing with bad communication, asking internal questions about what is being misunderstood, and finally demanding that what’s being said is straightforward instead of being run around by illogical and manipulative words.
Mikey: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say. Says Mike.

“Grey Sky” and Charlie Chaplin — an unexpected but intriguing combination! How did the idea come to you to add a sample of his voice to the track?

Paul: That sample of Charlie Chaplin is from a film called, “The Great Dictator.” It’s a very powerful speech in the film. I have always loved it and wanted to sample it somehow in a song. Brian and I felt it fit the lyrics and song composition of “Grey Sky.” We reached out to the Chaplin family in France and their label and got the proper rights secured. It was a fun process and turned out perfect. It’s super fun to play live too.
Mike: Grey Sky = Dark Sky..RIght? Simple math.

So, I’ve got to ask—what’s the deal with the name Riven By Ravens? Like, where did it come from?

Paul: It’s from the dark depths of Bird band Hell.
Joe: Violence and birds worked for Hitchcock.
Mike: I learned that Ravens are huge black birds.
Brian: Sooo….I’m a nerd. I play way more Destiny 2 than I would like to admit. Riven is a character in that game. The word means,” violently ripped apart”. I watched all of Game of Thrones, Ravens were used to send messages, but that’s not real. Ravens are false messengers. So, Riven by Ravens means, “Violently Ripped Apart by False Messengers”.

Every new album is always a step forward and a new twist in the story. It’s interesting, what is currently fueling you with ideas and pushing you forward, what moods or events are inspiring you for the next album right now?

Paul: Winter months I tend to sit at the piano more and I usually write a lot more lyrics. Staying busy with things outside of music brings a lot of good inspiration and perspective to writing an album.
Joe: I’ve played a lot of death metal so my writing was always very aggressive in the past because I always felt angry. It would help with that type of writing. But I’ve felt more optimistic lately and with the guys being so creative it has been pushing my writing a different way. It’s better than it was now. I’m not shying away from ideas because they weren’t heavy.
Mikey: Mike play bass, bigger strings, stronger hands. Mike play bass good.

You know, it’s always interesting to find out what sounds inspire musicians outside of their own work. If we take a look at your personal playlists, what bands is each of you listening to right now?

Brian: Drowning Pool, Currents, Chevelle, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Mudvayne, Breaking Benjamin, Architects, Bad Omens, Muse, A Day to Remember.
Paul: Sleep Token, Crosses, Currents, Deftones, Karnivool, Jakob, Chevelle, Leprous, Osaka Punch, Soen, Unprocessed, Poem, Architects, Beartooth, Tool, The Pineapple Thief
Joe: Meshuggah, Faith No More, Archspire, Korn, Sevendust, Sturgill Simpson, Suffocation, A Life Once Lost, Misery Signals, Deftones
Mikey: Loud low sounds inspire Mike.

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