Sometimes it takes a challenge to motivate us to do something we may not have done otherwise, and so it was with Pittsburgh singer/songwriter Devin Russian. Russian routinely plays at the open mic at the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox, PA. If you have a real good memory, you may remember an article about his open mic from last year. One evening another open mic player, Wild Bill, challenged the musicians to write a song about the city they love. Russian took that challenge to heart and came up with the “Rivers of Pittsburgh” song.
Russian has lived in Pittsburgh for 20 years. He has come to love everything about the city. As anyone who has lived in or around Pittsburgh for any number of years, the rivers add a unique quality to the city. If you watch a live sporting event, inevitably the announcers will talk about the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers turning into the Ohio. If you are a sports fan you are probably chuckling to yourself as you know it’s true. Obviously with the rivers being that big of a part of the city, you obviously have a crazy amount of bridges. But did you know that Pittsburgh’s 446 bridges is more than any other city in the world including Venice. After recent events, I guess it may be actually be 445 now, but I digress.
Pittsburgh is such a diverse city as Russian would say. You can walk across a bridge and be in a totally different environment. But no matter what part of Pittsburgh your travels take you, the pride in the city are evident in most people you encounter. This common sense of being a part of something bigger is the inspiration behind “Rivers of Pittsburgh”. If you have never been to Pittsburgh, the music video gives a great peak into the magic of the Pittsburgh waterways and some of Pittsburgh’s other points of interest. If you are a Pittsburgh native, you will recognize most of the locations. The song itself reminds me of something you’d hear in one of Pittsburgh’s intimate music venues.
The song starts off with three notes played on a chime. This would not be significant except for the fact those same three notes are used multiple times during the chorus. I didn’t take notice the first time I played it, but after listening to it several times, I could see how these three notes were such a key element. They do not distract from the other elements of the song, but contribute to make this song unique. Right after the opening three notes, Russian’s acoustic guitar sucks you right into the melody.
I love the unexpected transition in the song after the first 1:30 where Russian shows his powerful vocals. I expected more of the same as the first third of the song and enjoyed the change after the opening. I could picture Russian performing an acoustic set of Incubus including one of my favorites Drive. Obviously it’s a different genre, but Russian’s vocals and guitar playing would have no problem.
Russian will be debuting “Rivers of Pittsburgh” and the side B, “Absence”, at Moondog’s Pub in Blawnox on February 19th. The doors open at 7 and the show begins at 8 pm. In addition to a performance by Devin Russian, Michael Berkey and special guest The Poor Souls will also be playing. The debut of the music video with all the Pittsburgh scenery will also be shown. I plan to come out to the release party and if you don’t already have commitments, come out and support a local Pittsburgh singer/songwriter. Here is a sneak peak of his new song without the new video.