Ears Wide Open: RIVVRS

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RIVRRS (Photo by David Cano)
RIVRRS (Photo by David Cano)

Former northern California sommelier RIVVRS, aka Brandon Zahursky, traded his wine glass for a guitar and moved down from the Bay Area to Los Angeles several years ago after it was discovered he had a knack for writing catchy, accessible tunes for television. TV land just wasn’t enough for the raspy-voiced singer-songwriter, however.

From his forthcoming second album, “Cosmic Dream,” co-produced by folk songwriter/producer Joshua James, RIVVRS has shared the second single, “Don’t Wanna Know.” In contrast to the anthemic hopefulness of the first single, “Don’t Give Up on Me,” “Don’t Wanna Know” is the jaded, cynical perspective of a lover who prefers that he and his partner keep their own secrets outside of their love affair. Against the backdrop of a bass and guitar quietly tiptoeing to a reggae beat, RIVVRS wearily sings, “I’m not always one to tell every secret of the night / ’Cause every person has a price tag / would trade a virtue for a dime bag.” The chorus then rises to a defiant sway, rocking out with harmonies, “Do you really wanna know? / I don’t think you wanna know …”

||| Stream: “Don’t Wanna Know” and “Don’t Give Up on Me”

||| Also: Watch the video for “Don’t Give Up on Me”

||| Live: RIVRRS performs March 20 at Resident, along with the Guest and the Host and Olivia Grace. Tickets.