Artist Profiles: The Rifters of New Mexico

The Rifters are a musical group that originated in the vibrant and creative music scene of Taos, New Mexico in 2002. The band was formed by three members, Jim Bradley and Don Richmond from Hired Hands, and Rod Taylor from the Rounders, who had known each other for years, playing in the acoustic dance-oriented Americana music scene of northern New Mexico.

The Rifters’ music is a blend of a wide range of acoustic and electric instruments, combined with soaring three-part harmonies, resulting in a mesmerizing variety of music ranging from cinematic bluegrass to ethereal desert beauty. The band’s roots in playing for dance crowds in their northern New Mexico homeland have contributed to a toe-tapping rhythm that is engaging and captivating. With a lineage of bands such as Hired Hands, the Rounders, and South by Southwest, The Rifters are an authentic voice of their region, capturing the essence of the high desert vistas and mountain majesty.

The Rifters’ music is a reflection of their home and background experiences. They describe their music as a mix of laid-back high-energy gentle giant old blue-buffalo-grama-grassy, cowboy, folky, shake-a-leg with a smile sort of thing, drawing inspiration from the high desert and mountain landscape of their home. The name “Rifters” was chosen as it represents bridging gaps and bringing people together, rather than a split or a gap, similar to the Rio Grande Rift that they all live on or around. The Rifters’ music serves as a connection between different times and places, providing a unifying and uplifting experience to their listeners.

The Rifters have released seven albums to date, including their latest, The Enchanted World (2023), on Howlin’ Dog Records. The album features 14 songs, 10 of which are originals or co-writes. Several of the songs pay tribute to the ranching and western life, with all of its complexities and challenges, and the beauty of the landscape of the ranching west. The album’s themes revolve around finding one’s way through life’s challenges, including the difficulties of maturing, environmental awareness, and financial struggles. Throughout the album, there is a constant thread of wonder and gratitude for the enchanting world we inhabit.

The Rifters were honored to participate in their friend Eliza Gilkyson’s acclaimed 2022 release, “Songs From the River Wind,” produced by Don Richmond and featuring the Rifters on harmony vocals. The Rifters are renowned for their “Southwestern Americana” rhythmic acoustic-based music, featuring exceptional musicianship and soaring harmonies, reflecting the beauty of the high desert land of mountains, mesas, valleys, and canyons they call home.

(headlime image: The Rifters – Photo by Teri McCartney)

Discography:

The Rifters (2004)
Live at the Sagebrush
The Great River ‎(Howlin’ Dog Records, 2011)
Architecture Of A Fire ‎(Howlin’ Dog Records, 2016)
Live at the Uptop
Passes and Peaks (2019)
The Enchanted World (Howlin’ Dog Records, 2023)

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.