The Velvet Gentlemen
Riley Burke
Riley Burke Band has quickly become a prominent fixture in the Northeast Ohio music scene, establishing themselves as a standout pop/rock act rooted in their hometown of Youngstown, OH. Featuring singer-songwriter Riley Burke’s heartfelt storytelling—rich with clever lyricism and intriguing melodies—her captivating voice and powerhouse band of John James Martin, Quentin Melnick, and Matthew Striewski bring an exciting energy and an eclectic sound to the studio and stage. Together, the group infuses upbeat love songs and powerful rock ballads with hints of Americana, folk, and grunge, mastering multiple genres from one song to the next while maintaining a cohesive indie sound.
Through her music, Burke shares her coming-of-age experiences with the goal of empowering other young women to celebrate their authentic voices through writing and performing, too. Burke’s musical influences include notable songstresses like Joni Mitchell, Sara Bareilles, and Lizzy McAlpine, while her band packs a punch and draws influence from iconic rock artists like Led Zeppelin, Alanis Morissette, and No Doubt.
With only four years under their belt, Burke and her band are just getting started. In their inaugural year of performing, Riley Burke Band won the Summit FM-sponsored "Listeners' Choice Award at Youngstown State University's 2022 Federal Frenzy Music and Arts Festival. They went on to be voted in the Top 3 Best Local Bands for the Youngstown Vindicator’s Readers’ Choice Awards in both 2023 (Bronze) and 2024 (Silver). The group’s debut album, First Night at the Drive-In, was released in October of 2024, and they embarked on their first mini-tour the following summer, taking them throughout Ohio and Western, PA—including a weeklong residency at Cedar Point. Follow along: @rileyburke.music on social media, “Riley Burke” on all streaming platforms.
Socials:
Instragram -
https://www.instagram.com/rileyburke.music?igsh=MTlsNHU2YWxldW1zNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok -
https://www.tiktok.com/@rileyburke.music?_r=1&_t=ZT-97UaaNEC5oz
Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/share/1j7i7C817b/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CklUrP7Ebwdvs7qnqhram?si=0LDs_pTwQ2mCVrNeS5BuDw
Apple Music -
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/riley-burke/1645351201
Rustic Skies
Rustic Skies is an indie band from the Cleveland/Akron area fronted by an electric cello. Through songs that showcase the highs and lows of life and the human experience, their music blends jazz, funk and rock to bring a unique performance to the stage. Within their first year, they have had the honor of releasing four singles, performing at IngenuityFest and Folk and Flora Fest, opening for The Wildwoods, and being named Best New Artist in the 2025 Cleveland Music Awards.
Rustic Skies was founded by cellist Jessica Jonczyk, who wrote many of her songs between her classes as a teacher. She graduated in 2022 with her Music Education and Cello Performance degrees, having debuted in Severance Hall in 2025. Jessica uses her classical training and music theory studies to create music that challenges the traditions of songwriting and composition throughout the decades, alongside drummer Tom Nagle, bassist Max Frazier, and guitarist Andrew Schifano. From past to present, Rustic Skies takes elements of classical music and brings them into the rock scene
Get to the show early for Dinner and Drinks in The Rialto Living Room - Opening at 5:00pm!
Doors: 7:00pm / Showtime: 7:30pm
Age Requirement: There is a $5 surcharge for anyone under the age of 21 to be paid at the door.