By Scout Nicholson / The Jambar
This year is all about writing and collaboration for Riley Burke Band, led by Riley Burke, as it tackles its next album. Burke’s band concluded their Midwest mini tour this summer after the release of its debut album, “First Night at the Drive-In,” in 2024.
Based in Youngstown, Burke plays alongside guitarist Quentin Melnick, keyboardist John James Martin, bassist Matthew Striewski and drummer Lance Batton.
Burke said she grew up taking piano lessons and began singing in fourth grade. In fifth grade, she played the lead in a production of ‘Annie’ and knew then that music was her calling.
“I realized that’s when I was like, ‘Okay, this is what I’m meant to do with myself, I’m gonna sing.’ So, I picked up the guitar and ukulele in seventh, eighth grade-ish,” Burke said.
For over a decade, Burke has been performing for her local church, St. Joseph’s, in Austintown. Burke said that the experience has greatly strengthened her voice.
Burke began writing music during her early days at Kent State University, where she majored in speech pathology and audiology. She now attends the Northeast Ohio Audiology Consortium at the University of Akron.
“I started getting into voice performance, and I guess [at] the same time I started college, [COVID-19] happened … I had a lot of time on my hands for like the first time ever … So, I decided to start writing music. I really fell in love with that, and then when the world started opening back up, I was like, ‘I need a band,’” Burke said.
From there, she created her debut single, “Mtv,” which was recorded at Court Street Productions in Canfield. This was her only solo recording.
“I didn’t have [the band] on it, and I really like it, but it didn’t feel as authentic to me as making music with them. So, I wanted to include them in that process and start booking shows as Riley Burke Band,” Burke said.
Burke and the band then released six singles, three of which are included in “First Night at the Drive-In.” All the songs were produced in the home studio of Jared Fullerman, YSU alum and No Funk No Justice band member.
“A lot of songs on there are from when I was 18. And now, I’m 23, about to be 24. So, it’s almost like my whole young adulthood, like late teens combined into one album, kind of about my coming of age and growing up and trying to be my own person,” Burke said.
For Burke’s next album, she hopes to work more on collaboration. At this point, Burke primarily writes lyrics and creates the vocal melody, while the band focuses more on the instrumentation.
“One of my big goals for the year is to be more open to collaborating and less afraid of like, ‘Oh, what if people don’t think this is good?’ Because it honestly doesn’t matter. We’re not trying to make something that’s good. I just want everything that I write to feel authentic to me and healing in a way,” Burke said.
This year, apart from writing a new album, Riley Burke Band has many upcoming performances. The band will perform March 14 at Brothers Lounge in Cleveland, March 21 at Penguin City Brewing Co. and May 29 at Jill’s Music Room in Akron.
Those interested can check out the band’s music on Spotify and Apple Music.
Kicker – Pop Stars and Indie Bars (like spitting bars idk)
Cutline – Youngstown indie pop group The Riley Burke Band will perform at Penguin City Brewing Co. on May 29.