Riley to release debut album

A few months ago, Ziona Riley was involved in so many musical groups she couldn’t even name all of them, though a few jumped to mind: Upfolk, The School of Synchronicity and Beauty Fall.

“I’ve been most influenced by the people around me,” Riley said. “Everyone I hang out with plays music or does something artistic.”

Now, with her debut album’s release just around the corner, the local musician said she is more focused on recording but still performs frequently.

“She’s a versatile singer, from country to alternative,” said Lilly Walker, who has performed in Upfolk with Riley and as a back-up vocalist for her solo shows. “She can come up with some really original hooks and choruses.”    

When Riley came to one of Upfolk’s shows, Travis Puntarelli, the organizer of the all-strings band, said, “Ziona’s in the house. Give her a guitar.”

“Her involvement was almost spontaneous,” Walker said after recounting the tale.

“She has an incredible voice,” Walker said. “It’s very mournful and unique.”

Upfolk, Walker said, will get back together at some point.

As for Upfolk, with its ever-changing lineup, Walker painted it as “a big group of friends, and we all bounce around into each others’ groups.”

Walker’s sister Evelyn is the cover artist for Riley’s upcoming debut album, which is being recorded at Rewind Records.

The release is set for Oct. 16, with a CD release show to be held at The SwitchYard.
“Her music is a mix between folk and 1950s classic country,” said Austin Hoke, fellow Bloomington musician. The country feel, he added, has crept in.

A bit surprised at the country classification at first, Riley agreed that “old country music is really pretty.”

She said her own music is strongly folk style and melodic, though.

“I can’t sing something without a beautiful melody.”

She’s also performed in the School of Synchronicity, which combined music with puppet shows, costumes and dancing.

The group played all around town, for an Indiana Forest Alliance Benefit and for the children at the Bloomington Meadows Hospital.

“The kids were super glum and depressed, but then they got involved,” Riley said.
Although Walker never played at the hospital, she heard from the other musicians that the children were inspired.

“They got up after the concert and showed their own songs, mostly Katy Perry and pop songs,” Walker said. “No one knew they had prepared them.”

Riley plans to work more with these groups in the future as they start up again, from Upfolk to the School of Synchronicity to the musical duo Beauty Fall she performed in with her friend Iris.

For the moment, however, Riley’s kept busy with her album production and part in the chorus for “Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party,” an IU Players’ production that will premiere Oct. 21.

While her musical plate is full, a birthday present has Riley particularly eager — soon, she’ll learn to play the autoharp.
Riley’s music can be heard at www.zionariley.bandcamp.com and www.myspace.com/zionasongs.