Originally posted on July 1st, 2023
Today I’m going to be telling you about Las Vegas Hard Rock Band RIYAH!
I’ve been following them for a long time now, and I think not only are they wonderful songwriters, but have an amazing story, our activists, and have a huge heart for this community.
Here’s their story in their own words.
RIYAH Is:
Mariah Bongiovanni: lead vocals / lyricist / band manager.
Dru Shaw – lead guitar / backing vocals / multi instrumentalist composer.
Band Formation: “RIYAH was curated in January 2022 by Mariah, Dru, and a former member. Their first show was a show organized by Mariah at The Dive. The second show was at the famous Backstage Bar and Billiards put on by Crash City Rockers. Since then RIYAH has played multiple venues and events including Black Sheep Booking’s Fete de Femme event and the Desert Honey Pot event.”
Band Inspiration:
“Dru said that art imitates life and he finds inspiration for his art in everyday life. Mariah’s inspirations range from bands like Breaking Benjamin and Icon For Hire to amazing performers like Lady Gaga.”
One of my favorite songs of theirs right now is a wonderful hard rock song called “Stop the Bleeding”
Here’s the backstory of STB:
“In October 2020 I, Mariah, was in the psychiatric hospital for eleven days diagnosed with psychosis and Bipolar One Disorder. While being admitted to the hospital I heard the social worker tell my mom that I would never make it out of psychosis and that it was a slim chance I’d recover. Although it took me until February 2021 to fully recover, I did recover. So I wrote this poem as a fuck you to that social worker. Part of it I wrote in the hospital and I revised the song multiple times until it’s final form in 2022. The chorus talks about the fight you have with yourself to be a good person, to not be selfish and to stand up for what’s right even though it can be scary. I also mention that there were never any innocent days, the fentanyl drug epidemic is hitting high schools and we aren’t afraid to talk about it.”
Listen to
“Stop the Bleeding” on spotify:
“Stop the bleeding” Music Video: “The music video was inspired by a hotel that had that American horror story vibe called the Artisan. Unfortunately that place was remodeled and renamed so we got our music video to be filmed there before it was no more! I, Mariah, came up with the storyline for the music video and Gina Green helped direct the video while filming it and added the visuals.”
Watch the “Stop the Bleeding” video on youtube:
RIYAH’s message: “When the going gets tough know that we will fight for you. We will always stand up for what’s right for the community/ the Las Vegas Music Scene. We want to make a change. Through our music we hope you can relate and feel less alone. We can change the way things are run, we can change laws, we can stand up for what we believe in because together anything is possible. Las Vegas has a community like no other, so join us and let’s fight for some real change through activism, through music, through art. Much Love, Mariah & Dru”
Community Outreach:
Mariah: “Since May 2022 RIYAH has partnered with the nonprofit End Overdose and has had an End Overdose booth at every one of their shows. End Overdose is a harm reduction nonprofit organization providing resources to identify and treat an opioid overdose along with providing free narcan/naloxone and fentanyl testing strips. They are based in LA with chapters all over the country. Mariah and Nate Struod, a member of the RIYAH crew, together have started Las Vegas’ first official End Overdose chapter! The goal is to have every single music venue/bar in Las Vegas to be able to identify an overdose and have narcan to treat it. If you’re interested in volunteering direct message Mariah @riyahbandofficial on Instagram and Facebook.”
Activism:
“RIYAH will be announcing later in July their support to change Nevada Law 200.366 on sexual assault. It is outdated and does not distinguish between sexual assault and rape, making it impossible for anyone to be charged with sexual assault in the state of Nevada. Mariah will be holding a petition to change the law to follow California’s law on sexual assault and rape and will also be organizing a protest that will happen in the next three months or so. With the help of the community and many members of the LV music/art scene we truly believe we can get this law changed to help anyone of any gender who experiences sexual assault of any kind.”
What I love about RIYAH is how they have taken their pain and created beautiful art. Even when the journey is hard, you can still come out through the darkness being stronger than before. And with their activism they are showing their fans that you can overcome anything, and also to be kind and always stand up for what you believe in. I believe they are truly the real deal, and I think they have an amazing career ahead of them. And that’s why RIYAH is my Artist of the week!
For more information about RIYAH go to their Instagram @riyahbandolfficial
And RIYAH Band Official FB Page.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086342886195&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Photos courtesy of:
https://instagram.com/vato_triste?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
——-Vegas Music Scene