Kyle Riabko
(born 29 September 1987) is a Canadian pop singer, accomplished guitarist, and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He resides in New York City.
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KYLE RIABKO TICKETS
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Music career
Riabko has been performing since the age of 10. At age 12, he toured Eastern Canada as part of the band Bluesway Express.
[1] He began his international music career during his junior year of high school when he toured with
John Mayer,
Buddy Guy, and
Jason Mraz, among others. He was signed to
Aware/Columbia Records in 2003 on a five-year contract.
His full-length album
Before I Speak
was released
19 April 2005, just a few months before his high school graduation. He wrote each song on the album. Riabko played
guitar and
bass for the recording along with backing from former
Prince drummer
Michael Bland and former
Grapes of Wrath keyboardist
Vince Jones. Both
Liz Phair and
Robert Randolph appear on the album contributing guest vocals.
Before I Speak
was co-produced by Riabko with Matt Wallace and
Chris Burke-Gaffney, who acts as Riabko's manager.
Most of the album's recording took place at Sound City in Los Angeles. The tracks "Before I Speak" and "Doesn't Get Much Better" were recorded in Riabko's bedroom at his parents' home just prior to the completion of the album. Three singles were released from the album: "Carry On", "Do You Right", and "What Did I Get Myself Into".
Prior to the release of
Before I Speak
, a six-track EP was released which includes two songs that are not found on the full-length album: "Estrogen" and "I Don't Know".
In March 2007, Riabko released
The Duo EP: Volume 1
, a six-track disc recorded with Dylan Hermiston featuring what Riabko describes as a "deeper, more experimental sound."
In September 2007, he joined
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers on tour to replace Chris Soucy as second guitarist.
Riabko released a three-song EP,
Song For Amanda: The EP
, the title track of which he claims was written for actress Amanda Bynes. In a
YouTube video and on a special website as part of the EP's promotion, Riabko asked his fans to spread the song and video to friends in hopes it would one day land in the hands of the actress.
Kyle Riabko and
Boots Factor from
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers collaborated on a side project called
Trevor Jackson, releasing a digital album.
In 2008, Kyle wrote 3 songs with Toronto singer-songwriter Basia Lyjak. The first, "Don't Talk," has since been released with a video. The second, "What It Feels Like" was released June 19th, 2009 at the Hard Rock Cafe during Basia's
NXNE showcase.
On September 15, 2008 Kyle Riabko released
The Parkdale Sessions Riabko's first full-length record released by Kyle's record label, Okbair Ltd. The album features 10 tracks, including two from his run in the Broadway show,
Spring Awakening.
Acting career
Riabko appeared in season four of
Instant Star
as Milo, an Instant Star contestant. The season first aired June 2, 2008.
He replaced
Jonathan Groff in the Broadway production of the musical
Spring Awakening
, in the lead role of Melchior Gabor, on
May 23 2008. His final performance in the Broadway production was August 2, 2008, and he was replaced by
Weeds
star
Hunter Parrish.
[2] He is currently reprising the role on the national tour with Broadway costar
Blake Bashoff.
[3] The 2009 television documentary
Kyle Riabko: The Lead
, by filmmaker Jeff Newman, follows Riabko from Toronto to New York City as he takes on the lead in
Spring Awakening
.
[4]
Philanthropy
Riabko has lent his talents to support various charitable causes. In 2005, Kyle took part in the Next Generation Rainforest Foundation Benefit helping to support the rights of the native people living in rainforests. Kyle also took part in 2006's Song for Africa , a benefit project for AIDS in Africa.
Discography
- "The Parkdale Sessions" (2008)
- Song For Amanda: The EP
(Digital Only) (2008)
- The Duo EP: Volume One
(2007)
- Before I Speak
(2005)
- The EP
(2004)
Singles
Filmography
- "Kyle Riabko: The Lead" - a documentary that aired on BravoCA on Kyle's tenure in Spring Awakening (TV) (2009)
- Instant Star
(TV) (2008)
- Chicago Blues Reunion: Buried Alive in the Blues
Stage
References
- Ouzounian, Richard. "An Awakening star is born: Kyle Riabko goes from Saskatchewan open mike jams to Broadway stage – and he's just 20", ''Toronto Star'', 2008-05-14, p. E1.
- "Weeds" Star Parrish to Join Broadway's Spring Awakening
- Bashoff and Riabko to Rock Tour of Spring Awakening
- Doyle, John (April 13, 2009). "Also airing tonight", ''The Globe and Mail'', p. R2.