Today we’d like to introduce you to Quentin Melnick
Quentin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Velvet Gentlemen started in 2022 as a stage adaptation for my (Quentin Melnick) songwriting. The roots of the group date back to high school. We (Quentin Melnick, Richie Hedrick, John Martin) all graduated from “Western Reserve Local Schools” class of 2017. All three of us participated in various school band activities together (Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band) bonding over a shared love of all things music. The group came to fruition when “Riley Burke Band” needed a last minute opener for a Westside Bowl show. The project went from a pipe dream to a reality within the span of roughly a week. Since that initial showing, the band has gone through many stylistic and operational changes. Most importantly becoming a truly democratic project where all ideas are welcome and the music is a shared songwriting entity. Our self titled album “The Velvet Gentlemen” released on January 12th 2024. It is the culmination of those initial efforts. Multi Instrumentalist Ethan Milford joined the band after playing our release show (and producing the album). With his musical contributions we have begun to explore the realms of 1970’s progressive rock. Notable live appearances include but are not limited to: Porchrokr, Kent Core TV2, The Wickyards 100th show. 2025 will be filled with the projects effort to branch out into other parts of Ohio (Cleveland, Akron). 2025 will also be the year of our second album tentatively titled ‘Alienated in Paradise”. Stay tuned and stay weird!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If it were easy, everyone would do it. Our biggest challenge was finding a sound the is unique to us, yet doesn’t send the audience packing. Other than that, the only other challenges we’ve faced were purely organizational. All of us participate in other musical projects on top of full time work. Nobody teaches you how to be an independent artist.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
It’s hard to pinpoint our sound as a band. Every member brings a different tool box to the job. Where as I draw upon influences from bands such as Steely Dan, Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, The Cars. John draws heavily from his background in Jazz and World Music (He has a degree). Richie brings influences such as The Beatles, Tool, Alice in Chains, Nirvana. Ethan brings bands like King Crimson, ELP, Led Zeppelin. So If you can discern a definitive genre label for our sound I applaud you. Some call it angry hippy music, others call it noise.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Showing up at our shows and streaming our music are the best way to support us. As we change and evolve as a band audience involvement is paramount for us to tune in our approach. Our debut album is available on all streaming services.
Upcoming shows include:
4/19: Dunlaps Corner Bar Cleveland OH
4/26: YSU Federal Frenzy Youngstown OH
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetgentlemen_band/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Velvet-Gentlemen-100091877946710/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mh6tDcK2O3-UIG7sOG0c3nu7Ukf8UpAuY
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/36nutGPXSmIVJqjT2BMcAu
