The Encore: Tionesta

June 26th, 2024 by Liz Kosik

by Liz Kosik ’25

WLOY presents “The Encore,” where we spotlight our favorite bands that have visited the station. This week: Tionesta 

Tionesta was established in 2018 by Steve “Durango” Williams and Steven Sexton during their time at The University of Maryland in College Park. In 2019, the duo expanded by including Bryant Roesch, Williams’ former bandmate from Syracuse, New York. The trio eventually welcomed Baltimore natives Kevin Flinn, Taylor Gomolisky, and Nick Looft, creating Tionesta’s current lineup.

The band’s first EP, “Greatest Hits,” was released in March 2019 and received much love in the Baltimore area. In March 2021, Tionesta began releasing singles from their debut album, “Tionesta,” leading up to the full album’s release on May 7th, 2021, at a sold-out show at Baltimore’s famous, Power Plant Live. Their 2021 self-titled album includes standout tracks like “Lost in You” and “RedEye.” In 2023, they released a live album named “Live at Stages.” This album was both recorded and filmed live at Stages in Baltimore, capturing the authenticity of Tionesta’s lively and musical ability.

WLOY has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Tionesta, featuring their performances in events like the 2020 Charm City Sampler and the 2023 Honfest. The band visited the station in August 2023 for an on-air performance, delivering an exceptional show and living up to their hype. Tionesta continues to perform throughout the DMV area, creating new hits for their loyal and potential fans. Check out Tionesta’s page for upcoming projects, merch, and show dates!