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Northeast Ohio's Hidden Music Scene

Northeast Ohio has a vast and highly underappreciated music scene. From indie and Americana to hip hop and trap, the region fosters raw talent and creativity. Two rising stars, Van Arlo and Swayy Milli, embody this spirit, each carving their own path while showcasing the depth of Northeast Ohio’s musical landscapes. 


Van Arlo: Crafting Americana with a Cleveland Soul



Van Arlo, whose real name is Ben Marthey, is an Americana/indie musician with roots tracing back to singing in church as a child. His musical journey has seen him transition from punk to country before settling into his current style.


Arlo draws inspiration from notable artists such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Garth Brooks. His dedication is paying off—he was nominated for Best New Artist at the Cleveland Music Awards in 2024 and for Male Emerging Artist by the Singer-Songwriter Association in 2025.

Reflecting on his 2024 nomination, he said, “Having the nomination and being able to go to the ceremony and be among so many other amazing, well-known artists in the Cleveland area…was extremely validating for me. It was inspiring and made me wanna keep doing it…”


The Van Arlo project is now in its third year, and unlike his previous band experiences, this endeavor is entirely his own. He writes all of his material himself, giving him full creative control.


Arlo considers his November 9, 2024, show at the Rialto Theatre to be his best performance to date, calling it “the culmination of a lot of coordination and effort to build this sorta idea...” His most proud album, Live at the A.R.C., was recorded and filmed live in a single take as an homage to classic recording techniques.


Beyond Northeast Ohio, he has performed at iconic venues such as the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. His dream venue is the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.


Upcoming shows include:

  • House of Blues Restaurant Stage: February 1st, April 26th, and June 21st (9 PM)

  • Rialto Theatre: March 22nd (7 PM, new music release party)


On his musical aspirations, Arlo says, “I wanna be able to inspire or have someone create their own memory around one of my songs.”


For Arlo, the most rewarding part of performing is the impact he has on his audience. He shares, “...That's really the ultimate sort of payout for me as a live performer is being able to get someone who’d come up after a set and say positive things…about the set or some lyric in one of my songs. For me, that's what it's all about… and I only hope that I can continue to do that more”


The Northeast Ohio music scene is vibrant and supportive, Arlo believes, though it remains underexplored by many. “There’s a lot for people to discover in Northeast Ohio,” he emphasizes.


Follow Van Arlo:

Swayy Milli: Cleveland’s Trap Plug Shaping the Sound of Tomorrow



Swayy Milli is a trap plug musician with Dominican roots. He has been making music his whole life and started releasing tracks on SoundCloud in 2017.


Milli cites Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, and Future as his primary influences, noting that they “actually motivated me to take it serious.”


He has found success playing in Los Angeles and has toured with fellow Cleveland artist Chxpo, performing in New York, LA, Texas, and Columbus.


Every October, Milli releases a new installment of Swayytober, an album series named after his October 26th birthday. However, he clarifies, “The album isn’t for me. I put everybody that’s working hard, that I see is working hard in my side of town or even on the east side whoever I see in the city that’s workin hard and that’s lit and that I like their music, I put them on the album with me”


His ultimate goal is to build his own record label. While he currently has a distribution deal with Animal Records, he aims to expand his reach even further.


Milli acknowledges the challenges of being an independent musician, especially dealing with doubt from others. “The hardest part of being a musician is balancing the real world from your dreams cuz’ a lotta people don’t believe in you…so you gotta stay motivated and stay consistent…” he advises.


Despite the obstacles, he remains committed to pushing forward. Milli remarked,  “Keep going! You might get 10 views. You might get 5 views. You just gotta keep going because it could be that one song that takes off. You just can’t get unmotivated…You gotta just keep going, keep dropping, keep being consistent, make more videos….”


For Milli, the most fulfilling aspect of making music is the emotional connection it fosters. Milli reflected, “There's no feeling like it and then that's what made me feel like that was my purpose in this world. I like to make people feel good… and feel happy and that's why I really just make music to make you feel good and happy.”


He also calls for more unity among Cleveland artists, similar to what’s seen in Detroit’s rap scene. Milli emphasized, “...If we were to be more together like everybody doin’ their own little thing and separate right now. You know how the Detroit scene is? They're all helping each other out. Cleveland is kinda not like that ya know. Northeast Ohio is different everybody like to themselves but we do have a lot of talent …we just go unnoticed a lot. Really, I don’t know why that is but we’re pretty much slept on a lot…We got a lotta talent down here but not a lotta help.”


The name “Swayy Milli” comes from a nickname given to him by his cousin—originally “Swayy Milliano,” it was later shortened for SoundCloud purposes.


On his rising success, Milli says, “It means a lot… it means that I’m goin down the right path and it's only up. I keep gettin’ blessed' more and more. You know I keep meetin’ the right people and I love that you know.”


Follow Swayy Milli:

The Future of Northeast Ohio’s Music Scene


Van Arlo and Swayy Milli are just two examples of the immense talent emerging from Northeast Ohio. Across genres, local artists continue to push creative boundaries, proving that the region’s music scene is as vibrant as ever. However, greater recognition and support—from both audiences and industry insiders—are key to ensuring its growth. As these musicians strive to make their mark, one thing is clear: Northeast Ohio’s music scene is not to be overlooked. Whether through intimate indie performances or high-energy rap showcases, the region is producing sounds that deserve to be heard far beyond its borders.

 
 
 

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