Eric + Erica is a duo making music with two voices, an autoharp, a keyboard, and a drum machine. Their songs are pop music at their core, dressed up with the unusual shimmer of autoharp; soulful, reverb-drenched electric piano; and beats that are as strong and simple as they are surprising. Erica’s naturally sweet and soaring vocals lead the way, floating dreamily above the music and delivering lyrics that are part tender confession and part bold abstraction, while Eric’s low, ragged voice provides a complementary undertone. They write soft dance music, haunting lullabies, and surreal love songs; songs for friends, for children, and for each other.
Their first full length album, This Is Where, was released on 11/12/2013, just a mere 8 months after their debut EP. They thrive on constant creation, and the 11 songs that make up the record emerged and evolved quickly. The album was recorded with young veteran Adam Myatt (James & Evander, B. Hamilton, Man/Miracle) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, in the stolen hours between other bands’ sessions, and in the band’s basement. While keeping true to the minimalism of the band’s live sound, the record also provided an opportunity for Erica to densely layer her voice to create moments of lilting chorus, and for other odds and ends—out of tune player pianos, synthesizers—to add density and dynamics. Beginning with a strong, clear vision of the world they wanted the record to create, the process moved quickly, and just a few months later the final record was in their hands, complete with artwork they hand painted themselves and the last minute addition of a song self-recorded by erica while lying sideways on the floor.
Since the record’s release Eric + Erica have been on the road continuously, starting with a full US tour, self-booked through a combination of tremendous diligence and the benefits of a supportive musical community (both members play with other groups, including Sean Hayes, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Silian Rail and Ash Reiter). Three songs written and recorded mid-tour were released as the Wild Holiday EP, on 2/14/2014. This tour also served as their cross-country moving trip - though very much a product of their time in Oakland, California, the group has re-located to Eric’s original hometown of Durham, North Carolina, in search of the calm and quiet of the country, seasons, and the Triangle's fertile and diverse music scene. The rest of 2014 will find them continuing to tour extensively, playing everywhere from traditional venues to living rooms to ice cream shops to old theaters, with plenty of dive bars and cafes in between. While on the road they continue to write new songs and explore the many other media the band delight in using—short, surreal videos; hand painted fliers; colorful stop-motion animations; self-produced full length music videos; and bold fashion choices. They also sleep in their car, drink lots of coffee, eat ice cream, visit their aunts, and sleep more than most touring bands.
Eric + Erica
w/Kate Wakefield & Founding Fathers
The Drinkery
Wednesday June 25th
9p Show
FREE
