Bio
From growing up in Pennsylvania and then the intercoastal plains of eastern North Carolina, Erin Ann Lewis has been seeking expression through sounds and lyrics since she was a young child. Beginning the drums in 4th grade, to recording herself with primitive devices, then picking up a guitar at age 15, and taking ALL those literature courses in college helped to form and inspire the mediums this artist needed to craft her songs.
She was heavily influenced the by 90's music she grew up with, the rock music from the 60's/70's her dad exposed her to, and the country music of the 80's/90's her mother was always listening to on the car radio. She learned to love and appreciate a variety of music genres, but was inherently drawn to music that had strong singer-songwriter roots, notably from the likes of Bob Dylan, Counting Crows, Fiona Apple, David Gray, and Jewel. Still, the dichotomy of her nature also found her enthralled with rock and alternative acts such as The Black Crowes, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, and The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as acoustic-rock/jam groups like Dave Matthews Band.
In addition to musical influences, Erin was deeply moved to pursue songwriting because of the poetry she began immersing herself in as a young adult. Ranging from favorites including Maya Angelou to Charles Bukowsi to Robert Frost, she felt a kinship with poets from the start. Upon reading her works, the people in her life told her, “You need to write.”
Erin went to university and initially double-majored in two fields: Exercise Science and English. However, despite a year and a half of focusing her studies on English (literature and writing) and loving the education she received in this area, student loans were piling up. With no clear plans to use an English degree, she decided she didn't necessarily need a degree to write. Like many young adults, she knew she had to choose a path that would provide her with making a living, and so she completed her undergraduate degree as a Health Fitness Specialist, working as an ACSM certified personal trainer for nearly a couple years, and then went on to earn her masters degree as an Occupational Therapist.
But she never stopped writing. She didn't stop singing or playing the guitar. Despite being in grad school and headed down a career path of her choosing, she still felt a fire in her gut that refused to be extinguished. She remembered the words of one her favorite poets, Maya Angelou, when she wrote “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Erin had stories to tell, and she couldn't bear to hold them inside her any longer.
She played her first public show during grad school at a local wine shop, set up through a friend of a friend, with the most humble “rig" using a splitter cable to run both her vocals and acoustic-electric guitar through a small Fender amp. With no experience, she surely sounded awful by all accounts - but she was finally doing it, and that's all that mattered in those days.
Finally working as an Occupational Therapist in a hospital setting, a work peer tipped her off to a local open mic. With a formidable fire still blazing in her gut, she decided to show up one night - and that changed everything.
Now more than a decade later, Erin has publicly performed on a variety of stages in the eastern North Carolina region, always capturing the attention of patrons with her original and authentic brand of music-making.
But it remains the adversities and joys of life that drive her to write and play. With a passion to perform and share her personal life experiences that are undeniably woven through common life themes, Erin continues to seek the sounds and words that dwell inside of her, and raise them up with a voice and guitar style all her own.
A folk-rock inspired singer-songwriter with uniquely resounding vocals, Erin weaves a sonic tapestry with her skillful songwriting abilities and soulful guitar playing. Based out of eastern North Carolina, USA, Erin is currently working on recording and releasing music, including upcoming plans for an independently recorded acoustic EP and then full length album.
Erin is married to an incredible guitar player, Greg, and they have a wild and crazy springer spaniel, Belle. They love going to concerts, spending time with their families, and traveling the world together. On her own and aside from music, Erin is an avid chess player and loves photography (especially astrophotography).
You can follow Erin on Facebook and Instagram for Live Sessions, and join her email list for updates! And as always, you can contact her through the “contact” page of this site if interested in booking her for any events.