Eric + Erica is a duo making music with two voices, an autoharp, keyboards, drums and a sampler. Their songs are pop music at their core, dressed up with the shimmer of autoharp; haunting, chiming keyboard melodies; 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, gentle voice provides a complementary undertone. They make intimate music, and invite you in to it. The project was born in Oakland, CA, and currently resides in Durham, NC. On record a layered, dreamy swirl of the above mentioned elements, the live band has recently evolved in to a sleek, energetic duo, with Erica singing and playing electric Autoharp, and Eric providing accompaniment simultaneously on drums, foot pedal synthesizer, keys and vocals. The effect is as tender and carefully crafted as ever, but with an extra dynamic intensity and danceable energy.
 
Their first full length album, This Is Where, was released on 11/12/2013, just a few months after their debut EP, You Try. They thrive on constant creation, and the 11 songs that make up the record emerged and evolved quickly, being recorded in a few short sessions at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland and late at night 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 color and atmosphere. With the last minute addition of a song recorded by Erica while lying sideways on her bedroom floor, and album artwork hand painted by the band, the record was complete, and the band set out on a cross-country tour to celebrate.
 
Since the record’s release Eric + Erica have been on the road continuously, playing everywhere from traditional venues to living rooms to backyards, with plenty of dive bars and cafes in between. They have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Sean Hayes and Here We Go Magic, among many, and contributing to recordings by Thao with the Get Down Stay Down and Michael Musika. Three songs recorded mid-tour were released on 2/14/2014 as the Wild Holiday EP, a digital download + candle; and two more new songs will be their first proper vinyl release in the fall, as the Side Pony/Blue Ribbon 7”, with an accompanying music video, produced and directed by the band, in lo-fi, DIY fashion. They have also had the pleasure of collaborating on a video for their song “Silver Trampoline” with Christine Hucal (Naytronix, Pegasus Warning, Anna Ash, Silian Rail). The rest of 2014 will find them continuing to tour nationwide, recording a new full length record, sleeping in their car, drinking lots of coffee and having business meetings while swimming.
 
Eric & Erica official site