Erin Harkes

Erin knows over 300 songs - many different genres - spanning over 60 years of popular music. It's rare that she can't honor a request from an audience member. She even jokingly will play a round of a game called 'stump the blonde' where she'll try and play a song on the spot. It usually makes for great camaraderie with the audience. Also, Erin is a stand up comedian which makes her very engaging and entertaining even between songs!

It’s hard to say exactly what Erin Harkes is. She’s a singer/songwriter. She’s a full time musician. She’s also a part time standup comedian. Whatever she is doing she is doing it on stage! Erin’s memories of being ignored as a child have resulted in her being addicted to performing, whether it be in front of thousands of people in a music venue, or singing the National Anthem at the grand opening of a refurbished Walmart. She is a self-proclaimed performance “whore” – meaning she will do anything to perform in front of an audience.

Erin’s musical influence started at a very young age. Hairbrushes became microphones. Stairs became stages. While friends were listening to Debbie Gibson and Tiffany tapes, Erin scoured her mother’s record collection for Fleetwood Mac and Creedence Clearwater Revival. She began writing her own songs at age 19 and has released four albums of original material since then. Her first CD was aptly titled “Bar Napkins and Magic Markers” due to the crude way the lyrics were jotted down during her college years.

Her music comes from triumphs over tragedy. Though sometimes somber there’s always a resounding theme of resilience. The power of her voice and the emotion that comes through her lyrics makes you want to sit and listen to every word. Erin’s lyrics tell stories of her life, sang through a big voice that’s often compared to Janis Joplin. Hearing Erin sing is a powerful experience that grabs anyone within earshot.

Erin’s spontaneity and willingness to perform won her a spot on “Battle of the Instant Bands” on the Jimmy Fallon show in April of 2010. Having only 20 minutes to prepare with an impromptu band made up of complete strangers, Erin won over both Jimmy Fallon and the studio audience by naming the band (“Fallon Angels”) and the song (“Free Jimmy”) – the band performed the song with Erin on vocals to an explosive audience response and easily won the contest.

Erin is regularly voted Best Singer/Songwriter in the Capital Region by the Times Union Reader’s Poll and the Metroland Weekly. She has been the subject of several cover stories by both of those newspapers. She is definitely a local favorite. Erin has had the privilege to have shared the stage with national acts such as David Allen Coe, Leon Russell, Melissa Ferrick, Eric Burden and recently opened for one of her musical idols, Beth Hart.

In 2013 Erin was able to quit her day job. This is every musician’s dream but in Erin’s case, also provides her with a wealth of comedy material which she goes to regularly. With this freedom, Erin is now extending her touring capabilities beyond the upstate New York area to the East Coast and is always branching out and looking for new places to perform. Erin is happiest when she has a full schedule and is on the road. She is always looking for new venues and making new fans.

Erin is willing and able to provide her own sound. If the event is large and sound/lighting is provided then you won't find an easier musician to work with than Erin. Incredibly low maintenence when it comes to sound checking. All she requires is her mic and guitar and as long as she can hear herself then she's happy!