Erin Norris

Born and raised in Austin, surrounded by music all of her life, Erin Norris is a mixed genre rock musician. Norris is influenced by all kinds of music, whether it be proclaiming her love for Led Zeppelin or pretending to be Ella Fitzgarld singing into a hokey stick at the age of 12. You can hear the excitement ooze from her voice when asked her influences. 

A fan of Debussy and Tupoc, Norris was asked, "why music?"

To which she replied, "It's my favorite thing, I can't not do it. it's obsessive really." 

Norris was previously in a blues rock band "Little Emily Warfield" where she attributes her growth as a guitar player. 

"Jacob [Jacob Cruz current drummer of Carl Sagan's Skate Shoes] is one of the best drummers i have ever had the pleasure to play with. He pushed me to be better, play better and not to be scared to take risks. he was always there to cover me if I messed up which made it easier for me to try to play more daring things... I learned how to be a team with LEW, it was a great experience." 

LEW broke up in the beginning of fall 2013. Erin started to wonder what role music would have in her life. She unconsciously started putting together an album and even went as far as organizing recording sessions with friends before admitting to herself she wanted to make an album. 

"Yea, I didn't think I could do it. I didn't have any money, still don't. I just knew I had to keep going, so I called some friends and asked if they would be willing to help me out and everyone I talked to was on board. To be honest, the way that people have helped me, without any benefit to themselves is really stunning. Sometimes if i think about it for too long I cry. I didn't know I that I could really make the album until it was done. It took a year and my parents are out $1200 (thanks mom and dad) but I can confidently say I'm proud of it." 

Norris mixed and mastered the album herself and the bulk of the recordings were recorded in her parents front living room. The drum tracks were recorded at various locations including friends living rooms and Austin's art academy for a friends school project. She also received quite a bit of marketing assistance from her affiliation with Austin Songwriting Group.

"ASG is such a great thing to be apart of, I really love those people. Lee Duffy is like my fairy Godmother, she has made Nashville big league publishers accessible to people like me and I'm a nobody and because of them I currently have an on going conversation with a Nashville publisher --- me" pointing at herself flabbergasted. 

Norris's stage performance is truly her best part. In a black dress with no shoes she comes alive, Norris dances around stage with her guitar like a mad woman. She and her current drummer Omar Avitia are playful toward one another, as if inviting you into their friendship. They often are caught cracking up and pick on each other through out the set, but this group is not to be taken lightly. If you've never had the opportunity to stunned into silence by her voice, it is strongly recommended.  She can capture a room. There is no doubt that Norris and Avitia give everything they have to their live performances. This indie/classic/blues rock duo is not only fun to see interact but will also impress the hell out of you. 

Norris hopes to go on 'mini tours' this summer and has already scheduled a date at Lee College in their performing art center for a live recording in late August. Erin Norris is definitely someone to watch. You can sign up for her mailing list on her website and like her facebook page for updates of what she is doing as well as when the next time you catch her preform live.