"Given Armstrong's impassioned talent and her band's flawless performance, it is not hard to fall for her." -Aaron Levy, The Charleston Post and Courier
Moving to L.A. alone from South Carolina in 2005, Erin Armstrong brought along her Southern upbringing. Her blues roots, jazz education and appreciation for indie rock followed. Erin's good friend, Ben Fordham, eventually did too and joined My Imaginary Friends on violin, mandolin, guitar, and vocals. Rounded out by Grant Lovelace and Yohei Shikano on slide guitar, harmonica, Hammond organ, and electric guitar, My Imaginary Friends might seem like an alt-country or piano-pop band, but these descriptions may be defied with each listen or live show. From the full-throttle blues-based drive of "Sue Thrasher" to the upbeat and dreamy "Hello Miss McGinty", auditory and genre-bending surprises delight.
"It's Armstrong's heart-felt attachment to her music that makes it so special."
-Jackie Miehls, Performer Magazine
Erin: "I grew up listening to such great indie rock that came out of the Chapel Hill boom," she says. "It was all bands, and that really appealed to me. It wasn't just making music and trying to get your name out there and be rich and famous but actually having a family that you could rely on, and you made music together because it made everyone happy."
A 100% DIY approach while at times painful continues to propel this family forward as true ownership of their passion is retained; each note, each song, each record, a beloved child.
"'E Hemingway' changed my life. Seriously. Thanks." -Skott, Descend
Highlights:
Hotel Cafe, Hollywood CA, 2007-2009
West Coast Tour, 2009
Performer Magazine Showcase, 2009
CMJ Music Marathon, 2008
Residency, Silverlake Lounge, L.A., 2008
West Coast Tour, 2008
Movie Credit: "Fire", from This is My Knife, featured in the film "Time Out", 2007
Opening act for Ray Charles, 2004 (Erin Armstrong)
Directed and Produced by Trish Ward and Peter Torres
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi! It's going pretty fantastic. It's fucking cold here, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. The city is amazing, it reminds me a lot of NYC. Let me know if/when you want to come and visit. :D
How are things with you? I miss watching you guys play :(
Hey friends. You are invited to our Masquerade Party! great music, tons of fun, free drinks and prizes. Saturday OCTOBER 24th @ The Unknown Theater. LA TIMES pick for Halloween events!
Thank you for the add! Please see the latest Midnight Poutine article on us: http://www.midnightpoutine.ca/music/2009/10/the_segal_centre_presentsthe_studio/
I woke up today to a room that didn't really feel like home, A day that just doesn't seem all that great, so I came here and listened to E Hemingway. It always seems to set me to right when I'm just not that well off. Thank you. Staying in the good fight. Your fan ~Skott J. From Ca.
Happy birthday! I tried to put a picture of a puppy on here but your site won't let me use html so you'll have to just imagine a Golden Retriever saying happy birthday.
or, you can see it here: http://bugobugo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/puppy_cake_by_masakichan51.jpg
Hey Erin, for some reason Myspace won't let me reply to any messages. It's happened in the last week or so. Do you have any other band website where I can send my address in a message?
Hahaaa, the good lady...yep! That's the plan. Hopefully my buddy can get the last weekend of September off and if not, I'll find my way down there anyway. Save the weekend for meeee.... <3
Just wanted to write you a little note to let you know how much I enjoyed watching your band play for the past year. You are all so incredibly talented and I play your songs for anyone who will sit still long enough. Give me a holler if you're ever in the UK.
So Kell and I went to see Elvis and The Sugarcanes last night at the Greek, and i couldn't help thinking how you really should've opened the show. Maybe, like next month it'll happen... XOXO JB
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