The Northern Skies Bio
Whether their playing at a brewery pub, a coffee shop, or on a street corner, the Michigan-based band The Northern Skies play "acoustic, bluegrass-tinged folk that perks up your ears with an infectious, indie-rock sheen" (The Grand Rapids Free Press, Grand Rapids MI). Ask the band and they will tell you that their music is acoustic folk-rock with teeth!
Frontman and songwriter Eric Engblade with his "clear, strong vocals [that] give power to his lyrics" (Ludington Daily News, Ludington MI) is also an accomplished guitarist. Along with guitarist, vocalist and co-songwriter Nathan Schleicher, they round out their performances with mandolins, banjos, and more in any given set. They are sure to get your toes tapping and your feet dancing with a mix of original and familiar cover songs with Emily Carlson on violin, Nic Cole on bass, and Paul Wozniak on percussion and drums.
With ties to Grand Rapids and Detroit, the band (formerly known as "Drake") has performed under the Northen Skies of the Midwest at a pace of over 60 shows a year and they show no sign of stopping. In fall of 2007, they were selected to open for comedian Mike Birbiglia on his Comedy Central Tour at City Opera House in Traverse City Michigan. In the summer of 2009, they were selected as Pontiac Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival performers. In the Fall of 2009, they were selected as finalists in the Great Lakes Song Writing Contest for their song "Mission Accomplished" (www.GreatLakesSongs.com).
Hailed as a "beautiful", "up-north, front porch masterpiece" (Recoil Magazine, Grand Rapids MI) their fourth and most recent album, "Northern Skies," was recorded at River City Studios by Roy Wallace of "Sweet Japonic" in Grand Rapids, MI. The 2009 album reflects each season of their home state of Michigan, a journey that begins in haunting January, and continues through a changing landscape "awash in Americana instrumentation and modern songwriting" (Recoil Magazine, Grand Rapids MI). The spirit of each month is captured with eclectic style and diverse instrumentation, an American sound with incorruptible independence.