Erin Rodgers

Main Instruments: Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, clarinet

Other Instruments: Piano

When I was about four, I discovered my parent’s 80′s Casio keyboard, and started picking out melodies of songs I heard on the radio, as well as writing my own songs. (My favorite setting on the Casio was always “vibraphone.”) My parents figured out that I didn’t suck at it, and enrolled me in piano lessons when I was eight. I must have been okay at it, because six months in, I secured the part of lead marimba player in the school musical because I lied and said I’d been playing piano for two years, and they believed me. I figured I’d play percussion when I was old enough to join band, but I was obsessed with one of my elementary school teachers, and she mentioned that she played the clarinet. I decided then that I was going to play the clarinet too, even though I had never seen one. When I got to 6th grade band tryouts, they handed me a clarinet. I squeaked, and they said I was in.

In high school, I was in every possible band activity – pep band, marching band, pit band, jazz band, symphonic band. I played the marimba and piano in jazz band, and clarinet in everything else. I never practiced at home, but I spent so much time in rehearsal, that I ended up okay at it. I also started taking guitar lessons from a friend’s dad.

It wasn’t until I was in college that I realized how much I loved – and always had loved – singing. Growing up, I’d spend hours singing when nobody was around, but I never thought I was any good at it, and I was too shy to sing in front of anyone. As a music major, I was required to be in two ensembles each semester, and after experiencing some clarinet burnout, I decided to join choir. It was one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life. The next semester I moved up to the higher level choir, and had the pleasure of performing with Dave Brubeck and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. I enjoy playing instruments, but there is a certain pleasure that comes from singing which no manmade instrument can duplicate.

Anyway, I’ve talked way too much.  Other than music, I also enjoy old lady arts (such as crochet and quilting), rollerskating, tea, old houses, and my schnauzer, Judy.

Day Job: Entertainment lawyer. When I was a kid I wanted to be an english teacher, then a professional musician, then a music therapist, then a recording engineer…but in college while majoring in music business, I found out about entertainment law, and I was sold. I currently serve as the staff attorney for Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, a nonprofit organization serving artists and musicians throughout Texas. I’m also a part-time associate at the Law Firm of Al Staehely, a Houston-based entertainment law firm.

Influences: I grew up listening to my parents’ eclectic music selections – my mom listened to rock music, and my dad was into folk, 30′s and 40′s music, and celtic stuff.  When I was five, my favorite song was “El Condor Pasa” by Simon & Garfunkel. I was fortunate enough to reach musical puberty in the early to mid 90′s, right when everything was awesome. There’s no way to make a complete list of anyone’s influences, but I love harmonies, handclaps, and unusual instrumentation. Lyrically, I have to thank Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, and Modest Mouse for proving that you can have clever lyrics and good music all in one package.

Gear: In public, I play my Alvarez acoustic/electric guitar. At home, I prefer to play my Yamaha Classical, which I bought with my first paycheck ever back in high school. I get really attached to my instruments.  At the International Clarinet Convention (dorky, I know) I found my dream clarinet, the Selmer Recital. It weights much more than your average clarinet, and has a darker sound. I use Gonzales reeds. I used to have this really shitty piano that resembled the piano at the beginning of Titanic – it had been on someone’s porch for years, and all the ivories had fallen off the keys, so they were just wood. Eventually we disassembled it and threw most of it away, but I still have some of the parts. I loved that thing.

Birthday: August 11

Hometowns: I was born in Tyler, Texas, but I grew up in Friendswood, with all the other NASA kids. I moved to New Orleans for college, back to Houston for law school, and I’m still here. I currently live in the Montrose area. I was pissed that I had to leave New Orleans, but I have really come to love Houston.