Eric Engblade is an accomplished and acclaimed singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music educator, and podcast host from Grand Rapids, Michigan. At a very young age, he was drawn to the music of “The Beatles, Bob Dylan, John Prine and John Hartford, (thanks to his father), while also embracing artists as wide-ranging as Nick Drake, Dave Matthews Band and Led Zeppelin, who’ve rubbed off on his music” (John Sinkevics, localspins.com). He attended DePaul University and graduated in 2007 with a degree in vocal performance and religious studies.
From 2008 to 2013, Engblade fronted, booked, and managed the band The Northern Skies who primarily played cities across the Midwest released two albums to critical acclaim. The band’s 2009 self titled release was called a "beautiful, up-north, front porch masterpiece" (Recoil Magazine, Grand Rapids, MI) and led to winning the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest with his song “Mission Accomplished”. The band’s 2012 release ‘Thick As Thieves’ was hailed as a “homegrown, handmade work of art” (On The Town, Grand Rapids, MI).
Engblade released a self titled LP in 2016 that featured more of his “inspiring musicianship and songwriting” (John Sinkevics, localspins.com).
Eric Engblade continues to be sought after for bookings as a solo artist or with his band across the Great Lakes region and has opened for many well known national artists including Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings, Paul Thorn, and many others.
Some other career highlights include backing singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles in his band as well as performing at Hoxeyville Music Festival (2010, 2017), Beaver Island Music Festival (2011), Hiawatha Music Festival (2011), Earthwork Harvest Gathering (20l6), Buttermilk Jamboree (2017, 2018), Cowpie Music Festival (2018), and at Fredrick Meijer Garden Amphitheater (2012, 2018).
Engblade is a full-time working musician who can be seen every Tuesday night at Pub 111 in Whitehall performing from table-to-table as a part of "The Fan Club" band.
Engblade also teaches multiple instruments to students at Ada Conservatory of Music (Ada, MI), Firehouse Guitars, (Grandville,MI), and at Joyful Sounds Music Studio (Grand Rapids, MI) using the “Music Together” curriculum for children ages 0 to 4, the “Rhythm Kids”group drum curriculum for children ages 4 to 7, and group Ukulele lessons for kids ages 4 to 7 using his own curriculum called “Uke Zoo”.
Every month, Engblade hosts a podcast that is broadcast live on youtube.com called Songwriter Sunday. He also forms original and old favorite kids songs under the name Molten Lava Schnieder with his wife Tammy at venues such as private parties, schools, and Children’s museums.
Depending on the venue, type of show, and payment, Eric Engblade can be booked as a solo artist, or with other musicians such as upright bassist Justin Avdek, violinist Zeke Kinney, electric guitarist Justin Weirenga, cellist Max Morrison, or trumpeter Brad Fritcher.
Either as a solo act, or with the support of top notch regional musicians, Engblade continues to spread his “accessible” and “infectious”, yet ”eccentric”, and “danceable” Folk-Rock With Teeth while touring the Great Lakes Region and beyond (John Sinkevics, localspins.com).