Erik Hokkanen

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Erik Hokkanen
Medium Musician

Erik Hokkanen (born in Clearwater, Florida) is a fiddler, electric guitar player, and composer living in Austin, Texas.

Born into a musical family, Erik began his musical training at age four on piano. Over the following years, he learned mandolin, guitar, and string bass. At age twelve, Erik began studying old-time music and classical music on the violin.

Today, Erik is known for performing and composing an array of musical styles, including gypsy music, western swing, surf rock, rock music, rockabilly, bluegrass music, and classical. He moves effortlessly among instruments, often playing violin while an electric guitar hangs down his back.

It has been said that pound for pound, Erik is the most talented musician in Austin. He is a three time winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival Music Awards' "Instrumentalist of the year" and was 1993's "Performer of the Year."[citation needed]

A third generation Finn raised in Florida, Erik has toured extensively through Finland, playing major festivals and clubs with top Finnish musicians. In 1998, Erik taught as a Professor of Music in the Folk Music Department at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland.

In Texas, Erik regularly teaches Rock n’ Roll Summer Camp in Austin with the help of his son Luke. In his off time, Erik enjoys learning about Native American spirituality and practices survival skills in the Texas Hill Country.

Bands he has founded include:

  • Erik and the Offbeats
  • Erik and the She-Wolves
  • Erik and the Hip Replacements
  • Erik and Erik (with singer/songwriter Erik Moll)
  • Lumisudet

Bands he has been a member of or participated with include:

[edit] Discography

  • Erik and the Offbeats (1987)
  • Blue Corn (1989)
  • Erik & Erik (1992)
  • Earth Swing (1994)
  • Kaustinen, Texas (1995)
  • Swing the Night Away (1996)
  • Barnes, Hokkanen and Rubin: Mad Cat Trio (1998)
  • In the Heart of the Waking Dream (1999)
  • Scout Fiddle Blues: Souvenir Album (2000)
  • Erik and the She Wolves (2002)
  • Erik and the Hip Replacements, Gypsy Twan (2002)
  • Erik and the She-Wolves, Melodrama Sweetheart (2005)
  • Erik and the Hip Replacements, Alive in Austin (2005)

[edit] Soundtracks

  • DOA (1988)
  • Texas Chain Saw Massacre III (1990)
  • Michael (1996)
  • The Newton Boys (1998)
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