Born in Toronto, studied dance and literature in Ottawa; played bass in a band called Puddle. Rehearsed and performed locally as bassist for the acclaimed Puddle in Ottawa for about one year, until the lead singer delivered a baby; good times! Moved west, then north, then back home to Toronto to write songs inspired by travels. Studied Dance in Montreal (at UQAM) and played and sang guitar, performing at le Cabaret, one of the city's most beautiful venues with its dusty balconies and golden chandeliers. Spent a few years living in a refurbished schoolbus beside a rafting river, guiding loud tourists. Moved back to Toronto. Hosted one of the finest open stages in the city at Graffitis. Regular guests included Dave Azzolini (Golden Dogs) and Mark Sasso (Elliot Brood). 2004 Erika Werry recorded her debut album with Ryan Fairhead, receiving a four NNNN review in NOW magazine. Toured Atlantic Canada in a duet with Mike Hopkins; East Coasters now sport Erika Werry trucker caps. Played a weekly band set at the Cloak and Dagger in Toronto for about a year, met loads of local genius musicians and made a record with a few of them, off-the-cuff kitchen-table-style, to general acclaim (three stars, Eye magazine) featuring Tom Howell on fiddle, Christine Bougie (Amy Milan), James Robertson (of Run with the Kittens), Wes Neal and Bryden Baird (Feist, Blue Rodeo). Toured east again, and west to Vancouver, and to Melbourne Australia, and through the western USA. Currently Erika is slinging beer in Toronto, singing her heart out at such venues as Clinton's Tavern, Cameron House, Drake Hotel, the Rex, Cadillac Lounge, Reverb Room, Mitzi's Sister, Graffiti's and the Tranzac Club with her NEW BAND, the Alphabet featuring Wes Neal on double bass, Mike Hopkins on guitar and Kate McLean on accordion, vocal harmony and drums. Erika is preparing her fourth full-length release. "I dig Erika's grainy alto, her in-and-out-of-pespective songs, delivered with expression. An observant poet, a cliche distorter, a fearless traveller, a band leader – Miss Werry is all of the above, and a competent guitar strummer to boot. One might liken her to a female Al Tuck. Arrangements incorporate brass, pedal steel, stand-up bass, and violin. "Songwriter" is a rather comical song about - you guessed it, being a songwriter – she takes us from the bedroom to the stage." Mary Beth Carty, Penguin Eggs Summer Issue no. 34 In her songwriting, Erika Werry aspires to find new ways of expressing the age-old themes of life and love, with an element of tongue-in-cheek lyrical humour. Her lazy singing style and lyrical melodies blend with her original-sounding voice which is "quite lovely - a kind of perfectly imperfect semi-croak" (Toronto Eye Weekly, Nov 2006). CIUT radio director Ron Burd says "Erika Werry's songwriting, performance and personality mesh perfectly, both live and on cd." Her good mood is contagious, and though playful, her lyrics remain expressive of nostalgia and regret. Sincere, but only fleetingly earnest. The songstress cites Will Shakespeare and Joni Mitchell as two poets communicating universal themes in creative ways that resonate with their audience, who inspire her in her own endeavour. Other favorites include Sarah Harmer, Bjork, Cat Power, Neko Case, Guided by Voices and Steve Earle" A lyricist & melody maker, an endearing presence, and that voice - "something strong but still the water and the wind get through. And the sunlight. And the sadness" - Noah Zacharin.
"Time on our Hands, the second release from local musician Erika Werry, is consistently impressive. [her] singing voice is quite lovely - a kind of perfectly imperfect semi-croak" Toronto's EYE Weekly, Nov 16 2006Erika's "pleasantly hypnotic vocals and charming simplicity ring true [.] something to experience live" (Sean Ridgeley in the St John's Telegram and Scope weekly, Newfoundland). Nothing Clearer Comes was rated NNNN in Toronto's NOW MAGAZINE, for its lyrical originality and "beautifully morose trumpet flourishes." NOW(Aug 18 2005)"Erika Werry's music jumps off her debut disk through the speakers and into you in a way that makes you wonder why it took you until now to hear about this fresh new Canadian talent. The music is honest, original, and uplifting" – Jake Chisholm
"Without fuss, hype or fanfare, Erika Werry has made one of the years' best records - That voice! Those songs! That band! *That's* what I'm talkin' about. I played the hell out of this record last summer. Still do. Sometimes I even sing along. You gotta problem with that?" - Kevin Quain
