Erik Koskinen

Erik Koskinen is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, whose music is not categorized by sub-genres. Stylistically he is on his own. Influenced by roots music of the Americas and the world, the rhythmic integrity and musical tone are as important as the lyrical content and the artistic intent.

Erik Koskinen’s Burning the Deal (released June 28, 2019 on Real Phonic Records/Tone Tree Music) is steeped in American roots traditions. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, raised in Northern Michigan and upper New York state, then living in urban Minneapolis and now, rural Minnesota, Koskinen grew up with the rhythms of weather, factory towns, and farmlands. Koskinen worked in construction for years as he developed his music career, and he now resides on a farm near where he owns a recording studio in Cleveland, Minnesota, population 717.

Of Burning the Deal, he says, “It’s not only Americana music. I learned how to play blues music. I learned how to play country music, and how to play folk, bluegrass, jazz, whatever. I learned how to play American music.” The nine songs share a stripped-down, almost naked quality, but complexities lie just under their skin. Part of that depth can be attributed to the top-notch players Koskinen recruited: Greg Leisz (Jackson Browne, Beck, Joni Mitchell) on lap and pedal steel and mandolin, plus the rhythm section of drummer Jay Bellerose (Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, Willie Nelson) and bassist Jennifer Condos (Don Henley, Marc Cohn, Ray Lamontagne). As for how he managed to gather them together — twice — for recording sessions in Ojai, California, Koskinen quips, “In the music biz, you’re always one person away from knowing the president.”

Burning the Deal, his fifth album, follows Cruising Paradise (2018), Live at the Real Phonic Radio Hour (2016), America Theatre (2014), and Keep It to Yourself (2010).

Past Shows


Aug
10
th
2024
Turf Club
Aug
10
th
2024
Turf Club

Wild Horses and Erik Koskinen

★ Local Show ★
with Nicky Diamonds
May
24
th
2022
Turf Club
May
24
th
2022
Turf Club

Bob Dylan 81st Birthday Bash

featuring performances by CURTISS AERIK KOSKINENDAN ISRAELTURN, TURN, TURNDEMITRI RALLIS & JOE DUNN (FROGLEG) • LYNVAL JACKSON (INTERNATIONAL REGGAE ALL STARS) • COURTNEY YASMINEHGINI DODDSBECKY KAPELL • and SPECIAL GUESTS
with music by The St. Louis Park Wrecking Crew
Apr
30
th
2022
7th St Entry
Apr
30
th
2022
7th St Entry

Kiss the Tiger

Late Show
with Erik Koskinen
Sep
12
th
2021
Turf Club
Sep
12
th
2021
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Will Overman and Todd Albright
May
24
th
2021
First Avenue
May
24
th
2021
First Avenue

Bob Dylan 80th Birthday Bash Tribute

Live from First Avenue + Livestream

featuring TURN TURN TURNTERRY WALSH (St. Dominic’s Trio) • DEMITRI RALLIS & JOE DUNN (Frogleg) • LYNVAL JACKSON (International Reggae All Stars) • CURTISS AERIK KOSKINENDAN ISRAELCOURTNEY YASMINEHMARY BUEGINI DODDSBECKY KAPELLJILLIAN RAEJOSH GRAVELINPAUL BERGEN
with music by The St. Louis Park Wrecking Crew
Apr
23
rd
2020
Livestream
Apr
23
rd
2020
Livestream

'Avenue of the Saints'

Virtual Midwestern Festival & Benefit
with Dave Simonett, Lissie, Erik Koskinen and more!
Feb
24
th
2020
Turf Club
Feb
24
th
2020
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Nici Peper
Feb
17
th
2020
Turf Club
Feb
17
th
2020
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Beth Bombara
Feb
10
th
2020
Turf Club
Feb
10
th
2020
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with LAAMAR
Feb
3
rd
2020
Turf Club
Feb
3
rd
2020
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Luke LeBlanc
Sep
13
th
2019
Fine Line
Sep
13
th
2019
Fine Line

Harvest Moon Festival ft. Erik Koskinen

with Dusty Heart, Jake Jones, Savannah Smith and more!
Jul
6
th
2019
Bayfront Festival Park
Jul
6
th
2019
Bayfront Festival Park

Trampled by Turtles

with Erik Koskinen, Gaelynn Lea, Early Eyes and more!
Jun
1
st
2019
Turf Club
Jun
1
st
2019
Turf Club
Mar
6
th
2019
Turf Club
Mar
6
th
2019
Turf Club

Jake La Botz

with Erik Koskinen
Feb
10
th
2018
Turf Club
Feb
10
th
2018
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Jack Klatt
Oct
4
th
2017
Turf Club
Oct
4
th
2017
Turf Club

All Tomorrow's Petty

with Aby Wolf, Frankie Lee, Al Church and more!
May
19
th
2017
Turf Club
May
19
th
2017
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Sam Cassidy
Feb
10
th
2017
Mainroom
Feb
10
th
2017
Mainroom

Dead Man Winter

with The Pines and Erik Koskinen
May
20
th
2016
Turf Club
May
20
th
2016
Turf Club

Erik Koskinen

with Jack Klatt
Apr
15
th
2016
Mainroom
Apr
15
th
2016
Mainroom

The 4onthefloor

with WHITE LIGHT RIOT (Reunion Show) and Erik Koskinen

More Shows

Jun
11
th
Armory

Teddy Swims

May
1
st
First Avenue

The Wrecks

Jan
16
th
First Avenue

Joy Oladokun

Nov
30
th
Turf Club

P.O.S and Dwynell Roland