#erin bode

The Whitaker Music Festival presents Erin Bode Wednesday, July 20 at the Missouri Botanical Garden. 

The Erin Bode Group creates music forged from the Americana of its members' midwestern roots, infused with jazz grooves and made magic by Bode's bell-like voice. In advance of her return to the Whitaker Music Festival, Bode shared more information about her musical background and what it means to perform at the Garden. 

How did you become interested in playing music?

I grew up in a musical household. I’m the youngest of four children so I saw all my siblings playing instruments and singing and I wanted to be like them. I remember at the age of three wanting very badly to be on stage like my older brother who was in A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. That feeling never went away for me and I’ve worked hard to make music my profession ever since.

Can you pick a favorite song? Why do you like it?

I can’t choose just one favorite but one that makes my list of favorites is Joni Mitchell’s “Help Me”. I like it because it has so many of the elements that make a great song. It’s interesting rhythmically and has a melody that is both memorable and unexpected. The sentiment of the lyrics are both timeless and stated in a unique way and I find that I want to listen to it again and again because each time I do, I hear something new.

What is your favorite spot in St. Louis and why?

I’m not sure if you want my favorite spot to sing or just favorite spot in general so I’ll just go with my favorite spot in general. I love hiking so my favorite place to hike is in Rockwood Reservation in Wildwood. There are several hiking trails and they are all beautiful. It’s a quiet place where I like to go and be in the forest.

What does performing at the Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden mean to you?

The Whitaker Festival is fantastic! There is no better atmosphere in which to hear great music than the Missouri Botanical Garden and to be a part of the line up is a true honor.

What do you like most about the St. Louis music scene?

See Amid the Winter Snow - Erin Bode

See, amid the winter's snow, Born for us on Earth below, See, the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn, Hail redemption's happy dawn, Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies He who built the starry skies; He who, throned in height sublime, Sits among the cherubim.

Say, ye holy shepherds,say, What your joyful news today; Wherefore have ye left your sheep On the lonely mountain steep?

"As we watched at dead of night, Lo, we saw a wondrous light: Angels singing 'Peace On Earth' Told us of the Saviour's birth."

Sacred Infant, all divine, What a tender love was Thine, Thus to come from highest bliss Down to such a world as this.

The Little Garden

Erin Bode