ilyAIMY is naturally modular and performs in a number of different formats depending on venue size, budget, and which players are available. We are a folk band, a rock band, an intimate duo, a ferocious sextet and everything in between, making us flexible enough to play coffeehouses and colleges, festivals and fields, boats and baitshops, jazz clubs and rock clubs and weddings and everything in between.
“[ilyAIMY is] extremely versatile, incredibly skilled and uniquely diverse…. Didgeridoo, tribal drumming … acoustic or wild … guitar with EBow, strings, keyboard and a great live sound gives way to lots of dynamics within a style that’s very much their own; reflecting influences from indigenous tunes along with dark and edgy folk numbers, the band ultimately provides [an]interesting in-your-face blend of rock through whatever direction they choose… Fiery vocals full of passion channel … with a low-tuned guitar and thick male vocals… growls/throat singing mesh with female backing support that’s direct and clear. All of this makes the band an unstoppable driving force.” – Declan Poehler | Frederick News-Post
The Touring Act (duo & trio)
rob Hinkal, Heather Aubrey Lloyd, Kristen Jones
Mixing genres from rock to folk to soul to bluegrass; flavours as varied as jazz and hip hop curl through the sound of Washington Area Music Association’s “Best Contemporary Folk Group” – ilyAIMY. ilyAIMY and their co-fronts Heather Aubrey Lloyd and rob Hinkal have won accolades from Kerrville Folk Festival, National Association for Campus Activities, the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (Most-Wanted Artist for both the band and Heather solo!). Heather has been recognized by the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and won 2019’s Bernard Ebb Songwriting Award. Most recently, both rob & Heather won Gold awards in the 2020 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest. The trio includes Kristen Jones on electric cello & harmony vocals (multiple Wammie nominee for Best Contemporary Instrumentalist).
ilyAIMY performing Bill Wither’s song “Use Me” on the Extended Play Sessions in Norwood, MA.
ilyAIMY performing Heather’s tune “Oklahoma” as part of a New Year’s Eve webcast for First Night Talbot, December 31st, 2020.
ilyAIMY performing rob’s tune “Glom of Nit” for a sold-out crowd at Allyword at Tonal Park Studios in Takoma Park, MD.
ilyAIMY performing rob’s tune “Terms” on Later with Jason Suel broadcasting from Red Barn Studio in Fayetteville, AR
The "Full Band" (Bigger than a Trio)
Need us louder? Need us bigger? Need drums? MORE drums? We can do that.
Available as anything up to a sextet depending on space & budget, ilyAIMY can field all-original or cover-heavy sets, & can be comfortable in anything from an intimate, folk environment to a heavy metal festival (or even win an award at a hip hop comedy jam).
ilyAIMY combines award-winning songwriting, tight male/female harmonies, signature intricate slap-style guitar work, ukulele, djembe and more with a curiously Muppet-like stage presence for an exquisite package. For larger shows rob Hinkal (guitar & vocals), Heather Aubrey Lloyd (guitar, ukulele, djembe, vocals) and Kristen Jones (electric cello, vocals) are joined by any combination of Rowan Corbett (also of Carolina Chocolate Drops and Rhiannon Giddens Band as seen on CBS’ Late Show w. David Letterman and Austin City Limits – Irish bones, djembe, vocals), Sharif (piano and bass) and Joey Jenkins (drums)….
Rowan Corbett leading ilyAIMY in a version of Tool’s song “Sober”.
Heather’s song “I Didn’t Take It Down” recorded Live at the New Deal Cafe in Greenbelt, MD on February 7th, 2020.
ilyAIMY performing Heather’s tune “Good Heart” at Old Bowie Town Grille in Bowie, MD, January 2018.
ilyAIMY performing “My Kinda Quarantiner” for their NPR Tiny Desk Submission in June, 2021.
ilyAIMY performing “unEven” (winner 2020 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest GOLD) for NS Designs, January 2021.
ilyAIMY performing their tune “New American” at a farm shortly before it’s due to be bulldozed – May 2021.
“ilyAIMY are insanely good … It’s the sound of someone about to break down in tears or start a fight… everything emo wishes it could be, [but] far more powerful, unsettling, emotional & brilliant…”
Drove Through Ghosts to Get Here blog
rob Hinkal & Rowan Corbett
ilyAIMY performs in a lot of different formats. One of the most dynamic is the pairing of band-leader rob Hinkal and singer/songwriter / percussionist Rowan Corbett.
Rowan Corbett (Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens Band, Celtic act Tinsmith) and rob met in the late 90s in a confluence of mutual fans. Someone was telling Rowan about a guitarist that “played like THIS” *frantic thrashing motions* while someone ELSE was telling rob about a percussionist who “plays these THINGS like THIS!!!” *frantic thrashing motions*. Eventually the two met after a gig at the New Deal Cafe and bonded over some of Rowan’s spectacular blueberry pie. Since then the two have played often as a powerful subset of ilyAIMY, swapping songs and stories on stage, and of course, going like THIS. *frantic thrashing motions*
“With Rob’s uncanny similarity to Lindsey Buckingham on vocals & … distinctive annunciation & … the unbelievable percussive playing style, there’s a lot to listen to from this duo.”
Shea Carver, Encore