Erik Della Penna is a multifaceted composer, lyricist, and guitarist whose talents have graced over 60 albums spanning rock, pop, and Americana genres. With a prolific career, Erik has created and recorded seven albums of original songs with his “metropolitan folk duo,” Kill Henry Sugar, alongside drummer and producer Dean Sharenow. This collaboration has highlighted Erik’s unique ability to blend storytelling with diverse musical influences, creating a sound that is distinctly their own.

In addition to his work with Kill Henry Sugar, Erik has made significant contributions to musical theatre. He wrote two children's musicals: Toby and the Big Top, produced by Walden Media, and Kitty Hawk, which is regularly performed at the Adrienne Arsht Center. His versatility extends to film scoring as well; Erik composed the score for the Netflix documentary Tree Man and has contributed songs to numerous other documentaries and television shows, showcasing his ability to adapt his musical style to a variety of contexts and themes.

Erik is also known for his work with Hazmat Modine, where his sharp songwriting skills and mastery of the guitar and banjo come to the forefront. In recent years, he has been on a creative solo journey, releasing two LPs in as many years, further establishing his reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.

In a recent venture, Erik teamed up with fellow musician David Yazbek to co-create an original musical, Dead Outlaw, which premiered on March 10th, 2024, at the Minetta Lane Theater in the West Village. This musical comedy tells the fascinating true story of Elmer McCurdy, an outlaw from the late 1800s whose mummified remains had an unexpected second life that continued into the 1970s. The songs in Dead Outlaw reflect Erik and David's deep exploration of themes such as mortality, celebrity, and the peculiarities of American culture, combining wit and poignancy in a memorable theatrical experience.

Through all these varied projects, Erik Della Penna has demonstrated a remarkable ability to traverse musical genres and storytelling forms, making him a distinctive voice in contemporary music and theatre.

https://www.erikdellapenna.com/bio