Erin Tobey (b. 1981) is a member of the DIY punk community. She has been an active leader in said community both artistically and organizationally since becoming involved with punk as a teenager in the late '90's in her childhood home of Lansing, MI. From 1999-2004, she played guitar and sang in the pop-punk band Abe Froman, thought by many to be an important offspring of the Lansing DIY scene. During her college years at Michigan State University, Tobey also organized a brief, news-making effort to revitalize the downtown East Lansing area by promoting locally-owned businesses.
Ater leaving Michigan in 2001, Tobey resided semi-permanently in Philadelphia, PA, Geelong, VIC, Australia, and Providence, RI. She made her home in Bloomington, IN in 2003, becoming involved with the vibrant punk community there.
Tobey has been a consistent contributor to the efforts of Bloomington's Plan-It-X-Records, whose staunch DIY ethos has set an important example for the sustainablilty and legitimacy of non-mainstream business and lifestyle. In 2005, she was one of the main coordinators of Plan-It-X Fest, a traveling festival that was attended by thousands of show-goers in thirty cities.
In 2002, Tobey began writing and performing songs as a solo artist under her own moniker. Her first solo show was in Little Rock, AR with Tem Eyos Ki, The Good Good, Matty Pop Chart, Boomfancy, The Insides, The Devil is Electric, and Defiance, Ohio. She has since released a record on Plan-It-X Records and Bakery Outlet Records, as well as several self-released recordings.
Tobey publishes a zine called Here It Is, as well as a website to showcase her artwork and writing. She also plays bass in Mt. Gigantic from Bloomington, and has recently joined the Richmond punk band Pink Razors as lead guitarist. She's also been spotted on some group vocals on Richmond's Antlers' latest recordings.
Erin Tobey currently lives in Richmond, VA.
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