22 Facts About Erica Nockalls

Erica Nockalls was born on 30 August 1983 and is an English violinist, vocalist, songwriter, and visual artist.

Erica Nockalls was born in Rotherham, England, and studied classical violin from the age of 7.

Erica Nockalls was offered a placement at Chetham's School of Music at age 9, but only attended for one week, deciding that the school was not for her.

At age 11, Erica Nockalls moved with her family to the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire, where she attended South Axholme Comprehensive School.

Erica Nockalls taught herself to play piano, guitar, and bass guitar during this time.

Erica Nockalls went on to study A-level music, music technology, and media at John Leggott Sixth Form College in Scunthorpe, before successfully auditioning for a place to study violin at Birmingham Conservatoire, aged 19.

Erica Nockalls accepted an entrance scholarship to study violin performance and voice at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Erica Nockalls was mentored by the Japanese violin virtuoso Ken Aiso, graduating in 2006.

Whilst studying at the Conservatoire, Erica Nockalls formed and performed live with the Birmingham-based progressive metal band FIRESWITCH.

Erica Nockalls shared the role of lead vocalist and played a Ted Brewer electric violin, her first official instrument sponsor.

Erica Nockalls joined UK alternative indie rock band The Wonder Stuff as violinist in 2005 after The Wonder Stuff's producer spotted the violinist busking in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Whilst studying at Birmingham Conservatoire, Erica Nockalls frequently busked in the cities and towns of the West Midlands on weekends to support herself financially.

Since joining The Wonder Stuff, Erica Nockalls has contributed to the making of six studio albums, providing string arrangements and backing vocals.

In 2006 Erica Nockalls began to tour as violinist with The Wonder Stuff's lead singer and guitarist, performing acoustically as a duo.

Hunt and Erica Nockalls have written and released two studio albums together, and produced and released two acoustic compilation albums and one live album.

Erica Nockalls has been performing as live guest violinist with The Proclaimers since the Scottish folk rock band first asked her to play the fiddle solo on the song "Sunshine on Leith", live at Edinburgh Castle in 2008.

Erica Nockalls appeared live on The One Show with The Proclaimers on 16 October 2013.

Erica Nockalls has since supported artists including Toyah, Public Image Ltd, Pop Will Eat Itself, and Miyavi.

In 2015 Erica Nockalls accepted an invitation from Shane Embury to take part as vocalist in his collaboration project Tronos.

Erica Nockalls toured as live violinist, viola player and backing vocalist for Fink on the Wheels Turn Beneath My Feet European tour, 2012.

Erica Nockalls created a painting for each album track, using each song's subject matter as inspiration.

Erica Nockalls is a self-taught artist and paints with oils on canvas, often preferring to use her fingers instead of brushes.