ericka corban

Local rising star Ericka Corban and her husband Mattaniah will perform her original music on Saturday, May 24, 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm at The Popcorn Factory, Wishkah and Broadway in Aberdeen. The Popcorn Factory is sponsoring Corban's appearance as part of the Grays Harbor Street Market grand opening on May 24 and there is no charge for admission. Popcorn Factory owner Celia Barry explained, "We want to encourage young musicians to come in and play. I was impressed when I first saw Ericka perform in March and I am very pleased that she will be doing two shows at the Popcorn Factory for the Street Market opening."
Corban, 23, appeared in an April 25 artist showcase sponsored by Seven17 Records, a Seattle independent record label and sister company to Track10, a northwest Christian music promoter. Corban's single, "Fourteen" was included in the showcase compilation CD and subsequently played by Seattle's Spirit 105.3 FM radio station on
their Local Music Project. Says Corban, "It was kind of weird hearing my song sandwiched between Jeremy Camp and Casting Crowns!"
Brenda Fysh of Track10 commented, "Ericka is very real onstage, which fits nicely with her acoustic style." Regarding her musical future, Fysh continued, "Ericka can write about things that she has not experienced, such as her song about divorce, "Anymore." This is a sign of a good songwriter, and I appreciate her lyrics."
While Corban's schedule is managed by her two-month old daughter, Keziah, she continues to actively pursue her music career. She is currently recording her original music at Pleasant Hill Recording Studio in Chehalis WA. In early August, Corban will appear at "Music in the Rockies," a national music competition held in Estes Park,
Colorado and sponsored by the Gospel Music Association.
A sampling of Corban's music can be found on her website at www.myspace.com/erickacorban and track10.com
- The Daily World, 5/15/08

Inspirational music duo Ericka Corban and her husband Mattaniah will perform their original music on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 7 pm at Saron Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8th and M Streets in Hoquiam. Their show will be preceded by a meal from 5:30-6:30 pm and worship service at 6:30. Saron invites the community to join them for this installment of “Gather,” a monthly night of food, fellowship, worship and music. There is no charge for the event.
Corban is well known in East County as Ericka Swalander, former standout student-athlete at Elma High School and Grays Harbor College. A journeyman performer at 22, Corban toured eight western states with 30 shows in 2006. She has also played for U.S. troops in Germany in 2005 while on an eight-month mission for the Assembly of God.
Corban sings, plays guitar and writes her own material in collaboration with husband and manager Mattaniah Small. Her clever, story-telling lyrics, dynamic voice and tasteful guitar accompaniment provide a contemporary, country/rock crossover sound. In addition to her solo music, Corban fronts for The Beggars, a rock band that she describes as “kind of alternative.” When asked to categorize her music, Corban quipped, “Hopefully popular!”
High hopes and plans for a successful music career are tempered by a practical outlook forged from Corban’s experience in the business. The couple is also expecting their first child in March. “I have 18 original songs ready, but a successful tour requires a new CD and other materials. Mattaniah and I are just going to continue working hard to make it happen.” Corban plans to perform in a showcase for Christian record producers at the end of April.
This busy pair are no strangers to hard work. They are employed at LaVogue Department Store in Hoquiam, where Small is store manager. According to owner Brad Bitar, “Matt and Ericka have been a godsend.” They also provide music leadership at the McCleary Assembly of God.
A sampling of Corban’s music can be found on her website at www.myspace.com/erickacorban.
- The Daily World, 2/16/08

Ericka Corban and husband Mattaniah on drums perform at the Popcorn Factory in Aberdeen Saturday afternoon, amidst the Grays Harbor Street Market. Corban, a 2003 Elma High School alumnus, has slowly been gaining in popularity among the local open mic scene and has performed at several local churches. In August, she'll be at the Music in the Rockies competition in Colorado, where she'll compete among some of the best songwriters and performers in the country. You can catch her next show 9pm June 7 at Tenino Middle School, but she also frequently comes back to the harbor. - The Daily World, 5/30/08