By, Sara Goode
A rhythmic maestro and artistic virtuoso, Jamie Ervay, from Hinsdale, NY stands out as a true Renaissance talent. Jamie Ervay is not only an accomplished musician renowned for his drumming prowess, but also a skilled artist who employs cutting edge technology to create unique works of art. The beat of his journey begins at a young age. Ervay’s father was a talented drummer who was an inspiration to him. When Ervay first picked up the drumsticks, he quickly realized his passion for rhythm and percussion. Over the years, he honed his skills, creating, assisting and managing band operations. Jamie played in the following bands- Led by The Blind, Avarice, Sardonic Grin, Best. Night Ever., Joker’s Wild leading up to Ervay becoming a sought-after drummer for hire, lending his talent to various bands and musical projects including his own solo project, Jamie Ervay which you can indulge in on Spotify, Soundcloud, Pandora, YouTube, Apple Music, Tidal… pretty much anywhere you can listen to music. Ervay’s rhythmic mastery has graced many stages, leaving audiences mesmerized by his beats. Ervay tells me, “I like music, loud music, it thumps you in the chest. The bass from the kick drum hitting my chest while I am drumming is what I like to feel.” Ervay’s favorite genre to play is progressive metal but participates and plays everything from classic rock to the blues as well.
Notably, Ervay has found a music haven here in Ellicottville NY and surrounding areas. Playing in local venues such as Balloons restaurant in Ellicottville and Talty’s Irish Pub in Olean, NY. Collaborating with fellow musicians, Ervay has become an integral part of the musical community, creating a harmonious atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Ervay also is very talented playing guitar and singing, after listening to his solo projects you will be completely enamored by his skills. Some of my favorite tracks he has recorded include, Slander Man, Feeding the Monster and Stardust; you can find on one of the many music platforms previously listed. When seeing Ervay play live I was impressed at his ability to be able to drum and sing at the time with such focus and perfection. Ervay also designs and creates his own album art and music videos. The last music video he produced for one of the songs that he created, “The Visitor”, Ervay tells me, “I was stuck at home during the pandemic, I had an idea to make to a simple FX video using my iPhone, Adobe After Effects, and in my office a cardboard box repurposed with a lightbulb inside as a spotlight. It took me one week and I drew about 5,500 clipping masks around my head, one for every frame of video, 24 frames per second.” Creative genius is all I gathered from that after viewing the video being aware of the creative process.
Ervay is the definition of creative fusion with his music and art. Ervay’s artistic talents extend far beyond the drum kit. He has embraced modern technology to explore the world of visual arts. From creating his own cartoons, doing graphic designs, creating logos and branding for small businesses to utilizing 3D printing and laser engraving, crafting innovative artworks pushing the boundaries of creativity. Ervay also uses design software and laser cutting technology to cut and assemble works of art from various types of material creating everything from ornamental lamps to jewelry. The possibilities with Ervay are endless, there isn’t much Ervay can’t do and his art resonates with those who encounter it. Ervay’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and creativity. Ervay continues to evolve as an artist and musician serving as an inspiration to aspiring talents and a testament to the limitless possibilities of pursuing one’s passions. Ervay will continue contributing in the local music scene, here in Ellicottville NY and you will soon find his other art crafts such as jewelry and sculptures appearing in the Ellicottville community as well for purchase. Ervay has an Etsy store, slackerproductions.etsy.com as well where you can also request custom crafted items. You can also reach Ervay’s design page on Facebook.com- Slacker Productions. Ellicottville and the world at large await the next chapter in the artistic odyssey of Jamie Ervay, the gifted drummer and artist.