Introduction
Erik Norlander (born 1967) is an American musician known for his work in the progressive rock genre.From 2007 to 2014 he was the touring and recording keyboardist for Asia Featuring John Payne. He is also the managing director of the sound production company Sonic Reality.
History
Starting in 1993, Norlander's earliest releases were with his band Rocket Scientists.He also collaborated in multiple roles on albums released by Lana Lane, his wife.
In November 2007, Erik was announced as the keyboard player for the Asia spin-off, Asia Featuring John Payne.
In 2009 Norlander was involved in a group named Roswell Six, who record album accompaniments to the work of science fiction writer and lyricist Kevin J. Anderson.Erik produced and composed the music for the group's album Terra Incognita: Beyond the Horizon.The album featured a variety of guest vocalists including James LaBrie, John Payne, Michael Sadler of Saga and Lana Lane.
Norlander also toured in Europe in 2009 with vocalist Joe Lynn Turner and the band Big Noize, featuring bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Carlos Cavazo and drummer Simon Wright. In 2011, Norlander again played with Big Noize, reformed with drummer Vinny Appice.
In 2014, Norlander played Hammond organ on the blues rock album by Alastair Greene, Trouble at Your Door.
Norlander worked extensively with the non-profit organization, the Bob Moog Foundation, from 2009 to present as both artist and advisor.
In 2016, Erik joined heavy metal band Last in Line as their touring keyboardist, debuting with the band in Miami, Florida, on 20 January 2016. It was also announced that Erik had joined the rock ballet production Heart of Storm with live dates in 2017 announced.
Discography
Solo albums
- Threshold (1997, re-released as a 2-CD package in 2003 as Threshold Special Edition)
- Into the Sunset (2000)
- Music Machine (2003, 2CD)
- Stars Rain Down (2004)
- Seas of Orion (2004)
- Live in St. Petersburg (2006, CD and DVD)
- Hommage Symphonique (2006)
- The Galactic Collective (2010, re-released as a 2-CD and DVD package in 2012 as "The Galactic Collective - Definitive Edition")
- Live in Gettysburg (2012, 2-CD and DVD)
- Surreal (2016)
Rocket Scientists albums
- Earthbound (1993)
- Brutal Architecture (1995)
- Earth Below and Sky Above: Live in Europe and America (1998)
- Oblivion Days (1999)
- Revolution Road (2006)
- Looking Backward (2007)
- Supernatural Highways (2014)
- Refuel (2014)
Lana Lane albums
- Love Is an Illusion (1995)
- Curious Goods (1996)
- Garden of the Moon (1998)
- Echoes from the Garden (1998)
- Live in Japan (1998)
- Ballad Collection (1998)
- Queen of the Ocean (1999)
- Echoes from the Ocean (1998)
- Best of Lana Lane 1995 – 1999 (1999)
- Secrets of Astrology (2000)
- Ballad Collection II (2000)
- Ballad Collection – Special Edition (2000)
- Project Shangri-La (2002)
- Covers Collection (2003)
- Winter Sessions (2003)
- Return to Japan (2004)
- Storybook: Tales from Europe and Japan (DVD, 2004)
- Lady Macbeth (2005)
- 10th Anniversary Concert (DVD/CD set, 2006)
- Gemini (2006)
- Red Planet Boulevard (2007)
- Best of Lana Lane 2000 – 2008 (2008)
- El Dorado Hotel (2012)