ilyAIMY (; stylized as ilyĀIMY) is an American percussive acoustic rock band.
ilyAIMY has developed a following primarily through folk music festivals such as Eddie's Attic Acoustic Shootout and coffeehouses in the Mid-Atlantic, northeastern, and Midwestern areas of the United States. ilyAIMY has toured in many parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The band is symbolized by an iconic spine created by Hinkal.
Members rob Hinkal – acoustic guitar, vocals Heather Aubrey Lloyd – acoustic guitar, vocals, cajón, djembe Kristen Jones – cello, electric cello, vocals Rowan Corbett – djembe, bones, cajón, percussion, vocals Keola Yamada – bass guitar, keyboard Joey Jenkins – percussion
Former Members Audrey Engdahl – acoustic guitar, vocals Frank Rusch – bass guitar Alfred Kamajian – percussion
History ilyAIMY was originally inspired by a four-member musical ensemble called "i love you And I MIss You" formed in the mid-1990s, with members rob Hinkal, William Schaff, Carin Wagner (now Sloan), and Sonny Roelle, all of whom were students at the Maryland Institute College of Art. The band released a two-cassette (90 minutes each) collection of songs, and it recorded another that was not released.
ilyAIMY was formed in 1999."Meet the Band: ilyAIMY (i love you And I Miss You)". The Baltimore Sun. May 5, 2005. p. T5. The band released its first album under the name ilyAIMY in 2003. Heather Aubry Lloyd joined the band in the summer of 2001. Rowan Corbett and Sharif joined around 2003. Kristen Jones joined in 2009. Joey Jenkins joined around 2017.
The band, primarily in the form of Hinkal and Lloyd, has toured the country since September 1, 2003.
The band is known for its high-energy blend of folk, jazz, rock, soul, and blues."Concert series to continue at Talbot Senior Center". The Star-Democrat (Easton, Maryland). October 7, 2019. p. A2.
Name etymology The name ilyAIMY is an acronym for "I love you and I miss you",Duck, Michael (August 15, 2010). "A band's-eye view of fest". The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania). p. 6. inspired by William Schaff's musical ensemble of the same name.
Discography I Love You and I Miss You, 1996 Jump starting the Bus, 1997 The Grave, 1998 Strength in Hare, 1998 Clockwork Wooden Mouse Dreams, 1998 Strength in Hare - A Mere Demonstration, 2000 Wingsweep/Wingswept, 2000 Bulldozer Not Included, 2001 Myxomatosis Failed, 2003Myxomatosis Failed. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. September 1, 2003. On Luck On Fumes On Spit On Love, 2003on Luck on Fumes on Spit on Love. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. September 2, 2003. Myxomatosis Took Its Toll, 2005Myxomatosis Took Its Toll. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. January 1, 2005. the fifth circle, 2006the fifth circle. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. January 1, 2006. Between Lover and Twilight, 2007Between Lover and Twilight. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. August 12, 2007. A Gift for Saint Cecilia, 2009A Gift For Saint Cecilia. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. August 1, 2009. Another Life/Another Live (Double CD), 2013Another Life/Another Live. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. September 8, 2013. Cicada, 2017Cicada. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. June 15, 2017. Live at the New Deal Cafe, 2020Live at the New Deal Cafe. ilyAIMY. via Bandcamp. May 1, 2020. Chords of Courage Volume One, 2022Chords of Courage Volume One. IlyAIMY. via Bandcamp. December 2, 2022. Let Us Show You How to End It (Vol. 1) (EP), 2025Let Us Show You How To End It (Vol. 1). IlyAIMY. via Bandcamp. February 7, 2025. Let Us Show You How to End It (Vol. 2) (EP), 2026Let Us Show You How To End It (Vol. 2). IlyAIMY. via Bandcamp. February 7, 2025. Let Us Show You How to End It (Double CD), 2026
Heather Aubrey Lloyd Samples, 2010 (as Heather Lloyd)Samples. Heather Lloyd. via Bandcamp. August 1, 2010. A Message in the Mess, 2017A Message in the Mess. Heather Aubrey Lloyd. via Bandcamp. February 24, 2017. The Lucky Ones, 2018The Lucky Ones. Heather Aubrey Lloyd. via Bandcamp. July 31, 2018.
Kristen Jones Seasons, 2017Seasons (Chris Cornell cello cover). Kristen Jones. via Bandcamp. June 1, 2017.
Book Eat Like An Acoustic Grunge Band, 2017.
Awards 2021: Heather Aubrey Lloyd – Mid-Atlantic Song Contest – Gold in Covid-19 Song Category for "My Kinda Quarantiner""MASC 37 Winning Songs". The Songwriters' Association of Washington. 2021. 2021: Heather Aubrey Lloyd – Northeast Regional Folk Alliance award for "My Kinda Quarantiner""My Kinda Quarantiner - Heather Aubrey Lloyd (NPR Tiny Desk Contest Submission 2021)". Heather Aubrey Lloyd. via YouTube. January 17, 2022. 2021: rob Hinkal – Mid-Atlantic Song Contest Freedom Song Category for "unEven" 2019-2020: Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, Adult Contemporary – Grand Prize Winner 2019: Heather Aubry Lloyd – Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award (Adult Category)"History & Past Winners". Strathmore. Retrieved February 7, 2025. 2017–2018: SERFA – Formal Showcase – Nat'l Women's Music Fest – New Artist 2017-2018: Falcon Ridge Folk Fest – Most Wanted 2017-2018: Telluride Folk Fest – (4th) Troubadour 2017-2018: Mid-Atlantic Song Contest – Director's Award, Album of the Year 2017-2018: Rocky Mtn. Folks Fest – Honorable Mention 2016: American Songwriter Magazine Lyric Contest – Honorable Mention 2015: Washington Area Music Awards "Best Contemporary Folk / Acoustic Artist" 2014: Washington Area Music Awards "Best Contemporary Folk / Acoustic Artist" 2013: Sound Off Live!"Sound Off Competition". The Baltimore Sun. July 18, 2013. p. T15. 2012: Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Formal Showcase Artist 2012: Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Most-Wanted Artist 2011: Northeast Regional Folk Alliance DJ Showcase Artist 2011: Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist 2010: Mid-Atlantic Formal Showcase Artist – National Association for Campus Activities 2009: Finalist Eddie's Attic Acoustic Open Mic Shootout 2007: "In the Water" selected as "One of the Best Songs of 2006" by www.indieacoustic.com 2006: Heather Aubry Lloyd – Honorable Mention in the International Narrative Song Contest ("In the Water") 2006: Heather Aubry Lloyd – Winner of the Cape Fear Folk Festival High Noon Shootout 2006: Heather Aubry Lloyd – Finalist at the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition 2005: Finalists at Eddie's Attic Acoustic Open Mic Shootout XXII 2005: rob Hinkal – Finalist at the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk 2005: rob Hinkal – 3rd place at the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition 2005: Heather Aubry Lloyd – Finalist at the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition 2004: Winner at the Takoma Park Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase 2002: Nominated Best Contemporary Folk Group or Duo, Washington Area Music Association 2001: Nominated Best Alternative Rock Album for Wingsweep/Wingswept, Washington Area Music Association
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