The Sound:                                       
Percussive, finger-style acoustic guitar, tribal percussion and lush male-female harmonies are the signature sound of ilyAIMY. The songs, a modern take on folk and roots music that includes elements of alternative rock, metal, country and R&B, have been recognized by some of the nation’s most prestigious festivals and contests. ilyAIMY has been called “a welcome jolt in folk,” and “a combustible attack on the usual singer-songwriter fare.”   Often compared to a combination of Rusted Root, Buckingham/Nicks, acoustic Tool, Ani Difranco, Keller Williams, "Nickel Creek on crack," Alice in Chains and the Indigo Girls. Their serious songwriting is contrasted by their wacky and well-versed sense of humor which merely amplifies their intensely intimate relationship with every audience.

Biography:
Hinkal’s art-college music project, i love you And I Miss You, came together as a response to a Baltimore sticker project featuring that phrase, accompanied by nostalgic family pictures. Upon graduation, Hinkal took the acronym, ilyAIMY, and continued to make music. In 2001, he met Lloyd at an open mic in College Park, MD, where she was pursuing her journalism degree. She returned to her first love – music - joining the band and adding her songs. In Sept. 2003, the pair quit their day jobs and started touring the country. Five years later, they continue to do everything themselves – artwork, songwriting, press, booking, bookkeeping and managing – allowing them to play the places they love: bars, coffeehouses, house concerts, sushi restaurants, street festivals, etc. They have played in 41 states, surviving hurricanes, flat tires, Biker Week, nudist folk festivals, a severe car accident and each other, pausing only for Christmas and Heather Lloyd’s stint as Dar Williams’ percussionist on her 2008 Promised Land Tour.

Since Lloyd joined in 2001, the band has released four full-length CDs, the most recent being 2007’s Between Lover and Twilight.

Recent Awards:
2007
- Finalist (duo) Eddie's Attic Acoustic Shootout (GA)
2006
- Indie Acoustic Project "25 Songs of Note," awarded to "In the Water" (from "The Fifth Circle")
- Winner (Heather) Cape Fear Folk Fest High Noon Songwriter's Shootout (NC)
- Honorable Mention (Heather) The International Narrative Song Contest ("In the Water")
- Finalist (Heather) Susquehanna Music & Arts Fest Songwriter's Contest (MD)
2005
- Finalist (Rob) Kerrville's Grassy Hill New Folk (TX)
- Finalist (duo) Eddie's Attic Acoustic Shootout (GA)
- Semi-finalist (duo) Mountain Stage Newsong (WV)
- 3rd Place (Rob) Susquehanna Music & Arts Fest Songwriter's Contest (MD)
- Finalist (Heather) Susquehanna Music & Arts Fest Songwriter's Contest (MD)
2004 - Winner (quartet) Takoma Park Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase (MD)
2002 - Washington Area Music Association – nominated Best Contemporary Folk Group or Duo (DC)
2001 - Washington Area Music Association – nominated Best Alternative Rock Album (DC)