ERIC JAMES ERSKINEERIC JAMES ERSKINE
By Nicky Baldrian
Eric James
Erskine is the new sensation from Moultonboro, New Hampshire in
the USA. Eric is a killer singer/songwriter in the Rick
Springfield, Nelson, Henry Lee Summer, Scott Sudbury, Paul Simon,
John Cougar, Kenny Loggins, and Steve Perry vein, what you get is
eight lightweight acoustic/piano led songs with thoughtful
heartfelt lyrics, such as the excellent 'The Evil That Men Do'
the soothing and dreamy harmonic led 'Drifting Away', the
gorgeous Jonathan Caine, Mark Spiro, Kee Marcello-ish ballad 'The
Ballad Of Martha Brown' and the opening song 'Walking In A
Straight Line' all make for perfect late night listening. I did
discover one classy song amongst the other gems called 'Feels
Like Rain', this song is a relaxing soft pop/rock song with
killer vocal harmonies similar to Richard Marx, Rick Springfield,
Henry Lee Summer and Tim Feehan, here Eric's voice is really soft
and very smooth.
Such was the delight of this album that I got up with Mr.Erskine
and here's what went down....
Nicky:- Tell me
about your 'November' cd, it's a brilliant blend of acoustic pop
rock and AOR?
Eric:- I recorded the CD,'November' in the fall and winter of
1999. I finished the project in early 2000 and released the CD in
the Spring of 2000. All of the songs on the CD were written by me
and produced by Tom Dean. We recorded and mixed the songs at Top
of the Hill recording studio, in Eaton, NH. This studio sits atop
a small mountain in a rural section of New Hampshire. Tom Dean,
the producer, is formerly from a band called 'Devonsquare' that
released two albums on Atlantic Records. Tom currently works as a
producer and solo artist. The songs were mastered by Jonathan
Wyner at M-Works in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
How has the
reaction been to 'November'?
Eric:- I have experienced a lot of local success including
airplay on radio stations in New Hampshire. I am currently
seeking a wider scope of distribution. The CD can currently be
purchased on http://www.amazon.com.
Nicky:- Tell me
about the songs on 'November'?
Eric:- Most of the songs were written over a 6 month
period.'Straightline' and 'Drifting Away' I wrote in a very short
time, during recording.
Most of the time I write the words and music together. Some of
the songs come from thoughts and emotions but others like 'The
Evil That Men Do' come out of nowhere.They just seem to flow out
from some deep place inside. I can never force a song out. It
just needs to be there.
Nicky:- Where do
you get your ideas and inspirations from?
Eric:- I have so many influences starting from my childhood to
present. I always seemed to have this special connection with
music. I started singing at an early age.The inspiration for the
name of the CD came from both the time of the year it was
produced and also the feelings evoked by the songs. I took the
photo pictured on the cover of 'November'. It shows a November
like scene of a barn near where I live. Interestingly, this barn
was taken down piece by piece and moved to another location in
the Spring of 2000 when I released the CD.
Nicky:- How about
musically, which bands are you influenced by?
Eric:- I think the first song that ever spoke to me was 'Cats and
The Cradle' It was the first time I noticed that songs can really
say something. As I got older I loved bands like Kiss and Van
Halen.
Edward Van Halen made me take an interest in the guitar. And
Steve Perry the first time I heard his voice, I was blown away.
Rick Springfield's song 'Jessie's Girl' was the first song I
learned to play and sing. .I'm still striving to be a better
songwritter . I love U2 , Sting and a whole host of others,
there's just to many to mention.
Nicky:- Any plans
for a second album - have you written and recorded any new songs
yet?
Eric:- I've recorded two new songs since the release of
'November'. I put out a special benefit cd called 'Chasing The
Wind' for a little girl named Lindsey Frank. Lindsey is five
years old and has a brain tumour. I wanted to raise money to help
with the medical costs. She has received treatments to shrink her
tumour. I'm always writing and I have just started to record and
I'm hoping to release a CD in the near future
Nicky:- Do you
perform live?
Eric:- I try to perform live at least once a week. I play out as
a solo artist. I really love stripping the songs down and playing
them like they were before I recorded them. Just voice and a
guitar. It can make or break you .There's no place to hide.
Nicky:-
What's next on the agenda for you then Eric?
Eric:- Well Nicky I want to continue to become a better
songwriter and singer, and release albums, of course I would love
to be on a label but I don't know how realistic that is.
Even distribution of 'November' would be nice, I would like to
reach as many people as I possibly can. Thank you so much for
taking an interest in me and my music.I look forward to hearing
from you all...............
Indeed Eric Erskine
is one hell of a great artist, you can buy the album from http://www.amazon.com or http://www.mp3.com or Email Eric direct @ e.erskine@hedgehog-hill.com you won't be disappointed, that I can
promise you.