Today we speak to guitarist and vocalist Eric from the American rock band Leaving Eden. He tells us about their passion to make the world a better place through music. Plus, he reveals the countless number of international bands and artists they’ve supported including Alice Cooper, Motorhead and Eric’s favourite, Black Sabbath.
Band Name: Leaving Eden
Members: Eve (lead vocals), Alyssa (keys & vocals, Jake (drums), Eric (guitar & vocals), & Rich (bass & vocals)
Genre: Rock, Metal, Alternative, Pop
Founded: 2008
Originated From: New England, USA
Discography: Between Heaven & Hell (Album, 2013), Out of the Ashes (Album, 2017), Descending (Album, 2018), Agony of Affliction (Album, 2019), Pinnacle (Album, 2019), Tied & Bound (Album, 2019), Dream With Me (Album, 2020) & Fable (Album, 2021)
How would you describe your music?
I think that Leaving Eden has quite an eclectic array of musical genres, which interweaves throughout our albums. We don’t like to stick to just one thing. We won awards for best metal, best hard-core, yet we have acoustic songs, pop songs and some really laid-back and mellow songs as well.
Leaving Eden‘s songs are lyric driven with much harmony and melody. Leaving Eden is best seen and heard live.
What is your musical creative process like?
It does all happen differently at different times. Sometimes I will already have the lyrics done and write the music later. Sometimes I’ll have a melody and record the music and then search for the lyrics that I have already written. And then sometimes I’ll have the lyrics and put music to that. But it all comes from a place where I utilise my connection to the universe as we all have.
So, lots of times I’ll just kind of listen and there’s always some sort of song playing out there in my mind’s eye. I actually have to shut it off at times. I do believe that other artists that have come and gone are able to have a connection, find a conduit so to speak because I believe that they might want to continue through somebody else. You never know.
How did the band form?
Eve originally tried out to be the singer and she got the job. We then started a band and Rick the bass player joined – this was before Leaving Eden.
Once Eve and I founded the band Leaving Eden, eventually the drummer position was available and Jake asked for that and we met Alyssa at a venue where she asked to play keys and sing back up. The rest is history.
How did you come up with your band name?
Well, we figured that this whole planet in the beginning was considered the garden of Eden and now with it being so corrupt and full of deception, wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere else for a little bit. Thus, Leaving Eden.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
Well, I look and influence kind of like intrinsic motivation. Of course, good music is always a catalyst for that. I think that playing so many concerts with so many “rock stars“ has definitely influenced me a long time ago as to where I wanted to be. A lot of it has been surreal actually but nonetheless it all really happened.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
Leaving Eden has toured the USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest international bands in the world including Alice Cooper, Avenged Sevenfold, Black Sabbath, Halestorm, Motorhead, Papa Roach, Shinedown, Slayer, ZZ Top, Nickelback, Skillet, several Woodstock reunions, plus many many more.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
Being able to write, record, perform live, make many friends, it’s all good!
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
The snakes out there waiting to prey upon artists. There’s so many of them out there. So, it’s difficult determining the good from the bad. It definitely becomes a struggle. Just gotta be careful and go with your gut feeling.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
We just finished a live album/DVD titled Leaving Eden live the lockdown sessions. I do not have a release date yet. We finished off one album Dream With Me and released it in May 2020 and finished our next album as well, titled Fable, which released in January 2021.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
I guess assisting in making the world a better place any way we can. We even have a song named The World Could Be A Better Place.
To find out more about Leaving Eden, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand YouTube.
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