EricD unveils his single, “Because Of You”
EricD is a Canadian singer, pianist, author-songwriter (French and English), and Producer. Although not new in musical creation, having written music and lyrics for over 30 years, only now does he feel ready to present his music to the world.
EricD’s single, “Because Of You,” is the story of the feeling you get when seeing that incredible person that flares passion in your life. It’s a happy song with a jazz-pop groove style and a smile at the end.
Review
Beginning with a smooth rhythm section, then joined by EricD’s highly expressive and emotive vocals, “Because Of You” is a prime example of a well-done jazz-pop/ lounge tune.
The track has musical interludes with a strong emphasis on melody, with catchy hooks and memorable riffs, which give off a relaxing and laid-back vibe. EricD’s sometimes gritty, sometimes smooth vocals meld perfectly with the music.
The poetic lyrics “You know, I’ve been in LA, I’ve been in New York, I’ve seen some polar bear in Alaska, but I never seen someone move that way before, Miami’s kinda nice at this time of year, but there’s a place I’d rather be, Because Of You,” not only evokes passion, it also inspires the cover art of a dancing polar bear.
Overall, “Because Of You” is a delightful and charming blend of various genres that can appeal to many audiences.
Listen to “Because Of You” below and learn more about EricD via our 10-question interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am EricD. I was born In Quebec city but was raised in the Ottawa Region ( Gatineau). I am a singer, pianist, author-songwriter (French and English), and Producer. Although not new in musical creation, I have written music and lyrics for over 30 years, but it’s only recently that I felt ready to release my music to the world.
You have unveiled your single, “Because Of You.” Tell us a bit about the writing process behind the release.
It’s a funny thing because the song was originally to be a ballad. I spent hours working on the music but just couldn’t find the feel I was looking for. The intent was about appreciating the one we love. But the lyrics writing was taking me elsewhere. So, I started playing the music faster on the piano, and the tempo just felt good, and the lyrics followed as the mood was lighter. The more I played it, more the groove jazz style came in, and I took that artistic direction. It was a complete 360-degree switch, but really fun to work on.
Where do you tend to pull influences from when writing?
Elton John, Billy Joel, Gowan, Lady Gaga, Prince, and so many more. I love them all and I admire their ability to adapt their musical styles through time and being able to use music as a message and has a passion. But I got to admit that I have a sweet spot for Elton.
My inspiration is often situations I see, live, and read in the news. Basically, life is my inspiration. 😊
You release music in both English and French. Do these releases differ in other aspects than language? (genre, songwriting, production).
I actually compose differently in French than in English. The influence in French is more from artists like Eric Lapointe, la Chicane, Gerry Boulet, and many more. The songwriting process is different, in French, I write the music and then the lyric, whereas in English, I write the music and the lyric at the same time. Funny, even my voice sounds different in French versus English.
When did you start making music?
I started making music at around age 14. During this period, I started to compose and write ballads that I could play on the piano, but I was also writing more songs for our Rock band around age 16. We all wanted to be rock stars and were hoping to be picked by a big producer, but we did not even know where to send our music…loll. But it was so much fun to jam and perform at school.
Wow, this goes a long way!
What’s your favorite thing about being a musician in Quebec?
Well, I get to play and sing both in French and English, and I get to experience both music cultures, which are interesting, different, and bring their own pleasures. Many festivals and opportunities also.
Describe your sound in 3 words.
Easy listening Groove
Who would you choose if you could collaborate with any other Canadian artist?
This is a tough question because there are so many talented artists I would love to work with! But as for living an experience, it would be Gowan.
Who was the first Canadian artist to catch your attention growing up?
Triumph was certainly one of my favourite.