Ontario’s Eric Jackson & The Willow River Band shares new single, “Only a Livin'”
Based out of the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Eric Jackson & The Willow River Band is an alt-country/folk group focusing on both original music and covers.
The band’s latest single, “Only a Livin'” features fellow Ontario country musician, Jessie T, and serves as the band’s first single of 2023.
Review
“Only a Livin'” encapsulates the bittersweet realities of working life through raw and relatable lyrics and a catchy melody. The chorus, “It’s only a job, just a pain in your neck, and at the end of the week the bank looks sweet, but you’re digging your grave for a paycheck, the time you waste, ain’t getting it back, and tomorrow it ain’t giving, it’s only a livin’ but it ain’t living” powerfully conveys the struggles and disillusionment associated with a demanding job.
The addition of Jessie T’s versatile vocals results in a rich and dynamic listening experience with contrasting yet complementary vocal tones. The song’s seamless blend of vocal harmonies and anthemic lyrics make it a standout collaboration that showcases both artists’ vocals along with the upbeat instrumentation.
Overall, the track serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize personal fulfillment and seize the precious moments that life has to offer.
Listen to “Only a Livin'” below and learn more about the band via our 10-question interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Aanii, Boozhoo Niijiiyag, Eric Jackson-Sarkany ind-izhinikaaz. Hello, friends, my name is Eric Jackson-Sarkany. I am a Métis man from the Waterloo Region area of Ontario, and the lead singer of Eric Jackson & The Willow River Band
You released your latest single, “Only a Livin’.” What can you tell us about the writing process behind the release?
Last fall I was laid off from my job, and it was a job that I had poured everything I had into. When they laid me off I realized I had spent too long caring too much about a job that when it came down to it, only saw me as another number. I felt a lot of emotions; anger, fear, relief. I reached out to my friend Jessie T and said “we gotta write about this!” We sat down, had a little vent session about my job, and then wrote the song in a couple of hours.
You worked with Jessie T on the single. How was that experience?
Working with Jessie is always a blast. She also co-wrote our song ‘Another Lie’ on our debut album released last summer. Working with Jessie is a very relaxing process. She’s the kind of person you can be your true self around, and it just seems like the ideas start flowing as soon as you start working with her.
You unveiled a lyric video to accompany the single. How did you come up with the idea behind the lyric video?
We wanted the lyric video to be very simple. Just show images of how crazy life is, people running around the streets, busy traffic. We’re just always go, go, go. We also wanted something that wasn’t too distracting so the focus was on the lyrics, so people can learn it and sing along at shows!
When writing, where do you tend to pull inspiration from?
We pull from a lot of things but mostly real-life experiences and stories we hear from others. A lot of our songs are lyrics we’ve either experienced before, or someone very close to us has shared a story with us about their own life. Sometimes it’s really sad, and other times it’s an upbeat song you’d dance to on a Friday night.
What’s your favourite thing about being a musician in Waterloo?
I have to say my favourite thing about being a musician in Waterloo is all the other musicians and artists we get to work with! It really is a small community and everyone is just so accessible to each other. So from writing to recording, producing, and performing, there is just non-stop support from everyone around us.
Do you have any upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
We’ve got a packed summer of shows! On June 11th we’re playing the Grand Porch Party in Waterloo, followed by Neighbours Day in Kitchener on June 17, Ayr Porchfest in Ayr on June 24, Willibald Distillery in Ayr on July 20, The Yeti in Kitchener on August 19 and Schneiders Creek Porchfest on September 23.
If you could work with any fellow Canadian artist, who would you choose?
I can only pick one? I’ve gotta say, Michael Bublé. I love mixing two genres, and he’s mixed his Jazz with Country before so I know he’s got it in him!
Who was the first Canadian artist or band to catch your attention growing up?
Shania Twain. I grew up listening to Shania. Her music is just always so good to dance to so I’d blast her CDs and put on concerts in my living room as a kid.
What’s up next for you in 2023?
We are still in the studio working on some new music so expect another single later this year, maybe even a short album. We never stop writing so come out to our shows and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ejacksonmusic. You might just hear another new song!
Connect with Eric Jackson & The Willow River Band:
Website
Facebook
Instagram