Eric Jon Interview
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: As a kid I grew up in a house with a pretty wide range of musical influence. My mom used to play the piano and was big into dance and pop music; while my step-dad, a drummer, could be heard in the basement jamming out to southern or classic rock. Some of the artists that stand out for me at that time were Madonna, Sting, The Allman Brothers and Pink Floyd. Although I tried to pick up an instrument, for the longest time my relationship to music was as a listener. Once I found an artist or band I liked, I would dive into their work front to back. I can still remember the feeling of discovering Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory or Coldplay’s X&Y. It wasn’t until I got to college that I began to embrace music for my own. I had the perfect combination of stress and musical influence. It started with the acoustic guitar. My long time friend and mentor Ty taught me the basics and inspired me through his performance. From there it was this perfect combination of things. My younger brother David introduced me to the DAW Ableton as well as the band Nine Inch Nails. I think In Rainbows by Radiohead was also released at that time. I was compelled to be able to make music like them and the rest is pretty much history. I’ve been teaching myself how to record, produce, mix and master for years. I love the never ending journey and I am always looking to improve my abilities as an artist.
Q: Your recent release Let It Go has a good amount of instrumentation. Did you play everything or work with other musicians?
A: With the exception of two tracks that I had the privilege of involving my brother “Shady Monk” on, everything was either performed or produced by myself. I know this will either disappoint or impress some people, but the percussion was actually all created using VSTs.
Q: What are some of the themes and topics you explore on the album?
A: I tried to be as honest with this album as I could. Everything I’m touching on is personal. As I’ve said before, it was really a form of therapy. Life can be scary. There is beauty here, but it comes with a price. Nothing lasts forever. Relationships that I care deeply about have ended. Dreams that I thought were coming true faded away. I find myself talking to a god I don’t believe in, and I ponder the concepts of life and death. As a whole, this album is about embracing the scary things and letting go the beautiful ones. Despite its darker tones, it leaves with a semblance of hope that I hope people can connect.
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: As a kid I grew up in a house with a pretty wide range of musical influence. My mom used to play the piano and was big into dance and pop music; while my step-dad, a drummer, could be heard in the basement jamming out to southern or classic rock. Some of the artists that stand out for me at that time were Madonna, Sting, The Allman Brothers and Pink Floyd. Although I tried to pick up an instrument, for the longest time my relationship to music was as a listener. Once I found an artist or band I liked, I would dive into their work front to back. I can still remember the feeling of discovering Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory or Coldplay’s X&Y. It wasn’t until I got to college that I began to embrace music for my own. I had the perfect combination of stress and musical influence. It started with the acoustic guitar. My long time friend and mentor Ty taught me the basics and inspired me through his performance. From there it was this perfect combination of things. My younger brother David introduced me to the DAW Ableton as well as the band Nine Inch Nails. I think In Rainbows by Radiohead was also released at that time. I was compelled to be able to make music like them and the rest is pretty much history. I’ve been teaching myself how to record, produce, mix and master for years. I love the never ending journey and I am always looking to improve my abilities as an artist.
Q: Your recent release Let It Go has a good amount of instrumentation. Did you play everything or work with other musicians?
A: With the exception of two tracks that I had the privilege of involving my brother “Shady Monk” on, everything was either performed or produced by myself. I know this will either disappoint or impress some people, but the percussion was actually all created using VSTs.
Q: What are some of the themes and topics you explore on the album?
A: I tried to be as honest with this album as I could. Everything I’m touching on is personal. As I’ve said before, it was really a form of therapy. Life can be scary. There is beauty here, but it comes with a price. Nothing lasts forever. Relationships that I care deeply about have ended. Dreams that I thought were coming true faded away. I find myself talking to a god I don’t believe in, and I ponder the concepts of life and death. As a whole, this album is about embracing the scary things and letting go the beautiful ones. Despite its darker tones, it leaves with a semblance of hope that I hope people can connect.
Q: Can you talk about your creative process?
A: I’d say most of my music begins with an overwhelming thought or emotion. If I can’t ignore it, I’ll grab an instrument and start muttering or singing whatever comes to mind. Over time, syllables and melodies start to form. Once I have an idea going I’ll record the instrumentation and layer in sounds. At first I like to use VSTs to generate a beat or a simple bass line. My go to’s are Battery and Massive. From there, I spend most of my time writing lyrics and experimenting with different ideas that I hope will lend to the track.
Q: Are you currently taking these songs on the road or playing them live?
A: I’m performing solo acoustic acts here and there, but currently looking to put together a band. I’d like to get this project on the road within the year.
Q: What else should we know about your music?
A: Expect a wide range of genres and sounds for the future. I love music of all styles and my influences are everywhere. I currently have two side projects. One, hip hop/indie-rock called Dae En’ Nite and the other electronic/indie-rock called Sunnybrook Road.
A: I’d say most of my music begins with an overwhelming thought or emotion. If I can’t ignore it, I’ll grab an instrument and start muttering or singing whatever comes to mind. Over time, syllables and melodies start to form. Once I have an idea going I’ll record the instrumentation and layer in sounds. At first I like to use VSTs to generate a beat or a simple bass line. My go to’s are Battery and Massive. From there, I spend most of my time writing lyrics and experimenting with different ideas that I hope will lend to the track.
Q: Are you currently taking these songs on the road or playing them live?
A: I’m performing solo acoustic acts here and there, but currently looking to put together a band. I’d like to get this project on the road within the year.
Q: What else should we know about your music?
A: Expect a wide range of genres and sounds for the future. I love music of all styles and my influences are everywhere. I currently have two side projects. One, hip hop/indie-rock called Dae En’ Nite and the other electronic/indie-rock called Sunnybrook Road.