In just a few short years, indie-punk quartet E.R.I.E. has solidified themselves as one of the most reliable and entertaining live acts in the vibrant greater Albany, NY music scene. Last year’s “Suburban Mayhem” was a resplendent examination of the world around them, brimming with energy, vulnerability and urgency. One year later, they’re on the precipice of an epic next chapter.
Introducing “The Highs, The Lows, And Everything In Between” — a concept record in three parts. It is a poignant examination of the music industry both past and present, and it is E.R.I.E. at their biggest and boldest. The energetic and anthemic first single, “A LOT TO THINK ABOUT”, sets the tone nicely for what’s coming: three EP-sized installments beginning with THE HIGHS on September 27, 2024 via Mint 400 Records. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
E.R.I.E.: Levi and I have lived in the Albany, NY area most of our lives. TJ hails from Connecticut, and Chad provides our Midwest cred as a native Michigander. But we’re all in the Albany area now. We’ve all had numerous musical projects over the years, but E.R.I.E. got off the ground in 2019. TJ wrote and recorded a batch of songs and wanted to bring them to life with a full live band. Upon first listening to the demos, I was hooked and fully in. Chad and Levi came on board shortly thereafter, and we’ve been full speed ahead ever since…well, minus that whole involuntary 2020 pause the entire world took! [Matt Delgado – Guitar]
2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘E.R.I.E.?
E.R.I.E.: We really have a diverse group of influences, but they all share an ability to “just go for it.” From Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World, to Taylor Swift and Rush; they all wrote music that expressed their inner thoughts, and bashed those songs out in front of the masses, leaving it all on the stage. [Levi Jennes – Bass]
The name E.R.I.E. was concocted by taking the last two letters of each of my daughters’ first names, because I’m a sentimental bastard. At the time I only had two daughters – I now have a third, and luckily her nickname is “Dot” so she’s represented by the periods in our name. That worked out pretty nicely. [TJ Foster – Vocals/Guitar]
3. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
E.R.I.E.: I’ve always gravitated towards pop songwriting, regardless of what genre I’m listening to. If the songs are authentic, and have hooks that suck you in immediately, I’m sold. I like to think that comes through in our songs and will hopefully resonate with listeners. [TF]
We play honest, indie rock, made by four dudes who are still giving it their all. We bring all of our life experiences into every note we play. We care a lot about what we do, and that should hopefully resonate with everyone who checks us out![LJ]
4. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?
E.R.I.E.: I’ve always been sort of a manic songwriter. I’ll become really invested in a certain style, and then after a record or two, I tend to start feeling like, if I make another one in that same vein, it’ll feel stale or uninspired so I try something a little different. Sure, I started off the way a lot of folks do – emulating others, as you said. To this day, I’m sure I still do that, but it’s more of a subconscious thing. E.R.I.E. is probably the first project where I’ve settled into a genre and not found my mind wandering into other styles of music. It’s comforting, feeling like we’re making music that suits us, and continuing to find new ways to expand and improve. [TF]
5. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
E.R.I.E.:
I think it’s both. Art is ultimately in the eye of the beholder; as a creator you have an idea you want to express, and you do your best to convey that message in a framework that is limited only by your abilities as the creator. Once it is done, and you hang it on the proverbial wall, it is now released into the wild and it exists on its own. The viewer/listener then brings their own experiences and interprets your creation, and how they interpret your words and melodies could be very different than your intent. However, giving people insight to the scenario that inspired your creation will likely be incorporated into how they understand your creation, making it more like a dialogue. [LJ]
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try to affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
E.R.I.E.: My view on this definitely shifted over the last decade or so. I never considered myself a political person – still don’t necessarily, but it’s hard to ignore in this day and age. There’s a lot to say, and most of it is being said pretty ineloquently. I do try and channel some of my frustrations in my songs, but in a more sociological kind of lane. I’m never going to write songs about the economy or foreign policy or whatever; I’m not educated enough on those subjects to have that work in my favor or to even seem authentic. So I focus more on what I’m passionate about, like social issues. Those I understand enough to where I think I can write a logical, meaningful discourse in a tight, three-minute package. For me, music has always been a way to express thoughts and feelings. As you get older, you start paying more attention to the world around you and so it’s only natural that some of those viewpoints would seep into my songs. I definitely don’t avoid it like I used to – songs are powerful things. I see no reason why we shouldn’t try and use the platform for good. On the contrary, there’s also nothing wrong with leaving it strictly entertainment-focused. I think we could all use a break from reading / hearing opinions shouted into a void. [TF]
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
E.R.I.E.: This is a really great question, and it ties in so nicely with the record we’re working on, The Highs, The Lows, and Everything in Between, which explores a lot of this. While writing these songs, I found myself asking some version of this question so many times. It scared me to an extent, because up until now, I’d never doubted any of it. Music has always been a part of my life and I suppose questioning “why keep going” is akin to a crisis of faith. Because although it’s easier than ever to make and release music, it’s consequently harder than ever to get people to listen to it, let alone care about it. The amount of time it takes to make a record – a song, even – is so much greater than the amount of time folks spend listening to it. Which I’m not saying to be negative, it’s just the inherent nature of the process. And I don’t think the general population necessarily understands that. But in spite of that, to answer both your question and mine, making music still fills me up the same way it did when I was a teenager, making sloppy punk rock in a basement or a garage. My expectations have certainly changed – the industry is vastly different than it was 20 years ago – and I think that sense of pragmatism has been hard to cope with. [TF]
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
E.R.I.E.: TJ will flesh out the basic chords, melodies, structure and lyrics (which are usually gibberish at this stage). From there, we collaboratively build the arrangement. He might have an idea where he wants the song to go, but that will usually morph once the rest of the band sinks their teeth into it. We record everything as we are writing, which gives us a chance to listen to the evolution of the song, and pick up on bits of inspiration that may have been forgotten along the way. [LJ]
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
E.R.I.E.: The thing that comes to mind for me is honestly the thing that led to the formation of E.R.I.E. In 2018, I was on a heart monitor so my doctors could test certain symptoms I was having. One night, I collapsed on my bathroom floor and the monitor read that my heart stopped for a good 15 seconds. It was the middle of the night and I was rushed to the hospital where they ended up performing surgery and installing a pacemaker. It was definitely harrowing, and all the emotions you would expect to accompany something like that certainly did. The silver lining about it all was it brought me back to music in a way. Not that I ever stopped playing or writing, but it had been a little while since I had played in a louder, dare-I-say rock-and-roll band. Life is short, so I figured I better try and do the damn thing again. The lyrics “Fire Away” – the first song on our first record, Don’t Wanna Live, Don’t Wanna Die – were written almost entirely from that hospital bed. The rest is history; thankfully, I’m not yet. [TF]
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
E.R.I.E.: We are grateful for every opportunity we get to play these songs in front of people. We’ve gotten the opportunity to share the stage with some of our musical heroes, and we’ve gotten to make friends with bands/performers that have become new inspirations. Our little operation has grown over the last four years, and there are so many things to look forward to that we haven’t had a chance to look back. We are really excited to release this EP into the world, as these are the strongest songs we’ve put together to date! [LJ]
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