I recently had the chance to sit down with Boston-born singer/songwriter Eric Leva to discuss his musical inspiration. Eric, talented and humble, has been making music for years. He’s covered some of today’s popular hits but is now sharing his original music with the world.
His new single, “I Should Know,” is available today. He gave LD a preview of it a few weeks ago and we were instantly hooked. We think you’ll be, too. Here’s why you should get to know Eric and his music…
LD: How has your music evolved?
EL: I first started playing, writing and performing music when I was 8 years old. I’m a classically trained pianist so I was in serious piano lessons for most of my upbringing. I began singing and songwriting in high school and I spent the last four years studying, honing my craft, and figuring out my sound at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Berklee not only helped me develop my artistry, but also gave me a music business edge and a network of musicians to work with and be inspired by.
LD: How often do you write?
EL: Right now, I get up and write from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. whenever possible. Of course not every second is spent taking pen to paper, but I think about music constantly and I treat it like a full-time job. I’ve realized that I can’t turn my songwriter brain off. There are countless times when I’m just sitting at a coffee shop, catching up with a friend, and something they say will spark a lyric idea to the point where I’m fighting with myself to not take out my phone and jot the idea down. Those types of moments make for the best lyrics because they’re so honest and conversational.
LD: Who do you consider as major musical influences? What’s on your playlist?
EL: Ryan Tedder, Ingrid Michaelson, and Sara Bareilles are definitely three of my biggest influences. Most of the music I’m listening to right now is by my best friends. I love being able to listen along as their artistries unfold and evolve.
LD: What is “I Should Know” about?
EL: I wrote “I Should Know” in Prospect Park in Brooklyn with my friend Katie Costello. We hung out for two hours prior to writing to catch up over hummus sandwiches and coffee. Then we got the song done in another two hours. It was one of the easiest co-writes. That’s what happens when you have two people who can both relate to the same concept in a massive way. We were talking about what it means to be present in the moment as it happens and it was at a time where I really felt like I was battling between worrying about the future and letting go of the past. Now when I hear the song it feels like me in the present talking to myself in the past—nudging myself toward the encouragement to stop worrying about things that are out of my hands and choose to just exist under the sky in the moment. I want people to hear these lyrics and trust me when I say that everything really is going to be fine, even if they don’t think it is right now. But that place of worrying and fear—I’ve been there, too—I should know. Life has a way of balancing itself out even if it takes a while.
LD: If you could share one piece of advice to aspiring artists out there, what would that be?
EL: I think it’s important for artists and writers to fearlessly put themselves into their songs. For me, I want people to relate to me and my music, and feel better. I think if people focus on writing genuinely from the inside out, it’ll eventually have an impact on the masses. People know when a song comes from a true place. I also had a teacher at Berklee once say, “Ninety percent of what you write will not be your best 10 percent.” It’s true. Of course I’m still figuring it out as I go, but if you’re serious about pursuing a songwriting career, you have to write a lot right now and can’t get too hung up on waiting for the inspiration to strike.
LD: What’s next for you?
EL: Right now the plan is to release another song in the next couple months and then hopefully an EP. All I can say for sure is that there is definitely new music on its way and I hope everyone stays tuned!
Eric will be announcing upcoming performances in New York City and Boston. For more information on where to see him keep an eye on www.ericlevamusic.com.
Listen to “I Should Know,”on SoundCloud today or download it on iTunes and share what you think by tweeting at LD and Eric.