We recently had the chance to catch up with pop singer Eric Hutchinson for updates on his career,
song writing and home in New York City.
Interview by Liz Brossard
Whenever an artist is about to release a new album or start a new tour the media jumps at the opportunity to harass them and ask those questions that they have been asked 100 times before. I may not be any different; however, it is always a treat when you get to speak to an artist who reminds you of an all too short summer with a drink in hand. For me, that is and was Eric Hutchinson. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to be introduced to the music styling of Hutchinson, this will be your catalyst.
Huthinson is about to launch his newest album “Moving Up Living Down” on April 18th and his tour is set to begin the same week, in Denver, and he will make his way across the United States. A few weeks ago Hutchinson played his newest single “ Watching you Watching Him”, on the David Letterman show. This was not his first appearance on a late night show, he has frequented the Conan O’brien Show as well as Late Night with Craig Ferguson, but it was likely the most publicized due to social media outlets like Twitter.
“I was really excited and it was really fun to be around that whole world, I get there early in the day to do my rehearsals and it is fun to just hang out and sneak in to watch the different rehearsals and chit chat with the writers,” said Hutchinson. Hutchinson calls New York City home and uses the city itself as well as a physical studio there to create his melodies and his lyrics.
“I don’t think there is any one that that I do it [write music], but lately I tend to write from a rhythm first. I start with a beat or I will be walking down the street and I will just hear a beat in my head, “ said Hutchinson. “ Sometimes I will be in a conversation with somebody and they say three words in an order that just strikes me. I write it down. You never know it could be my next single, I am always on the lookout.”
Hutchinson would describe this album as a soul album and he would consider his first album more pop, but overall he considers himself a soul singer. He won’t record a song on an album if it doesn’t come from a real place. His previous album “Sounds Like This” was indecently produced through Hutchinson although this album was picked up by Warner Brother Records and was produced by Mike Elizondo, a protégé of Dr. Dre and Martin Terefe who produced albums for Jason Mraz. “When I first met Mike, he is a huge huge Beatles fan like I am, the first thing I saw when I walked in was this big Beatles poster and right there I knew I was in the right place, I mean we really hit it off. He even played some guitar and bass on my album,” said Hutchinson
To describe Hutchinson’s new album and or previous album it seems that he channels older musicians like the Beatles and Isley Hayes. He beats are infectious and his lyrics are catchy. Hutchinson enjoys getting really detailed and he believes that he sometimes over thinks it all, but he really enjoys getting into the songs. He can use his detail orientation in the studio and get really into the music while on stage, one of his favorite places to be.
“There are certain songs that I like , certain songs that I think the fans will like, but then, when you get on tour you wouldn’t even think that they would like this one song and they end up really enjoying it. I mean it is really fun for me to feed off the energy of the crowd,” said Hutchinson. This new album is all about transitions and growing from a young adult into an adult for Hutchinson and he is very proud of every song recorded on it. He spends his days writing and his evenings out with friends, always looking for new inspiration. At the end of the day, that is the passion we hope for with all musicians.
“I like the struggle of writing on the fly, sometimes it can be frustrating, but I like that idea that it is my writing,” said Hutchinson. If you are from the Chicago area, like me, he will be playing at Lincoln Hall on April 23rd or you can find a list of tour dates on his website.
Website: http://www.erichutchinson.com
