Hi, and it’s my pleasure to chat with you here. I am Eric Gynan, co-founder of the band Leaving Eden. We are from The Boston Massachusetts area USA.
Leaving Eden & Silver Springs Fleetwood Mac Tribute is: (2 different bands)
Eve Lead vocals
Alyssa Bailey White Keys/Vocals
Jake Gynan Drums
Rich Chouinard Bass/Vocals
Eric Gynan Guitar/Vocals.
We’ve been around the block for a while having a great time touring and making albums.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST ALBUM OR SINGLE
We are excited to say that we just signed a new deal with New England-based record label Verdict Music/Sony/The Orchard. We have just released a new EP titled “Reflections.” Reflections EP
The theme is about looking back, and reflecting on the things that have made you who you are today. The first single off the EP is titled “Dancing By The Fire“ Dancing By The Fire Video By Leaving Eden
WHICH SONG WOULD YOU SAY SUMS UP YOUR SOUND THE BEST?
Well, in talking with our current AP, I believe our song Fear (Is Not An Option) brings out the best in us musically. The way the song just naturally flows, and goes together is unique in its own way. It’s a little heavy, but it really gets to the point right away.
DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC IN A FEW WORDS.
Leaving Eden’s music is, what I always say, an eclectic array of multi-genre songs that focuses on reality, based upon life’s struggles, and victories, the simple, and yet most difficult themes that many people may be able to relate to. What you see is what you get.
WHO HAVE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES BEEN?
Good question. Leaving Eden has Toured The USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; Lacuna Coil, In This Moment, Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Ronnie James Dio, Rob Zombie, 5 Finger Death Punch,
Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZTop, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, Killswitch Engage, Buckcherry (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Country Joe, 10 Years After, 40th Anniversary Woodstock) Shinedown, Dropkick Murphy’s, Alice in Chains, Papa Roach, Bret Michaels, Halestorm,Theory of a Deadman, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Hell Yeah, Trapt, Dope, Soil, Fuel, Queensryche, Saving Abel, Hinder, Damage Plan, 7Dust, Sebastian Bach, SoulFly, Days of the New, NonPoint, DrowningPool, The Misfits, The Butcher Babies, Collective Soul, MushroomHead, Mudvayne, Chevelle, Godsmack, Powerman 5000, 10Years, Taproot, Gin Blossoms, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions) Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Kittie, One eyed doll, Uncle Kracker, Tremonti (Creed/Alterbridge) Lamb of god, Slayer, Stone Sour, Motorhead, Blackstone Cherry, HOOKERS & BLOW Featuring GUNS N’ ROSES, QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P. Members, Steven Tyler, Ted Nugent, Lita Ford, LA Guns, Trixter, Warrant, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack) Adelitas Way, Scott Stapp (The voice of Creed), Pop Evil, Ratt & many more, so bands like Disturbed, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains were great influences as far as being able to share the stage and watch and learn from for sure.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC?
I’ve always played as long as I can remember. At 2 and 3, I was playing an organ we had in the living room. Music runs in my family so I guess it’s natural however I still had to do all the work. Just because something may come naturally to you doesn’t mean it will be simple. My older brother, cousins and friends I’m sure led me down the rock n roll path.
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU WHEN MAKING MUSIC?
I guess just listening universally as we are all connected to the energy. The songs and lyrics come this way by tuning in. Then everything seems to flow that way. I learned a long time ago that you could get blocked when you try and force it. It comes through that meditative state of mind. That’s why when you’re sleeping songs come through and ya gotta try and wake up and get it down. It can be tough, yet much simpler if you’ve learned how to tune in. I do believe that other artists that have come and gone can have a connection, find a conduit so to speak because I believe that they might want to continue through somebody else. You never know.
I always say “Stranger things have happened.” But ya, then the rest of the band works their magic and presto, a new song is recorded.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE THE COOLEST COLLABORATION PROJECT BETWEEN YOU AND ANOTHER ARTIST?
Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac. The funny thing is I never really liked Fleetwood Mac. I used to like the heavy shit. I typically didn’t like stuff that was in the middle. But as a recording engineer, I listen to all of the production and all of the songs so I’m not just sitting back and enjoying a good song, I’m listening to all the instruments, the mix and the tone and as I listened I became so impressed with so much music that I had missed the first time around. I learned to appreciate Lindsey Buckingham. Especially his finger-picking. I’d love to hang out and play some guitar with him and record some music.
PLEASE TELL US A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I can be pretty picky, to my own detriment in some cases.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?
An older native Indian once told me to always remember that familiarity breeds contempt for example:
You do something good for someone over and over again, (that’s the familiarity) then they expect it, (that’s the contempt). Human nature. It’s always important to never forget where you come from, good, bad or indifferent.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would say simply like Canada does to an extent, a certain, decent percentage of artists should be local artists that hit the airwaves, in every community. This way more artists could have a better chance at success.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We are already working on our next EP. We are booking into 2025 believe it or not. Looking into Music Publishing in a big way as well for movies, series etc. It’s a lot of work but “I never said it would be easy, I never expected a free ride” Song Redemption by Leaving Eden.