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09.13.03
Eric Hutchinson is causing quite a stir among emerging
music fans. So we had to catch up with this one-of-a-kind
guy. Read on to learn about the songwriter to ripped
off Fiona Apple and can't get enough of Saved by the
Bell.
 So
Eric, hook us up with some background. Where were you
born, and how did you get to where you are today? How
long have you been playing guitar?
I'm born and raised in Takoma Park, MD, a suburb of
Washington DC. I went to Emerson College in Boston and
lived there for five years until I just moved out to
LA within the last few months. I've been playing guitar
about 8 years. I should be better than I am. Should've
taken more guitar lessons I guessed, but I was always
more interested in playing and singing songs I knew
and liked than HOT CROSS BUNS out of a workbook. But
i'm paying for it now, since I dont know what the hell
I'm doing on the guitar.
I listened to your CD and I am digging the song
"Subtitles". Where did it originate from?
"Subtitles" is really just a ripoff of Fiona
Apple's song, "Paper Bag". I was listening
to her and GOD did I want a song as good as that one.
I tried writing a song that was sort of ironic and looked
at a relationship falling apart in a sort of hopeless,
but relieved way.
 What
is it like crafting music – do you write the tunes
first or base the tunes around the lyrics?
I try not to force songwriting. Some people like to
sit down and make themselves write everyday. I find
my songs come in spurts, where I'll come up with a few
melodies in a row and have a few songs come out of it.
Then weeks of desperation where I convince myself I'll
never be able to write another song again. Melodies
always come first with me. Sometimes a few lyrics will
pop up when I first find the melody, but I like to take
the time with lyrics, figure out what I'm saying and
mess around with the phrasing. Get it just right.
How is touring going? I see your doing the college
tour thing.
Touring is fun. It's always humbling to go somewhere
and meet someone I don't know and have them like my
music. It's a weird, flattering feeling.
 You've
gotten some serious exposure on the Internet, and have
hit some best selling spots at www.awarestore.com. What
is your goal with your music? Do you want to hit it
big?
My goal for my music is to be respected I guess. I
want to have songs that people love and critics do too.
I'd be happy with a "career" where I've got
a devoted, if modest fan base and could pay the bills
comfortably. Of course, I'd also love to be on the cover
of Rolling Stone, have people anticipating my newest
CD, paying attention to my lyrics. But I don't think
I'd handle fame very well. I've always wanted my MUSIC
to be well-known, but not my face.
How do you feel about the RIAA lawsuits taking place?
AHHHHH! PIRACY!!! I personally don't download much.
I consider myself a collector of CDs, and I really love
having the actual artwork, the liner notes, appreciating
the whole package. So i also like when people get to
see my CD design which had plenty of thought go into
it. At my level, any exposure is good, even if it means
that someone is getting my song "illegally."
I just personally prefer to buy CDs, and I think the
artist is owed that usually. I dont buy the "The
Beatles are rich enough already" excuse. Who am
I to decide when someone's made enough money? Although
the Beatles are pretty damn rich.
Michael Jackson, actually, is pretty rich from what
I hear (he owns a lot of their songs). But let's not
go there! So do you frequent any music message boards?
I frequent my own message board. Check it out! www.eric-hutchinson.com/board.
It's cool to be able to answer people's questions or
read what they thought of a show.
 Who
are your music influences?
I'm influenced by all kinds of music. I love music!
The Beatles, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson,
Paul Simon, those are people I've been listening to
ever since my parents use to play their records for
me. I also love Ben Folds Five, Elvis Costello, and
Frank Sinatra. I could list tons of bands and artists...I
love and plenty of stuff I never really got into. Like
the whole "grunge" thing. Pearl Jam, Nirvana.
Never really did it for me. Sorry. Also, I've never
seen Top Gun and don't plan on seeing it anytime soon.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?
Wow. So you don't get "the need for speed,"
eh? Anyways, what can we expect from you in the next
year or so?
I'll hopefully be getting to more places across the
country, opening up for some bigger acts, trying to
take my music to the people. And stuff. We'll see where
I end up...
Anything else fun you want to share with the DA
readers?
I love Saved By the Bell. I just got the Seasons 1
& 2 DVD. They aren't including the Ms Bliss years,
so that's awesome. I could watch Saved By the Bell for
about 12 hours straight. Which is good, because thats
exactly how long all 5 DVDs take. I think i'll go watch
some right now in fact. Bye for now!
Interviewed by Kristen
Fischer
DiscoveringArtists.com
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