He may be Canadian, but that hasn’t stopped country star Eric Ethridge from loving the LA vibes and crowds. Ethridge, who just released his latest single “Sad Songs” has been rising on the country music charts in both Canada and here in the USA, and hopes to continue playing sold out shows once the pandemic slows down here in Los Angeles.
We spoke exclusively with Ethridge on his newest track, being a musician during COVID-19 and why Los Angeles is a place he’d like to call home one day.
1. What does it mean to be a musician during these pandemic times?
The music industry has a sustained a catastrophic blow these last 12 months or so, and to be a musician during these times means to be someone who is resourceful, is adaptable and who has grit. It’s been really cool to see how people have adapted when things got tough, and I bet the struggle will prove to have produced some really incredible art.
2. What first drew you into the country music genre?
The story telling nature of country music is why I fell in love with it. The lyricism is just phenomenal. Country music was also the first genre of music to connect with me emotionally. It was the first time I ever heard Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, and it almost brought me to tears. It’s powerful stuff.
3. Where have been some of your favorite places to perform here in Los Angeles or in California in general?
I am a huge fan of California, and I hope to live there (or at least have a place there some day!). All of my first record was recorded in Studio City, CA just off of Ventura Blvd. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to play any venues there yet, but my goal is to play a show at the Troubadour when this pandemic is over!
4. With your new single, what do you hope fans walk away feeling after listening to it and the new music video?
My latest single is called “Sad Songs” and I recorded this song because it really resonated with me personally. 2020 was a rough year for me, and everyone I know. I really wanted to put out a song that was about looking on the bright side of life, and about pulling through tough times to make a better life for yourself. After listening to it and watching the music video, my hope is that people walk away feeling inspired to make a positive change in their life.
5. Even though you are Nashville-based and from Canada, has Los Angeles ever inspired any of your music?
Absolutely. Having recorded my debut record there, I spent a lot of time in studio city and Santa Monica. On that record actually was a song called “California” which just recently went gold in Canada. It’s a song that really speaks to why people love to go there and dream about being there.
6. When you do come to LA, where are some of your favorite spots to hangout?
Well, I spent most of my time in Studio City which I loved, but being land-locked in Nashville now, makes me really want to spend as much time as possible near the water. I’ll usually visit Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and I always make sure to spend some time in Malibu at Zuma beach.
7. What would your advice be to those wanting to pursue a career in music like yourself?
There’s a saying in Nashville that, “there’s no shortage of pretty people who are good singers.” This is very true, but probably applies to everywhere in the music industry. For any artist that is trying to “make it” or break though, I think your biggest priority should be to find something that makes you different from the rest of the crowd and double down on that. People are craving something different, not more of the same.
Click HERE to watch his latest music video for Sad Songs!
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