LEAVING EDEN – interview
- Posted on 06-12-2023
Introduce your band, and tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?
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 with the same members)
- Eve Lead vocals
- Alyssa Bailey White Keys/Vocals
- Jake Gynan Drums
- Rich Chouinard Bass/Vocals
- Eric Gynan Guitar/Vocals.
We are excited to say that we just signed a new deal with New England based USA record label Verdict Music/Sony/The Orchard. We have just released a new EP titled “Reflections.”
The theme is about looking back, reflecting on the things that have made you who you are today. The first single off the EP is titled “Dancing By The Fire“
What’s the hardest part about being a band in this day and age?
Well, of course, it’s fun to be in a band, on stage and rehearsing with your pals. But there’s a lot more to it than fun and parties.
I think it is the management of the band and the promotion, keeping up with all of the extra social media platforms, and the ever-changing way that people consume their entertainment. Keeping your finger on the pulse of change is very important. If you don’t change with the times, you will be left behind. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that you have to do like ISRC codes for the songs and BMI or ASCAP for publishing, copywriting material. Then there’s the artwork, photos, video editing, there’s just so much stuff that has to be done. I feel one of the reasons why Leaving Eden is so successful is because we’ve always been here. We never went away. We never stopped. We always continue to forge ahead and be at the tip of the spear so to speak.
When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?
I think, being at the right time in the right place is paramount for us. I always say we will play anywhere, anyhow, anyway, so long as we can and that has really put us in a lot of places that ended up being extremely beneficial for Leaving Eden. I can tell you one thing that if you don’t get out there and do the things that are necessary, then you can’t benefit from those things. A good example is, I remember we got offered to play a benefit 4 ½ – five hours away and it was free but we did it. We traveled and when we arrived I was amazed at these huge stages with great sound systems and lights and I was like, wow this is going to be great. Then the promoter said to me you ain’t playing there you’re playing over there pointing to this little coat rack of a stage. I said OK cool and we played and there was not a lot of people there but when we got off the stage the promoter came up and said, you guys are great, do you guys want to play tomorrow? I said sure what do you got going on man and he replied Woodstock man do you know much money I spent on advertising for this? He sounded a little aggravated and I said I’m sorry man. I’m not from around here, but yeah yeah we’ll play. The next day we got to share the stage with Ten Years After, big Brother and the holding company, Jefferson Starship, country, Joe and the Fish, etc. It was just incredible because that’s where it all started and here we are full circle having this opportunity to meet and dine with the kings. It was awesome but my point is that if I said no I’m all set, I’m not gonna waste my time and money, I’m not gonna travel that far for free, it would’ve never happened.
How does a song typically come together for you?
All year we are writing and then we record everything in Leaving Eden’s studio. I do all the recording and the first mix. Then we send it off to be co-mixed/mastered. It’s a process which takes months to complete. We are focusing more on EP’s and singles so the process will be shorter and more direct.
Everything is generally based on reality. What’s happening to us, or in the world, how we are feeling in the moment and connecting to the source. Listening to what the Universe has to say. Most of the time you can hear the entire song already mixed and playing in your mind’s eye. All I have to do is get it from there to the recording. It’s a blast.
How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?
What I always say, Leaving Eden’s music is an eclectic array of multi genre songs from heavy rock/metal to acoustic and everything in between that really 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. I always say Leaving Eden is best seen live in concert. Sure you can watch online and catch the vibe but it’s really that sharing of the energy with the crowd together in a moment in time. Eve is is definitely Universal. I’ve watched her share the stage with some of the biggest bands in the world and it’s pretty amazing live.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band?
I think the energy that’s shared with everybody in the room. We work hard, are well rehearsed so for people to see how tight the band is. We also like to be very clear with our lyrics so that people can understand what we’re trying to say. After all, it’s what you say that’s probably what’s most important.
Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why?
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 DeathPunch, 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. Leaving Eden has toured 47 of the states and USA, Canada and over the pond in Europe. It would be nice to go to South America because people there really appreciate rock ‘n’ roll, metal, etc. Not only that, I think in South America, there are some of the best metal musicians on the planet.
How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years?
As I said, one must change with the times. Music changes, people change. But still staying true to your own musical values. So I’m not just going to write what I think people are going to like, but I write from what comes from the inside. On every album for instance, there’s always one or 2 much older songs that were written a long time ago that were never released, and I must say they stood the test of time. You’d never know they were written so long ago.
How excited are you for 2024, and what can fans expect from you?
We are constantly working on new releases. It appears that releasing albums is becoming a thing of the past. Peoples attention spans are getting shorter. This is a natural thing when you’re inundated with so much information. So for us, we release the EP’s and singles. It’s actually kind of cool because you can focus on one thing at a time and really put a lot of effort into that to make it as great as you can so I think it’s a cool thing. We are always touring and looking into serious publishing for movies/series and things like that.
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