Determined to put Brazil firmly on the world-music map, Eric Taylor Escudero has, using his many folk and indie influences, worked hard to establish himself as an artist. Such hard work has resulted in the release of his debut album, We Were Young and It Was Morning, and earned him acclaim for several music outlets. With plans to tour and already working on his next LP, he kindly agreed to this interview to chat social media, Sigur Ros and song-writing.
PW: Please introduce yourself.
Eric Taylor Escudero: Hi, my name’s Eric. I´m a singer-songwriter from Brazil.
PW: How would you sum yourself up in three words?
ETE: Indie folk singer.
PW: How would you describe your sound and style of music?
ETE
: Probably something like honest indie-folk-rock with a bit of country, as well.
PW: When did you first realise you wanted to be an artist?
E
TE
: When I was a teenager and started listening to Oasis’ Be Here Now. I watched the video for “All Around the World” and thought, that´s what I want to do.
PW: Was there any particular concert you attended or album you bought that cemented that fact for you?
E
TE
: The Oasis concert in São Paulo, probably. There was also an Arcade Fire concert in 2007 which was really amazing.
PW: Which bands and artists influenced you growing up, and have those influences changed much as you’ve gotten older?
E
TE
: There are some artists who are constantly evolving, so you get the feeling that they are growing with you. That’s the case with Conor Oberst, Death Cab For Cutie, Idlewild — those were huge influences and influence me still. I also like Sigur Rós a lot.
PW: Is there a band or artist you might say you sound similar to?
E
TE
: Many artists have influenced me a lot, so I think my sound is a mix of my own personality and theses influences. Some songwriters that inspire me are Ryan Adams, Fionn Regan and Johnny Flynn, so maybe sometimes you can find something of them in my music.
PW: You recently released your debut album, We Were Young and It Was Morning. How would you sum it up?
E
TE
: The album is a collection of eleven songs, written in different places and different points of my life. It’s mostly about life in big cities and the passing of time. It was recorded and mixed at The Womb in Austin.
PW: Do you have a favourite track on the collection? If so, which is it and why?
E
TE
: Well, that changes a lot. Right now I really like “Fountains Of Blood”. I think the arrangement is very interesting and the lyrics are pretty good.
PW: How easy or hard do you find the song-writing process, and who or what most influences you?
E
TE
: Writing is easy and something I find quite enjoyable. The hardest part is to find the time to stop, sit down, and really concentrate. It’s easy to get lost in everyday life, being constantly in a hurry, so that’s what I’ve been finding harder to deal with.
My life is my biggest source of influence — the things I see, what I do, the sounds, the weather, people I talk to, etc. Obviously, other great songs, albums, movies, books and poems — they all influence me a lot.
PW: If you could have written any other song by any band or artist, living or dead, which would it be and why?
E
TE
: That´s a very hard question. Maybe “In My Life” or “Golden Slumbers” by the Beatles.
PW: You’ve been featured in and championed by the likes of The Vinyl District and FAME Magazine, but how much does that sort of coverage mean to you? Do you care more what your fans think, or is it half and half?
E
TE
: I’m glad to have all the coverage, it makes it easier for people to know my music. I don’t feel any pressure. It’s just a matter of keep doing what I do, being who I am and writing like I do. Some people will eventually like it, some won’t, but that’s just the way it is with any kind of art.
PW: What are your tour/performance plans?
E
TE
: For now, I’m playing concerts in Brazil. I hope to be in North America next year and maybe the UK, as well.
PW: If you could play one venue with four bands or artists who can be living or dead, where would you play, who would you choose and why?
E
TE
: I don’t have any venues in particular. I’d probably choose somewhere small. That’s where all the best concerts happen — not at huge festivals with terrible sound. One of the bands would surely be the Beatles. I’d choose the Brazilian composer Tom Jobim, as well. I’d invite Oasis — though they probably wouldn’t come — and Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur Rós … if he could bring the band, that would be best!
PW: What are your thoughts on social media, and to what extent has it helped you grow your audience? Would you agree it’s necessary for bands and artists today to be socially interactive with their fans?
E
TE
: I think it can be a good thing. It’s nice to know more about the artists you like, what they read, listen to, or think about some topics. I think it’s good if done in moderation and if it’s a natural thing for the artist. He shouldn’t feel compelled to do so; otherwise, it’s just a meaningless and shallow thing.
PW: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
E
TE
: I’m going to play a few more concerts around Brazil, record a few live videos and start the pre-production of the next album.
PW: Finally, then, what would you like your musical legacy to be? If people were to say one thing about you 100 years from now, what would you want them to say?
E
TE
: I hope they find beauty and meaning in my music and that my work can inspire people then.
Check out Eric’s latest music video below, and, for more information on him and his music, visit his website, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Twitter. His debut album We Were Young and It Was Morning can be purchased here.
