. Introduction and Background
Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey and background?
Hi, my name is Eric Devries and I’m a singersongwriter from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I was fourteen when I started when punk was big in the Netherlands. It was a great opportunity to get up on stage without having any experience. I was always the one writing the songs and singing them too. The more I learned the more I progressed into Americana or at least into telling stories through songs.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
My biggest influence were The Beatles although they’d split up years before I started. I learned my english through listening to the Beatles and I learned to sing harmony even before I started playing. The Jam was a second influence, I even opened up for them when I was a youngster.
But again through the Beatles I started listening to Dylan and anyway the 70-ties were great music wise. Nothing did sound the same.
Can you share a specific artist or album that has had a significant impact on your music?
Steve Earle’s El Corazón album. It kinda felt like he was doing something in where I was growing into as time progressed.
What’s your creative process like when you’re composing or writing a new song?
I tend to sit with my guitar and just while away the hours. Sometimes another song inspires me, other times it’s a phrase that pops up in my head. And then I try to find the melody or the hook of the song and start writing from there. Every once in a while something comes up while I’m walking and then I’ve got to rush home or at least write it down fast. A song can write itself in ten minutes. Others take years to finish. And also many ideas remain scribbled on paper resting in a drawer for years.
Among all the songs you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it special to you?
Ah, that’s a difficult one. Maybe ‘Sunday Eve in Amsterdam’ as it’s about my early memories.
Can you share the story or inspiration behind that particular song?
Well, I saw a photograph of the house where I was born and it’s still the same. But everyone I knew has moved from there, myself included. I was born right on a canal (no, not one of the touristic posh ones) and I remember watching the seagulls fly and the bridge would open a few times a day to let the boats pass and they had to pay a fee to the lockkeeper. That’s from way back in the previous century.
Let’s talk about your latest song. What’s the title, and what’s the story or message behind it?
That’s called ‘Hit the Road Running’ and it’s about when I toured in the state of Oklahoma. Me and a friend of mine, a great guitarplayer from Tulsa had a slot to play at Cain’s Ballroom. That is where all the great country stars came to play back in the day. We nearly missed it as we were running late. We were rushed from the car through backstage and then right onto stage. Someone handed me a guitar and we were off. I tried to portray that feeling of being rushed into the music and the rest of the lyrics are full of references to my time there and to some friends I made.
Share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances.
Oh, that one in Tulsa was memorable. Playing the Paradiso in Amsterdam was pretty good to, several times even. Also when I was touring alongside Iain Matthews with Matthews Southern Comfort and hearing U.K. audiences singing along to the song ‘Woodstock’ was memorable too. I heard that song when I was seven or eight. Never would have thought I’d play that alongside the original singer.
Beyond music, do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about? How do they influence your music?
I’m afraid you got me there.. no hobbies. Maybe reading? And I tend to read in english only. Salinger is a favorite. On the new album (release september ’24) is a song about a story by Truman Capote so yes, I’d say literature does influence me. A lot.
Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
Gee, I’d never thought about that. I did some co-writes with Iain Matthews for the albums ‘Like a Radio’ and ‘The New Mine’. That was fun to do. I guess I’d aim for people that have been around to see how they work.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the music industry?
The one advice I’d give ’em would be not to listen too much to advice from others. I’d say just go out there and see where it leads you. Learn your trade by playing for people and with people. I am still learning new things on the guitar. I am trying to reinvent myself from a finger-picker to a flat-picker. The guys in the band are truly great players so there’s no pressure there, right?
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music you have in the works? What can your fans and listeners look forward to from you in the near future?
Ah! There’s a new album coming up. The first single ‘Shadow of a Man’ will ‘drop’ any day now. We have played so many gigs after the 2021 release of ‘Song & Dance Man’ and the reactions from press and audiences alike were great. That inspired me to record a whole new album with the same musicians. And where it’s predecessor was more ‘folky’ and intimate, this new one is
joyous and livelier, leaning towards Bluegrass. Recording it was a joy and we got some distinguished guest appearances from Iain Matthews and Fay Lovsky.
The tour starts in september ’24