Eric Alán is in "L.O.V.&E!"
Eric Alán is taking the dance scene over by storm with his 2011 hit "Pornstar" which he signed with Blu2 Records the same year. Since then Eric has been busy with releasing a music video for the single and busy in the recording studio choosing the perfect follow-up which is being released now entitled: "L.O.V.&E!" The new single has great rhythm and is produced by Fletcher with remixes by Klubjumpers and Jeff P. Eric for his previous first single teamed up with the ever popular DJ/Producer Chris Colby where his music is being played globally for clubs and radio stations. More music and an additionally hot follow-up music video is in store for Eric's fans so now sit down and relax to the exlcusive interview with Eric Alán!
Q. Eric currently you have a hot video and single out entitled: “Pornstar” tell us about the experience filming and recording this single.
The single was actually recorded some time ago and never released; until I signed my record deal. The recording process for 'Pornstar' was like any other. Take after take, tweaks here, tweaks there and such. Filming a video is a whole other level. I was and still get excited over the aspects of putting a video (or show) together. You are giving your audience visusal stimulation to go with the audio version. The two play off of each other. We went thru auditions for dancers, working on choreography. rehearsals, wardrobe, makeup , securing venues to film in, extras, the filming crew, and much more. Once most of that was nailed down we were able to schedule a shoot date. The 'Pornstar' video was a two day shoot. The first day we shot all the club scenes. (Stacey Vey of Stir in Philadelphia was kind enough to let us use her bar for the shoot.) The second day we filmed all the studio set ups as well as the rooftop dance sequence. I gotta tell you it was a grueling two days but WELL worth the effort! I am sincerely grateful to the crew, dancers and extras that made it all possible. I can't wait to get things going for L.O.V. & E.'s video!!
Q. I am very excited to hear that your long awaited brand new second single: “L.O.V. & E.” which is out now. It is a very good track by the way; fill us in choosing this song for your next single.
Thank you! There were actually a few choices for the new single, L.O.V. & E. was one of them. Fletcher, of Blu 2 Records, produced the track and had his eye on it as the next single from the start. I however wasn't as convinced, at first. Fletcher and I contined working on other tracks. We were both looking for that "it" sound that would help set the tone and be a flagship for the rest of the album. We both kept coming back to L.O. V. & E and as things do, L.O.V. & E. evolved more and more and became what it is today; it was an obvious choice.
Q. Your current single has some hot remixes by klubjumpers and Jeff P, how was it collaborating with some heavy producers/djs?
First, I was extremely happy to have Jeff P and Klubjumpers on board for the remixes of L.O.V. & E. I've worked with Jeff P before on other projects and have been a fan of Klubjumpers for a long time so both were a natural fit. Working with other producers/DJs on remixes is like comminsioning a piece of artwork. You wouldn't expect impressionism out of Picasso nor cubism out of Monet. Having a remix done is very much the same concept. I already knew Jeff P's and Klubjumper's work and style and I asked them to put thier unique spin on on my music; you have to let go a bit and let them do their thing. I knew I wouldn't be dissapointed.
Q. Will we be seeing another music video in the works for your 2nd track?
YES! The next video is for L.O.V. & E. Like the song itself, the video will have a more minimal quality to it. Very simple, very stark but still sexy and fun amd more 'in your face'! <wink>
Q. Your fans love your current track: “Pornstar” along with the video how do you come-up with the hot beats, the sound, and concept for the music video/song?
Wheather people want to accept/admit it or not, porn has had a resurgence into maintream pop culture so I figured, lets have some fun with that! Who doesn't want to think of themselves as a mega stud or hot chic in bed? The basic idea is actually just someone wanting to be someone elses fantasy or "pornstar". The original track has a euro-dance quality to it and was produced by Spaniard, Jordi Guillem. I took him my idea for the song and some lyrics and we built everything around that. As far as the video, I wasn't looking to do anything over the top or overtly sexual. The song isn't like that and I didn't want the video to be either. There will be a remixed video of Pornstar coming out soon featuring the Gomi Remix of the song.
Q. You are writing currently more music for your up-coming released EP, tell us about some of these new tracks and what we can look forward to in the sounds and feel.
L.O.V & E. was carefully chosen as the next single becuase it sets the mood for the rest of the album. It's very minimal, not over-produced but still maintains a hard driving and danceable vibe. You can expect the rest of the album to be along those same lines. Very electronic, raw and edgy. I am excited to say that there will also be a ballad on the album. Not your traditional love song ballad though; this one is a little more dark and haunting and deals with growing up gay in a strict, religious household. Most of the songs though are danceable, a little naughty and of course simply fun! I'm shooting for a release date of Spring/Summer of 2013.
Q. Take us through the process when you write a song. Do you usually write from recent experiences or draw from personal stories or other areas?
Inspiration and song ideas come from a variety of places and in a variety of forms. Sometimes a song starts with a simple melody line or lyric. Other times it's a beat or hook. Maybe it's a poem or story I've written that gets set to music. Sometimes the idea isn't even mine, but is brought to me and worked from that point. The same can be said as far as content. It's hard to be passionate and have that passion shine thru when I'm singing about something that I don't know about or haven't experienced on some level or maybe don't like or care about. Everything I've written was derrived from personal experiences and emotions or about things that I've been around and feel passionately about. Some of it is very fun, cocky and carefree and some of it can be sad and dark. It's all based on emotions. Whle this may be evident in some songs more than others it all still has to come from within for me to believe in it to then make others believe in it and enjoy it.
Q. Eric, you are a successful artist who is a singer and songwriter what have you found is the most challenging and why?
Just about every aspect of what I do is a challenge, but it's a welcome challenge. It is called the music BUSINESS for a reason and there is deffinitely a business side to it all. Most artists don't like to deal with that, we just want to make our art! It's imperative and probably my biggest challenge to always be vigilant and on top of that aspect of my career. It's not the most fun or glamourous part of what I do but nessecary.
Q. 2012 is a banner year musically for you, what else will we be looking forward to from you this year?
It really has been and I'm grateful for it. Right now, the video for L.O.V. & E is my main focus. Other than that, I will be spending a lot of time in the studio writing, producing, recording and fine tuning the rest of the ablum. I plan to dedicate time to some live club performances along the way as well.
Q. Eric, you are an artist on the rise, is there another area that you would love to venture into and why?
One of the cool things about being an artist is that it gives you liberties and freedoms to call the shots on many levels; directing, costuming, staging, acting, concepts, sounds, fashion, editing. Granted, I have A LOT of help with the execution, but it's nice to have a hand in those aspects of my career, art and music. I think that satisfies me for the moment. I was cast as Bernardo in West Side Story at a theater in Galveston, Texas a few years back. Sadly, hurricane Ike came through and destroyed not only the theater, but devasted Galveston as well. West Side Story is someting close to my heart for many reasons, so if the oppurtunity to do that again came up, I would deffinitely jump at the chance.
Q. What made you get into the music industry?
Music equals power and emotions. From a very early age, I saw and felt the power music held over me and others. The power to convey emotions, feel happy, feel excited, feel sad, feel alive! I'm more interested in making people feel, period. I have such amazing memories and life experiences all tied to music. I would love to know that others could do the same with my music. In the words of Don McLean "A long long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance and maybe they'd be happy for a while."
Q. Is there an artist on your “must list” that you would love to collaborate with?
There are so many that I would jump at the chance to work with and most of them for different reasons. I honestly cant' single just one out. There's so much I could learn from any music veteran in the business today; I would be honored to work with any one of them!
Q. What was your first gig?
I performed live for the first time at a Houston Pride festival and sang my first two songs, 'Carcel de Oro' and 'Nadie'. There is a large hispanic population in Houston, so I knew performing spanish songs wouldn't be an issue, besides music trancends all. It was June and very hot! There was an outdoor stage and dj set up. I wore all white with a large gold rosary and gold aviators. The shirt I wore had a glitery, gold sacred heart design on the back. My dancers wore all white as well. My friends all showed up to the event, wore t-shirts with my image on them, shot hundreds of pictures and cheered me on. I remember seeing everyone crowded around the stage to get the best view then looking across the street where people had ceased to walk casually by and were stopped in thier tracks engaged and actually watching and enjoying the show, bouncing to the music. I was on top of the world. It's the one and only show my estranged parents showed up to.
Q. What was your first milestone as a musical artist?
I would have to say getting signed with a label. It was like a validation that I was good enough and someone else outside my cirlce of family and friends saw that I had potential and believed in me. Funny thing is that I sat on the contract for over a month before I signed the official paper work and turned it in!
Q. What is it like getting into the music industry?
A few years ago, I was spotted dancing on a speaker in a nightclub by the manager of another dance music artist. She asked me if I was interested in being a back up dancer. Needless to say I was thrilled and took her up on it. I went to an audition the next day, met the artist and began performing with her at various club and festival gigs. It was in doing all of this that I got a little closer to the recording industry, meeting DJs, promoters and producers and other artists as well. It didn't take long for me to realize that this was something I could really do. While still back up dancing, I collaborated with some of the producers I had met along that journey thus producing my very first song 'Carcel De Oro' (Prison of Gold) and subsequently 'Nadie' (No One), both in Spanish. Those two songs alone gave me the jumpstart I needed to set out on my own and start performing and getting my own music out there. Soon after, came my first english track. With all that said I guess you can say that it was meant to happen becuase it came relatively easy to me. It was always a dream that I thought I could never acheive but before I knew it, it was all unfolding in front of me. Oppurtunities like this don't come along but once in a lifetime so I held on tight, forged ahead and never looked back. From where I am now looking forward, it seems a little more tough to STAY in the music industry and be a real player than it is to get in it. Kinda like jumping into the ocean. Anyone can jump in the ocean but can you swim and stay afloat?
Q. As an openly gay artist, did you find it to be more difficult to get your foot into the door musically?
Not really. In fact, quite the opposite. The gay community is very welcoming in many aspects. Being gay has never been an issue musically and I would even venture to say it's opened more doors for me as an artist. I've very greatful to be a part of the gay community and accepted as one of it's own
Q. What would you tell other young aspiring openly out musicians that are looking to get into the business?
It sounds cliche but, it's so true. DON'T GIVE UP and plan on working harder than you've ever worked before! There are many obstacles you have to hurdle and will always have to deal with personally, emotionally and in music. If you stop trying to overcome those obstacles and give up on yourself, then you've lost the game and no one will believe in you. Use those obstacles as fuel for your passion, whatever it may be. Also, educate yourself on every aspect of your craft as much as possible. Practice, practice, practice! Most importantly, be PROFESSIONAL. Speak clearly and with conviction, be on time for meetings, respect others and follow through with what you say you will do; be kind. Act with dignity and pride while still mantaining a balance of humility and integrity. Let your personality shine but save the 'show' for the stage. These things don't go unnoticed.
Q. Is there a cover from any artist that you have not done yet that you would love to record and why?
Covers are tricky; mostly because there's already such a high standard set for a particular song. They can either be really amazing, totally fall short of what the original was or simply just be dismissed as a rip off. I must admit however that I did do a demo version of one song that you wouldn't think of right away but has an 'oh yeah' moment when you hear it. It fits my style and vocal range very well. I don't want to say too much more about it becuase I'm still toying with the idea of including it on the album.
Q. When people listen to music from Eric Alan, what do you want them to remember about your music?
I want them to remember how much fun they had listening and singing along to my music while dancing thier asses off!! More importantly, I want them to feel and hear my passion; to feel as excited about the music as I am and be able to relate to it in their own way. Music has power; it heals, it has defined generations and transcends all bounderies. I am honored when my work is acknowledged and remembered in any capacity, but much more so, in the long run, I want people to remember my music as being real and a true source of joy and expression for those who listen to it.
Q. How would you want someone to describe an Eric Alan concert?
I've been told many, many times that I am an 'entertainer'. It's not enough for me for people to just come, watch me sing a few songs and go home. I want people to be awed at everything that's going on when an Eric Alán show is in full swing and include my audience in the action as much as possible. I'm very detailed and meticulous. That includes everything from concept to choreography, vocals, costumes, effects etc. Live perormances are a thrilling experience when months of anticipation are at a head and you have to give EVERYTHING you've got, there are no do-overs. It's imperative that everyone is prepared, rehearsed and ready to lay it all out for an audience. My goal has always been to have the audience walk away saying "wow, what a show" describing it as energetic, passionate, FUN, sexy, creative and engaging; leaving on a high note and wanting more.
Q. Who are some of your role models inside and out of the music industry and why?
Anyone who knows me personally will most likely know the answers to this question. Outside of the music industry, my aunt, 'Tia Lilia', had an inexplicably huge impact on me, my appreciation for life, my appreciation for people and cultures and my appreciation for music. She in fact is the one that encouraged my parents to get me into piano lessons at an early age. 10 years of piano lessons and recitals with punch and cookies later, I could still only play by ear, but I learned cord progressions, the components of music, how to write it, and other basic aspects that have proved invaluable to me today. She also nurtured my appreciation for music from other cultures around the world and actually exposed me to them first hand; we traveled together often. One of her favorite styles of music (as is mine) was Salsa and other latin music like Merengue and Cha Cha Cha. There is deffinitley a latin flare in my music today and I attribute that to her. She was a strong woman of great class, compassion and had a true love for the arts, especially music; a true role model for anyone. I miss her very much.
As far as inside the industry, there are too many to count. But ahead of the pack in my book is most deffinitely, Madonna. Just looking back at the span of her career she literally paved the way for so many other artists male and female alike. If it wasn't for her we wouldn't have some of the major acts we have today. Her business sense coupled with her talent and sheer determination to succeed as an artist despite dismissals, harsh critics, protests and many other obstacles set her apart. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." Madonna created herself and I want to do the same despite what odds are against me. I refuse to let someone else tell me who I am, what I can or can't do and or how I will or won't do it. That is up to me and as long as I am alive I will continue to 'do me'.
Other industry role models for me would include Dave Gahan/Depeche Mode, George Michael, and Latin Freestyle artists of the 80s/90s.
Q. What are some of the lessons that you have learned thus far in the music business?
Talk to EVERYONE and don't be affraid to ask for something. Oppurtunities are there for the taking, you just have to find them and take them! It is a tough and competitive business so I had to learn to have a thick skin from early on. Don't let rejection shut you down. Every door that closes brings you closer to the the door that will open up for you and take you further than you thought possible.
Q. Is there a dream venue for you to perform at, why?
Not so much a venue but a place. I grew up in L.A. Granada Hills, in the San Fernando valley to be exact. I have a lot of family there 99% of whom have never seen me perform. Also, I, like many others, was totally bullied and called names for most of my life in school. I did have friends but for the most part I was a total outcast and picked on a lot, mostly for being gay. Even though I myself at the time wasn't even quite sure what 'gay' was, but whatever.
Being able to perform in L.A. would be like a triumphant homecoming. What's left of my family would be able to see me perform and while no one I went to school with would even know I was performiing there, it would be a personal victory for me to go back where I was tormented, as a success, proving that I made something out of my life and others like me and cheer me on for my work as an artist and for who I am.
