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Sweet Faced: Portland-based Blitzen Trapper, fronted by Eric Earley (seated far right), is set to rock High Sierra Music Festival July 1 to 4. |
CommentsMusic and Lyrics from the Mind of Blitzen Trapper's Eric Earley
By Monica CaldariPublished: June 20, 2010
“And my lover comes to me, bids me follow endlessly, as she laughs and starts to climb through the branches and the vines, through the tangle of our minds, for this tree you see it grows, never ending.”
~ “The Tree,” performed by Blitzen Trapper, lyrics by Eric Earley
Blitzen Trapper is a Portland-based ensemble whose unique lyrics are hard to define; but their slightly nostalgic sound will surely create a new following of music aficionados. They will be performing at this summer’s High Sierra Music Festival among many other concerts and events. I was privy to a brief but entertaining interview with Eric Earley, the band’s lead singer and songwriter.
Moonshine Ink: A YouTube viewer described your band as "revival of the great ‘album rock’ bands of the ‘70s.”
Eric Earley: I don’t know if it’s true, but I’d like to agree with that.
[His latest musical influences and interests include MGMT, Elton John, AC/DC, and music from the late ‘70s.]
MI: How would you describe yourself?
EE: I shy away from describing myself [as] classic rock, folk, hard rock, all kinds of stuff. It’s American rock music.
His songwriting seems to be the heart and soul of the band. Michael Katzif of NPR Music describes him as “an evocative storyteller. Earley can both sing sentimentally of lost love and craft grim tales of death and remorse.” Another YouTube viewer, going by the name of “OnoOvoOno,” eagerly stated, “The guy who is writing this stuff, Eric Earley, is destined to be in the songwriter hall of fame one day.”
MI: What song sums you up?
EE: Does it have to be my own song? That’s tough; every song describes a small piece. That’s a good question. I wouldn’t say they define me. “The Tree,” I like it.
I listened: I liked it, too. I found myself playing it over and over, smiling and humming. “The Tree” is a beautiful, folksy acoustic ballad, with lyrics right out of the “Love One Another and Love Mother Earth” summer of ’69, and can be heard on their newly released album “Destroyer of the Void.”
MI: What inspires your lyrics?
EE: Childhood, touring, relationships.
MI: Are you playing any other big festivals this summer?
EE: Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, European festivals, Sasquatch.
MI: What venues do you prefer to play?
EE: Clubs, intimate settings. There aren’t as many variables. Festivals are fun, too; you never know what’s gonna happen.
MI: Does your summer tour have a name?
EE: It’s called the “make enough money so I can buy myself a boat” tour.
My first visual and auditory experience with BT was the video for their song “Furr” from their album of the same name. With its homegrown and unique feel, I was intrigued: sepia tones, collage-like images, and the sweet yet raspy acoustic voice of Earley. It seemed that YouTube viewer “pounce 464” felt the same stating, “I love this song! It makes you feel as though you are part of nature ... most of us often forget. We lose our connection with nature, but it's songs like these that remind us that we all have an inner wolf.” Earley confirmed that the ideas for their distinctive videos are their own, and are created and produced by friends in Portland.
I find myself appreciating them more due to the range of music played, the emotion found in the lyrics, and the energy and spirit with which they create their sound.
If you are intrigued and heading to High Sierra Music Festival, you’ll find them on the Big Meadow Stage on Thursday, July 1 (7:15 to 8:45 p.m.) and Friday, July 2 (5:15 to 6:30 p.m.). Hear and learn more at blitzentrapper.net.
~ Comment on this article online at moonshineink.com.
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