Washington D.C. is lucky to have Eric Selby, the lauded Blues Hall of Fame Inductee. His up-and-coming release Do, Baby. will be available on all streaming platforms April 17, 2020 and this is one you do not want to miss! Traces of his influences, The Bealtes and Pink Floyd, can be felt throughout the entire album. See what Eric has to say about his life as a musician.
Who is your biggest musical inspiration? Why?
Without question, the Beatles have been my biggest musical inspiration. They presented to me, early on, so much variation and evolution of what a song and, in turn, music could be. They were my first understanding of the blues (blue-eyed, British style), harmony, rock ‘n’ roll, ballads, psychedelic, distortion, art for art sake. They just delivered so much to comprehend and learn from in the short time they were together. Their music led me to so many different avenues. For instance, educating myself on early blues music, evolving into listening to bands like Derek & the Dominoes, Zepplin, Brian Wilson, XTC, Dawes, Toad the Wet Sprocket. R.E.M., the list goes on and on.
What is your favorite part of being a musician?
My favorite part of being musician could be described in two ways. First and foremost, the creation of art, which I love, and I think that speaks to itself. Secondly, collaboration. Certainly one can create a solo album, handling all the instrumentation, vocals, production, etc. oneself, but for me it has been exciting when artists collaborate in creating a sonic soundscape together which includes the musicians, the producers, the engineers, where everyone is involved. Everyone is bouncing ideas off one another. Certainly the individual whose name is on the record has veto power most of the time, but a good leader doesn’t necessarily dictate. I think a good leader jumps in the fox hole with his team and they all work together.
When it comes to inspiration, do you wait for it to strike or do you treat your creative process like standard 9-5 meaning you show up regardless if inspiration is present?
For me, the answer is both. I’d certainly like to have more creative time and treat it as a job; however, I am a single father of four daughters and that precious set aside time is often fleeting. So when inspiration strikes, I used my trusty voice memo and jot things down so when I have (or take) that special set aside time, I piece it all together into a creative package that delivers the story and sound landscape that I want to deliver.
What has been your most memorable experience (live performance, collaboration, etc) as a musician thus far? What made it the most memorable for you?
I have been blessed to work with so many talented artists. I think for me two experiences come to mind. First, is performing with blues icon Billy Thompson, supporting 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Doobie Brothers in San Diego. I so appreciated Billy having me perform with him and having the opportunity to look out into the crowd and see so many people enjoying the music. To open for a band that I have listened to and admired for so many years was surreal and centering. It was an opportunity for me to understand and to be reminded of why we do all this and the answer is the music. Just the music. Second, is that moment when I’m listening back to records for the first time where I am playing along with such incredible musicians as Billy Thompson (Little Milton, Albert King, Art Neville), Ron Holloway (Warren Haynes, Dizzy Gillespie,
The Allman Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Tedeschi/Trucks), Daryl Johnson (The Neville Brothers, Daniel Lanois, Emmylou Harris, U2, Bob Dylan), James East (Elton John, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton), Bill Payne (Little Feat, J.J. Cale, The Doobie Brothers), Lenny Castro (Adele, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder) and Mike Finnigan (Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker), to name a few. I am still such a music fan and it's just mind blowing for me to know I am playing along with these amazing talents. I am appreciative of the opportunity and do not take it for granted.
What is your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical performance memory was playing a single snare drum in a church talent show at 9-years-old. I signed up to perform in the talent show and was so young and naive, I didn’t realize that I need a band to play with me. So once this realization hit, I decided to perform with the best band I knew: The Beatles. I stood in front of all those people and put on the song, 'All Together Now,' and stood up there and played my red sparkle snare drum to that song. I looked out into the crowd, at my very young age, and saw my Dad in the back row laughing his butt off with tears running down his red face. I was so mad at him after that performance but realized later in life how funny that really must have been. At the time, I was so naive, scared and so proud that I performed in front of those people. My late Father was quite supportive of my musical passion and was there for some of my most important shows.
What do you want people to know about your latest release?
I want people to know that in my upcoming release, 'Do, Baby.,' that it is me speaking my emotions. I had the blessing of having many of my favorite musicians on the record supporting me. What the collaborative effort presented was a perfect representation of how I felt and how I feel about the songs. I tried to accomplish two things on this record: First, for each song to have a completely different mood. One would be pensive, another happy, another inquisitive, another sad. Second, I wanted each song to be reflective of the music that brought me to where I am: singer/songwriter, blues, psychedelic, rock & roll, ballad, etc.
What are your plans for the future? In today’s quarantined environment, the future is unknown and exciting. I want to continue to create music and have a good portion of my next release already written. I also am looking forward to continuing the many projects I am associated with, including working with Billy Thompson, Little Bit A Blues, Fractal Cat, Don Chapman, Deane Kern, to name a few and, of course, my own ongoing studio projects. Ultimately, I hope that folks listen to and enjoy the music I create and that it provides inspiration for them and their creative lives whatever that might be. Connect with Eric: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter
