Eric Simon is a 27-year-old musician born in Atlanta, Georgia but raised in the Vancouver/Portland area. He studied at Cornish College of the Arts in downtown Seattle for acting. While in school he also wrote songs and produced beats using Logic 10. Throughout college, Eric would produce for other students and would also often collaborate with musicians from the music department. After graduating in 2016 and having been out in the world, he recently dropped his debut studio album NOW, a 7-track project.
NOW Goes Way Beyond Eric Simon’s Neo-Soul/Electronic Sound
In 2018, he moved back to the Vancouver/Portland area and collaborated with his brother on music in his home studio for two years. Last summer, he released a project that was more of a minimalistic, neo-soul/electronic album. But, Simon tries out new things on his latest album NOW, following a more pop-R&B vibe.
A Story Of NOW
Eric Simon recorded the lead single, “Secret,” with his friend Leyshock. The whole track was crafted at Leyshock’s home studio in Lynnwood. After getting connected with Portland producer/engineer Ryan Smart, Eric finished recording the rest of the album at Smart’s studio, Hinterland Sound. He recorded there from December 2020 to February 2021 with Smart co-producing and also mixing & mastering the album.
NOW by Eric Simon
Tinashe, Kaytranada, Janet Jackson, and Kanye West are some of Simon’s influences for NOW. It is a departure from the trip-hop and electronica vibes of his earlier work. NOW goes more into accessible pop/R&B, but still with elements of trap and disco to keep that experimental edge. Flipping samples he got off of Looperman, Eric Simon created the title track “Now.” It’s a slow-paced euphonic track that sets you up beautifully for the rest of the album. The last track, “No Way,” was inspired by the sample of a Trinidadian girl as she explains the culture and Trini accent.
“When I Lost You” started with Eric recording himself hitting wine glasses with utensils, and also beatboxing. Then Ryan Smart took those demos and brought them to a fuller, more complex sound, and a banger was made.
The lyrics on the album were inspired by the pandemic and turmoil in the U.S. Thematically, NOW touches on escapism, romance, and the ambiguities of the relationship between a couple. Check out the album and tell us what you think below!
