Eric Lindell
Encyclopedia
Eric Lindell is an American
singer-songwriter
, born in San Mateo
, California
, who came to national prominence after relocating to New Orleans
. His recording career began in 1996 as a local/regional New Orleans-based artist. Beginning in 2006, when he was picked up by Alligator Records
, he has toured nationally and internationally. He recorded three albums for Alligator and has since issued several CDs on smaller indie labels.
Eric’s music has been described by USA Today as “pumping soul into funk, blue and roots-rock.” (April 23, 2009). The Chicago Sun-Times called Lindell “a tremendous raw talent…with a fully realized musical vision.” (January 20, 2008). The Los Angeles Daily News says “Lindell serves up bluesy blue-eyed soul smothered with a big heap of New Orleans funk…The shuffling interplay of electric guitars, percolating organ and Creole horns never fails to make you feel like dancing all the way down Canal Street.” (January 27, 2008)
. He began playing in bands at the age of 15. Among his early musical influences were Fishbone
and Black Flag
.
Lindell started playing in Northern California bar
s, first with the guitar
, and later moving to bass
, while working as a baker
during the day to make ends meet. After a few years he had decided to move to New York City
briefly, then moved in 1999 to New Orleans, where his creativity was able to flourish further. In New Orleans he often played with well-known drummers Johnny Vidacovich
and Harold Ray Brown (formerly of War) as well as members of Galactic, including Galactic's
Stanton Moore
and Ivan Neville
(with whom he now occasionally plays in a side project called Dragon Smoke.) By 2005, he was well-known on the New Orleans music scene, having appeared in local clubs and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and had gained enough attention to have Alligator Records
sign him.
Alligator’s initial release by Lindell was Change In The Weather, a compilation of tracks from his various self-produced albums and E.P.s, some released on his own Sparco Records label. Notably the self titled album and Piety Street Sessions with Marty Joyce on drums,Cass Faulconer on bass and Marc Adams on B3 as well as others. "Change In The Weather' yielded the radio single “Give It Time” which received major play on Adult Album Alternative-formatted stations around the country and was featured in an episode of the Boston Legal
TV show. His second Alligator release was produced for the label by Lindell. The radio single, “Lay Back Down,” was again well received by AAA, and also appeared in the TV shows True Blood
and Friday Night Lights
. Gulf Coast Highway, his third Alligator release (also self-produced), found him accompanied by members of Galactic as well as members of Eric’s touring band. “If Love Can’t Find A Way” was the featured radio track.
Eric typically performs about 100 live performances a year. He has made recent trips to perform in Europe and made his first Australian appearance in 2007. He made his network television debut on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
in February 2008.
Lindell's "Change in the Weather" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards
for Jam Album of the year.
Lindell's musical style borrows from 1970s blues-rock
, soul
, and R&B. His style has also been called "blue-eyed soul
", a common short-hand used for Anglo blues singers that has been applied to artists including Daryl Hall
(of Hall & Oates
fame) and Van Morrison
, among others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, born in San Mateo
San Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, who came to national prominence after relocating to New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. His recording career began in 1996 as a local/regional New Orleans-based artist. Beginning in 2006, when he was picked up by Alligator Records
Alligator Records
Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
, he has toured nationally and internationally. He recorded three albums for Alligator and has since issued several CDs on smaller indie labels.
Eric’s music has been described by USA Today as “pumping soul into funk, blue and roots-rock.” (April 23, 2009). The Chicago Sun-Times called Lindell “a tremendous raw talent…with a fully realized musical vision.” (January 20, 2008). The Los Angeles Daily News says “Lindell serves up bluesy blue-eyed soul smothered with a big heap of New Orleans funk…The shuffling interplay of electric guitars, percolating organ and Creole horns never fails to make you feel like dancing all the way down Canal Street.” (January 27, 2008)
Background
Lindell grew up in the San Francisco Bay AreaSan Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. He began playing in bands at the age of 15. Among his early musical influences were Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
and Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
.
Lindell started playing in Northern California bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
s, first with the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, and later moving to bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, while working as a baker
Baker
A baker is someone who bakes and sells bread, Cakes and similar foods may also be produced, as the traditional boundaries between what is produced by a baker as opposed to a pastry chef have blurred in recent decades...
during the day to make ends meet. After a few years he had decided to move to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
briefly, then moved in 1999 to New Orleans, where his creativity was able to flourish further. In New Orleans he often played with well-known drummers Johnny Vidacovich
Johnny Vidacovich
Johnny Vidacovich is a contemporary jazz drummer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Playing since the early 1970s with the quartet Astral Project , he has become widely renowned as a prominent and sought after New Orleans musician as well as contributing to New Orleans cultural heritage...
and Harold Ray Brown (formerly of War) as well as members of Galactic, including Galactic's
Galactic
Galactic is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.-Origins and background:Originally formed in 1994 as an octet and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio,...
Stanton Moore
Stanton Moore
Stanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
and Ivan Neville
Ivan Neville
Ivan Neville is a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of Aaron Neville and nephew to members of The Neville Brothers....
(with whom he now occasionally plays in a side project called Dragon Smoke.) By 2005, he was well-known on the New Orleans music scene, having appeared in local clubs and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and had gained enough attention to have Alligator Records
Alligator Records
Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
sign him.
Alligator’s initial release by Lindell was Change In The Weather, a compilation of tracks from his various self-produced albums and E.P.s, some released on his own Sparco Records label. Notably the self titled album and Piety Street Sessions with Marty Joyce on drums,Cass Faulconer on bass and Marc Adams on B3 as well as others. "Change In The Weather' yielded the radio single “Give It Time” which received major play on Adult Album Alternative-formatted stations around the country and was featured in an episode of the Boston Legal
Boston Legal
Boston Legal is an American legal dramedy created by David E. Kelley, which was produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television for the ABC...
TV show. His second Alligator release was produced for the label by Lindell. The radio single, “Lay Back Down,” was again well received by AAA, and also appeared in the TV shows True Blood
True Blood
True Blood is an American television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, detailing the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional, small town in the state of Louisiana...
and Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights (TV series)
Friday Night Lights is an American sports drama television series adapted by Peter Berg, Brian Grazer and David Nevins from a book and film of the same name. The series details events surrounding a high school football team based in fictional Dillon, Texas, with particular focus given to team...
. Gulf Coast Highway, his third Alligator release (also self-produced), found him accompanied by members of Galactic as well as members of Eric’s touring band. “If Love Can’t Find A Way” was the featured radio track.
Eric typically performs about 100 live performances a year. He has made recent trips to perform in Europe and made his first Australian appearance in 2007. He made his network television debut on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
in February 2008.
Lindell's "Change in the Weather" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Jam Album of the year.
Lindell's musical style borrows from 1970s blues-rock
Blues-rock
Blues rock is a hybrid musical genre combining bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended boogie jams with rock and roll styles. The core of the blues rock sound is created by the electric guitar, piano, bass guitar and drum kit, with the electric guitar usually amplified through a...
, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and R&B. His style has also been called "blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
", a common short-hand used for Anglo blues singers that has been applied to artists including Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall is an American rock, R&B and soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates . Hall scored several Billboard chart hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, and is regarded as one of the best blue eyed soul singers...
(of Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
fame) and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, among others.
Discography
- 2011 West County Drifter (M.C. Records)
- 2011 Cazadero (Sparco Records)
- 2010 Between Motion and Rest(Sparco Records)
- 2009 Gulf Coast Highway (Alligator RecordsAlligator RecordsAlligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
) - 2008 Low on Cash, Rich in Love (Alligator RecordsAlligator RecordsAlligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
) - 2006 Change in the Weather (Alligator RecordsAlligator RecordsAlligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
) - 2005 Tragic Magic (Sparco Records)
- 2003 EP Volume 1 (Sparco Records)
- 2003 Piety Street Session (Sparco Records)
- 2002 Eric Lindell (album) (self-released)
- 1996 Bring it Back (Grizzly Records)
External links
- Eric Lindell Official website
- Eric Lindell's record label Sparco Records
- Eric Lindell at Alligator Records
- [ Eric Lindell at All Music Guide]
- Interview from An Honest Tune