Joseph Eid
The album’s title track "Human", displays the pastoral beauty, delicate guitar work, and intricate but relatable lyrics that have become Eid’s trademark. “Human” seamlessly blends sharp, melodic pop lyricism with traditional folk sensibilities evoking folk troubadours both past and present . The album’s first single “Ready Now”, is propelled by a driving rhythm section, lush instrumentation and an instantly unforgettable hook.
Originally born in Liberia, Joseph Eid grew up in the suburbs of Westchester New York, eventually moving to Los Angeles, Eid realized his passion for songwriting while playing an open mic in 2007. He began working with world-renowned guitarist/songwriter David Lamar shortly after, honing his songwriting at weekly showcases at the Stone Bar, leading the prolific singer/songwriter to write over 30 new songs as well as record his Debut EP Cardiac Output.
Known as a dynamic solo performer, Joseph Eid has brought his cathartic one-man live show to many of Los Angeles’ premier music venues, including stints at Room 5 and the Viper Room.
He has enjoyed touring quite a bit in the Northwest during the past few years playing wineries, pubs, parks and festivals. Having played a handful of house concerts on the west coast, he is now proud to be a part of the "concerts in your home" community. He is looking forward to touring much more after the release of "Human." Look for a CD release show to be announced in Los Angeles, New York, and Bend soon.
R. If you weren't singing, what would you be doing?
JE. I would be a Psychologist or some kind of social worker. Got my Bachelors in Psychology and that would always have been my second career. I like to think I provide therapy through my music. :)
R. How would you describe the music that you typically create?
JE. I think for the most part, it is uplifting music that is very relatable. It takes serious subject matters and puts a positive spin on them. I love to share any lessons I have learned from an experience and maybe that can help others feel connected and hopeful. Sonically, I like to keep things very organic and true so all the instruments are live. It's folk music with a bit of pop.
R. What makes your music unique?
JE. See above. Also I have been told by listeners that there is a certain pure and honest quality that comes through in the songs. That is always, for me, the best news I can get from an audience. I will not release anything or finish a song that I do not feel is 100% true for me or someone I know.
R. Human is your first full - length studio album. Share with us the over-all production behind the album. What challengers did you face and what were the highlights?
JE. At first the project seemed overwhelming. I thought how am I going to do this and it is going to take forever. When you are producing your own record, you have to do it all. A friend introduced me to Brian Soucy and karen Tobin who have a great little studio called Sunnyland Productions. They produce and record a lot of country and similar type music. I went in for a meeting and heard some of the stuff they worked on and thought the quality was excellent. I was impressed by the musicians who played on the recordings, and especially by the mixes I heard. So I started working with Brian Soucy who is the engineer on my record and co-producer as well. We just started by recording my songs with just my acoustic guitar tracks and my vocals. From there, Brian and Karen began suggesting some musicians they thought I might like. . . who i immediately loved. So with Karen and Brian's suggestions and a few of my own, we ended up with what I think are some of the best players in Los Angeles . I was very happy with the results. It was also a lot of fun to bring in some of my favorite local singer friends to add some background vocals and harmonies. The recording process took us about 8 months.. Brian Soucy is a perfectionist. So together, we did not accept anything that we didn't love. The challenges for me were in how long everything was taking. . . If I could do it, I would have been in the studio every single day. But because I was funding the whole project myself, things had to be spread out and also working with everyone else's schedules. If there were more challenges I don't remember them. When you put a lot of effort into something that ends up the way you envisioned and better, then the challenges just disappear and all you can think of are the highlights..... being in the studio and recording, I just love that process. It's so intimate and fun for me. Hearing the songs develop from acoustic guitar and vocal tracks to what they are now. hearing the violin player or steel guitar player or drummer, bass player, keyboard player add such tasteful parts to the songs. And the biggest highlight for me, working with such talented people. I love the feeling of a community and I am a very social person. So meeting new musicians and working with new people was a lot of fun. Brian was a great choice of engineer and co-producer and sunnyland was the right studio for me. He treated this project as his own and I trusted him completely. that is a good feeling. I have my friend Alison to the thank for introducing me to Brian and Karen.
R. Ready Now is the official first single from the album. For the video, you opted for a more animated approach. Why did you choose this concept?
JE. Well, you know that saying "necessity is the mother of invention"... well, I had this great idea to do a video for "Ready Now" with me working out at home, feeling great, being on this high and feeling ready to be loved by "the one"... and then I started to think about all that would take to pull that video off...the cameras, the actors, the locations, the permits, etc.. and I don't like to do things unless I am doing them all the way. needless to say, I did not have the budget...so I though, hmmm, what's the next best thing, a CARTOON!! It will not cost as much or take as much preparation and it might actually be really cool. I met Danny Ochoa (the animator) on craigslist. I LOVED his work and we started drafting up the story together. He sent me a storyboard for approval. we went back and forth a few times and that was it! Danny is super talented and I love his style so he really got the idea and the vibe of the song right away. And in the end, I think the animation was the right call for this song. The song is a little tongue in cheek and I didn't want people to take it too literally so the video lightens it up.
R. How do you rate your live performance ability? Do you feel better performing live or in the studio? What would you like to change or improve?
JE. I feel like my studio performance and live performance are actually pretty close to each other in dynamics and quality. They definitely feel different though. In the studio i feel like I have more freedom to do things with my voice that I can't always do live...like get really close and sing softer and I tap into a this haunting resonance in some songs. That is the advantage of the studio setting. It is controlled. I can't always do that in a live setting, especially when I am competing with the surrounding noise levels or a rowdier atmosphere. I sing out more and focus on projecting and connecting with my audience is the number one goal. I get excited about connecting with people and communicating the message of the songs. The most enjoyable live performances for me are in more of a theatre setting or private concerts where I can really connect with the audience and tell the stories.
JE. I will be doing a CD release show in Los Angeles in November. (11/17/13) at EL CID. That is exciting. Then another CD release show in New York City!! That is where I grew up so that I am also really looking forward to. I got hooked up with a great venue in soho called The Bookstore Cafe and I playing the "Live From Home" concert series there. It's going to be a benefit concert and so many amazing artists have played this venue so it is truly an honor. In the new year, I just plan on playing as many shows to support my album as well as shop the songs for tv, film, and other commercial opportunities.
Last but not least...
R. Tell us about your most embarrassing moment if you care to share it with us?
JE. hahaa...well there are SO many!! but one of the ones i can share is one of my first performances in Los Angeles was at a great music bar called The Stone Bar. I had gone up to play about 4 or 5 songs after a pretty legendary blues singer/songwriter/guitarist DAVID LAMAR. I was terrified. ...lol. But it ended up being the performance that got me asked to come back to the bar weekly and play...so it went well. However, at the end of my set, I was so out of it and still nervous that I just walked off the stage with my guitar strapped around me and STILL plugged into the PA system and then BANG the loudest pop and everyone heard and was like dude...where are you going, you have to unplug. lol. we had a nice laugh . The bar owner, who is not one of my good friends still teases me about this...at every show he will inevitably meet someone and say "oh I remember Joseph when he was just starting out...he played at my bar and walked off stage with his guitar still plugged in"...he's got an English accent so when he tells the story, it's pretty funny...and embarrassing. funny how your friends never want to let go of those moments. :)
Upcoming Shows
11/17 El Cid - Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
12/17 Housing Works Bookstore Cafe - Crosby St. New York, NY
To hear and learn more about Joseph Eid go to:
Web
Joseph Eid
facebook.com/JosephEidMusic
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