Interview With Leaving Eden's Eric Gynan
- Samuel Stevens
- Aug 22
- 4 min read
How would you describe your music to any person who may have never heard it before?
Eric: Hi, I’m Eric Gynan, Co-founder of the bands Leaving Eden & Silver Springs Fleetwood Mac Tribute
(2 different bands with the same members).
A little introduction:
USA, Boston, MA
Label: Verdict Music, Sony/Universal Worldwide Distribution
Members:
Eve - Lead vocals
Alyssa Bailey White - Keys/Vocals
Jake Gynan - Drums
Rich Chouinard - Bass/Vocals
Eric Gynan - Guitar/Vocals.
What's the significance of your band's band?
Eric: We look at this whole planet, at one point being the garden of Eden, and since it’s filled with all the corruption and deceit, wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere else for a little bit, thus “Leaving Eden”
What are your musical influences and inspirations? Also, if given the chance, what musician(s) would you like to collaborate with? Rather, this is to either write a song or be featured on a track.
Eric: My older brother turned me onto Black Sabbath when I was a kid. He also turned me onto the band UFO with Michael Schenker. Both in which we’ve had the opportunity to share the stage, so it was really a full circle for me. Because we play in a Fleetwood Mac tribute also, I learned to really appreciate Lindsey Buckingham's guitar work. I never liked Fleetwood Mac that much when I was a kid, but I learned to appreciate it as I said. Would love to write, record with, or perform with Lindsey Buckingham.
When you find yourself in a creative rut, what do you usually turn to? Any habits, environments or even non-musical sources that help you reconnect with your creativity?
Eric: Fortunately, I never find myself in a creative rut. The environment is usually when I’m alone. A lot of time spent alone in this business, either writing, recording, or practicing, rehearsing. I was always the guy at the parties playing the guitar in the corner. I just connect with the universe and listen and everything seems to come.
Do you have any favourite songs to perform live? Could be your own music or even a cover.
I love the melody, piano, guitar licks, and the vocal line, lyrics.
If you could perform a show this very second anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Eric: Our label talked to us about Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, next year, so we will see. Looks fun, can probably find some great Scotch while we are there.
What do you currently have planned for the remainder of the year?
Eric: We will continue writing, recording and touring, breaking into new and exciting territories as we forge ahead. We’ve been fortunate enough to have shared the stage with so many great artists, touring The USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; Lacuna Coil, In This Moment, Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Ronnie James Dio, Rob Zombie, 5 Finger DeathPunch, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZTop, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, Killswitch Engage, Buckcherry (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Country Joe, 10 Years After, 40th Anniversary Woodstock) Shinedown, Dropkick Murphy’s, Alice in Chains, Papa Roach, Bret Michaels, Halestorm,Theory of a Deadman, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Hell Yeah, Trapt, Dope, Soil, Fuel, Queensryche, Saving Abel, Hinder, Damage Plan, 7Dust, Sebastian Bach, SoulFly, Days of the New, NonPoint, DrowningPool, The Misfits, The Butcher Babies, Collective Soul, MushroomHead, Mudvayne, Chevelle, Godsmack, Powerman 5000, 10Years, Taproot, Gin Blossoms, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions) Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Kittie, One eyed doll, Uncle Kracker, Tremonti (Creed/Alterbridge) Lamb of god, Slayer, Stone Sour, Motorhead, Blackstone Cherry, HOOKERS & BLOW Featuring GUNS N’ ROSES, QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P. Members, Steven Tyler, Ted Nugent, Lita Ford, LA Guns, Trixter, Warrant, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack) Adelitas Way, Scott Stapp (The voice of Creed), Pop Evil, Ratt & many more.
If your music was a type of food, what would it be and why? Eric: Chewing gum, so you can chew on it for a while and savour the flavour.
What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you while performing?
Eric: Nothing really comes to mind other than tripping, falling with a guitar and saving the guitar.
What's the most random thing that has ever inspired you to write a song?
Eric: Just random thoughts that come to mind while travelling when you have nothing to do. Your mind wanders, maybe something that was said in conversation, even just a word, can trigger a song. What's the most useless talent you have, and would you incorporate it into your music if you could? Eric: Playing with my balls? I don’t think I can incorporate that. I’m joking, by the way. [Laughs].
Thanks for the time today, Eric. Is there anything else you may want to add that I didn't cover before you go?
Thanx so much, and you can check out our tour dates https://leavingeden.com/tour & https://silverspringsfleetwoodmactribute.com/tour-dates
Twas my pleasure.
Follow the band on their socials: https://www.facebook.com/bandleavingeden