Eric “Dash” Friedman has been making music since his early teens,
recording EPs in Philadelphia and playing shows all over the Tri-State
area. However, it was when he was 23 that he tasted first success with
his single “One More Love Song”.
In the beginning of 2019, Eric had his debut release as an
artist/producer called Unspecified, as a non-genre specific
collection. He then had a string of singles and most recently released
a new EP, Ship Of Mine, which has over 70k streams in less than a
week. Ship Of Mine is a collection of songs from the past and a
pre-emptive release to Eric’s full length album Bystander. That will
start to release June/July with a full album in September/October.
Eric plays all over Los Angeles, most recently at Moroccan Lounger,
Harvard & Stone, and Davey Wayne’s. His next show is 7/15 at Harvard &
Stone where he performs a slew of originals mixed with rock and blues
covers from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Thank you for taking this interview! How has the New Year been for you
so far as an artist?
This year has been great, but it’s just kind of starting for me. I’ve
released a single and EP that I’ve had for years and I love those
songs. But I held them unsure of how to release and when I decided to
do a full length album, which is coming soon, I knew I would use Hard
Times, for always, and One Day to grab as many streaming numbers as
possible before the future album.
Can you tell us how you've transformed from the beginning to now as an artist?
Once an artist, always an artist. An artist is just someone that has
an artistic vision. I’ve been writing since I was 8. But I’ve
transformed because I learned other things like producing and mixing
for myself and to help others. But I just see things through that lens
now.
How did you come up with your latest project?
I’ve always written from the heart and whatever comes out comes out.
If something sticks, I’ll make more in that direction. But it was
never about trying to do something specific. It was just what I wanted
to try at the moment.
Where are you from originally?
I’m from Cherry Hill, New Jersey! Outside of Philadelphia.
Where do you live now?
In Hollywood by the reservoir so I can make as much noise as possible
in my house and no one will complain haha.
Do you think where you live impacts how your music is made?
It absolutely has. In the past that is. It’s easy to be swayed by the
Los Angeles pop rat race and indie sound and Spotify playlists. And
TikTok trends. But all of that is noise. It’s good to look at it for
whoever it resonates with and that’s great. But it’s not me and I
finally am cool with that.
What was the inspiration to make music your career?
I really don’t know. I just wrote to write. I always looked up to
Blink 182, Something Corporate, Yellowcard, The Starting Line… and
dreamed of being in a band like that. And then found John Mayer and
Stevie Ray and a new rabbit hole and dreams changed. And then I found
production. So I guess I just deeply feel sometimes for certain music
and it inspires me to build. There wasn’t anything else that ever made
me feel that way.
How do you want to shape your career?
Music’s changing every day so I don’t know anymore. I’d like my new
album to do very well obviously, but I’d also like to produce, write
and mix for artists I truly believe in. So in essence like Jack
Antonoff, but my own thing of course. He is a Jew from my area in
Jersey so we have that in common too lol.
Do you work on a tight timeline always or do you go with the flow when
it comes to your music?
I usually go with the flow unless it’s for someone else and they have
the budget to demand a tight timeline! I do try to be timely in
general though. The only times I’ve dragged my feet were when I wasn’t
a mixer yet and they didn’t have a budget for a mixer. So I didn’t
know what to do… you can have a great song and production and if it’s
the wrong mix, it kills it. And everything you worked for goes down
the drain. It happens too often.
How did your latest title of your music come to be?
I never wrote them to release them. I wrote and made them in a few
days to show Reynolds Management what I could do. They liked the songs
but didn’t connect enough. But that doesn’t bother me, they were so
cool and I respected and appreciated them having the conversation with
me.
Is it hard to let go of the music when it is done?
Absolutely not. The hard part is saying it’s done lol. I know what
things can be and I’m always fighting for that. Even within budget, I
don’t use that as an excuse. So that’s what’s hard. Getting it there
with all of the barriers. Then I look away, post a couple promo things
on Instagram and forget about it. Otherwise it’s easy to obsess and
get upset.
Do you feel an emotional attachment to your music?
Yes I do! For anything I’m making, whether it’s mine or it’s for
another artist. I want them to be so happy it brings tears to their
eyes. Intangible.
How would you describe your music in one word to someone who hasn't
listened to it yet?
Storytelling
Where do they go to listen NOW?
Whatever their streaming provider is, Spotify, Apple. Or they can
purchase on iTunes or Bandcamp! Even better!
What has been the best fan reaction to your music?
Honestly, any time someone reaches out it makes me happy and that’s
the best in itself. I work really hard to make these songs and I feel
very alone in doing so. So I appreciate everything, like when you
reached out for an interview! It made my day.
Is there anything exciting coming up for you?
Yep. A 13 song album that I cut at my favorite studio in the world
with some of my best friends who are insanely talented players. I’m
running a production and writing camp for other artists who I think
are wonderful. I’m mixing for a bunch of artists. And I’m working for a
music IP company. So a lot of exciting things for my artistry and
contributing to others!
Are you performing the song anywhere LIVE?
7/15 at Harvard & Stone
Links
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/0LSj3Ml1qImE3dRHEUt1Qu?si=MqQMLKRATA6N4gvNplPZYQ
Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/eric-dash/1448249838
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ericdashmusic
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@ericdashmusic
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/ericdashmusic
Website:http://www.ericdash.com