Interview: Erica Chase

"Paris" is the new compelling single/video, from talented and unique pop recording artist, Erica Chase. The song is not only powerful, but relevant as well.

Erica Chase has an unusual story, which led her follow her dreams, and pursue a career in the music industry. Although the world might not know Erica Chase yet, it is just a matter of time before they do.

I feel like your songs have somewhat deep messages, I'm wondering if your song writing is an outlet for you and your experiences, or experiences of others?

Absolutely. Most songwriters use that as a sort of therapy to have an emotional space in a certain place. Sometimes we can't articulate those feelings into words. You don't want to repress them, so it's a great healthy way to get it out there, and also intentionally I'm not too specific with the lyrics so that someone else could relate. The point of being a songwriter is, once you write the song, and it's out of you it sort of belongs to the world, and it's up to you to make sure the individual person is listening to what you are saying. Like with "Adele's" " Someone Like You", you say, " that's what I'm going through"... That's the point of it really.

I know that you know the music business somewhat, how do you feel the industry has changed since social media, streaming, and things like that, as compared to going into a record store and buying a CD, or even a vinyl?

It's been such a dramatic change, especially with downloads, but now streaming has risen. The way people are experiencing music has changed the entire recording industry.

Is there a current favorite song that you've written?

I really think " Paris" is one of the best songs that I've ever wrote. It's a really special song for me, but also the most recent song is usually it, because it's exciting. So whenever I write a song, it's exciting because it just keeps you encouraged. That's my biggest fear, running out of songs.

Somehow I don't think that will happen to you. What inspires a song? When one comes to you, do you have to run into the bathroom and write it down?

Typically when I write a song, it's not like a conscious thing. I'm just dirt of a vessel, and it tells me when it wants to come through and I just sit down with a guitar , and it just comes through pretty quickly. I usually write songs within 20 to 30 minutes, and it all at one time, I never go back to anything. The music and lyrics happen simultaneously, and it just sort of flows. If it starts to be a struggle, then it's not ready to be. With "Paris", that came to me in a slightly different way. I was driving home, listening to some music in my car, and the first line of the song,"I thought I left you in Paris, in that melody just came out of my mouth. The song was starting itself early. I didn't even know where it was coming from. After I wrote it, and I've heard other song writers say this, you kind of know when you have something different. Something that stands out. I immediately called my longtime manager, Dana Strum, ( from the band "Slaughter"), and I played it for him.

Now you have a special story to tell. One that changed your life.

I had a crazy, near death experience. I was hit by a truck on my bicycle when I was in college. There was a series of events leading up to it. I was finishing college, my last year, and I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do after. I always played music, but a part of me felt I should use my education and do something with that. I didn't have the balls to say I wanted to pursue music. I applied for a teaching program, but I wasn't accepted. Thankfully, or I wouldn't be talking to you now. My dad befriended someone that knew Dana Strum, from the band Slaughter. He arranged for Dana to give me a call. I didn't even know who Dana was. He was on MTV when I was really young. I had to google him. I thought that after the phone call there was some weird energy going on. It was a mixture of elation and fear. Then less then 24 hours later is when I got in this accident. I woke up in a flight for life helicopter. It was a crazy frightening experience. I pretty much walked away relatively unscathed. I knew that that happened for a reason. I didn't need anymore signs, and they all pointed to "go chase your dreams".

Find Erica at Www.EricaChase.com

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