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Eric Roberson
...LEFT AHEAD If you ever heard the music of Eric Roberson then you know that the talented artist is full of passion and excitement. If you have never heard his music, then you are truly missing out on a musical experience that leaves you wanting to sit back and hit repeat! With over 13 years in the business, he has a reputation for being a pioneer and an innovator. He is unlike any other artist, he is consistently creative and true to the music. He gives what he calls “honest music” and therefore has set himself apart from the pack. He has released five albums with the latest entitled .…Left . In this interview, Eric explains why this seemingly strange title is so fitting to his life. One thing for sure is that there is much still left ahead for this artist whose music continuously visits lovers of all walks of life.
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B-E-M: How would you define Healthy Living?
ER: Great question. Sure eating right and taking the time to exercise is a great way to describe it. But to me I feel it’s maintaining a certain level of balance in your life – physically, emotionally and spiritually.
B-E-M: In what ways do you keep yourself healthy?
ER: Working hard and playing hard. I'm away from home touring a lot, so when I get home I try to surround myself with love ones. When I'm on the road I try to make sure I have some quiet time everyday. I truly try to keep good energy around me. I don't like stress, and try my best to remove it from my surroundings.
Physically, when I get on stage the crowd wants me at 100 percent, so I do a lot to take care of my voice. No dairy. I love cheese, so I miss it dearly. I drink more water than a fish! I also warm up properly before a show, and try my best to cool down and get back to neutral after a show.
B-E-M: How long have you been doing music?
ER: Music was always around and very important in my life. I started writing poetry as soon as I learned how to form sentences. When I was around 11 years old my parents got me a keyboard, and there was no turning back then.
B-E-M: Who were and are your influences?
ER: Almost any music I could get my hands on. I would listen to everything. There were musical life-changing moments though. Listening to Stevie Wonder and Commissioned were some of my first musical lessons. My ear completely changed when I first heard A Tribe Called Quest. There too many influences to name though. The organist at my church growing up taught me a whole lot too; my father playing the guitar around the house; watching my sister sing in bands growing up.
B-E-M: What is your ethnic background and how has your background influenced the music you produce?
ER: For the most part I am African American, but I do know my great grandfather on my mother's side was white. Most of my family is from North Carolina. My grandfather, my father, and most of my uncles are preachers and deacons, so I was brought up in the church. But I was a Jersey kid too, so I was born in hip hop and house music. I never looked at any of the genres as if one was better than the other. I would walk around with my boom box, with tapes of Prince, Winans, Ten City and Run DMC, not thinking anything of it. It was all about what I felt like playing. I approach my music the same way. It's all about what I'm feeling.
B-E-M: What do you want the world and more specifically the black community to get out of your music and out of you as an artist?
ER: That there is always a way. That there is always a story to inspire you to do and be better. Also that we have a responsibility to music and to each other.
B-E-M: What do you think could improve black music overall? For the community as well as for the artists.
ER: Well the main thing we can improve is the balance. I have no problem with the music someone else does, but black music right now has tunnel vision. I wish it addressed all ages, and tastes. We need to allow the subjects to vary more, and not be so stuck on what the genre expects. It’s crazy to think R&B can only do love, and hip hop can only do partying and money. Even gospel music today isn't as balanced as it could be.
B-E-M: What advice would you give aspiring artists?
ER: Work very hard on your craft, till the technique part becomes invisible. That way you can focus on the moment and the feelings you’re trying to capture. You will have a lot of doors slammed in your face, and you will hear a ton of “no’s.” But remain focused on your goals. This game is all about completion. The people who win in this business are the ones that complete what they set out to do. Don’t let someone with lesser talent out hustle you. A good friend of mine says, “If you’re not going 100 percent, you can’t complain.” I agree whole heartedly.
B-E-M: Let's talk about your new album "...Left" please explain the name and what special meaning it has for you.
ER: Left symbolizes a lot of things for me. Most importantly it represents the artistic and business direction my team and I have taken. Though the norm is going this way, we are going to go that way… Another reason I named the album “Left” was because of the majors. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get a deal, nor hold on to one. Sure at times I felt unlucky, but now I realize God “left” me out of that so I could do music the way I truly wanted to. So now my job is to make sure that door is “left” open for those that follow.
B-E-M: What community service projects have you been involved in or what projects would you like see in your community?
ER: I visit my high school and do seminars for the student every year or two. I've held seminars at my alma mater HOWARD UNIVERSITY as well. It always feels good to run into kids I spoke to years ago, and hearing about how those talks helped them. Still try and participate in whatever youth programs we are having at my church.
On top of that, I am very dedicated to starting a program to educate and assist artists and musicians in getting health insurance. I don't think people realize how many people in the music business have car insurance, but no health insurance. With the passing of J Dilla last year, who was sick for years and passed without having health insurance hopefully will wake some of us up. It woke me up.
B-E-M: In what ways do you take care of the earth, for example: Do you conserve water and/or electricity?
ER: To be honest, just recently, I've made adjustments in my life to take better care of the earth. I've always been aware of how much electricity I use. Outside of showers I don’t waste water. I think a lot of that has to do with being a home owner, and having to pay for that also. Now when I'm buying something I will pass on the bag if I can carry it myself. I’m losing the taste for big gas guzzling trucks. I was just overseas and it amazes me how much more environmentally conscious they are than us. There are more things I need to learn, but I see how things are changing, and I realize my responsibility in helping preserve it.
B-E-M: What is your favorite part about being an artist?
ER: Ohhhh...so much of it. Two things stick out for me, though. One is creating. To get lost in a song is my drug. The second is when someone shares how a song I did helped them. From couples falling in love, to conceiving a child to my music, reconciling a marriage, or simply getting over a love going wrong. When people share their stories it really feeds me, and inspires me to push on.
B-E-M: What is the most difficult part about being an artist?
ER: Art is such a selfish thing. To really do it the right way it demands so much time, so I miss out on a lot of family things. I miss them a great deal when I’m on the road. I was in London last Mother’s Day, and I’m always performing on Valentine’s Day. I’m thankful I have a supportive family and lady.
B-E-M: What are some of your plans for the future?
ER: To continue to grow and share that growth. You never know what tomorrow brings, but I am always up for the challenge or the lesson. For the most part, I will be touring for the rest of this year to support “...Left.” The pen never stops moving though, so I hope to have some new songs for the people soon.
ER: Great question. Sure eating right and taking the time to exercise is a great way to describe it. But to me I feel it’s maintaining a certain level of balance in your life – physically, emotionally and spiritually.
B-E-M: In what ways do you keep yourself healthy?
ER: Working hard and playing hard. I'm away from home touring a lot, so when I get home I try to surround myself with love ones. When I'm on the road I try to make sure I have some quiet time everyday. I truly try to keep good energy around me. I don't like stress, and try my best to remove it from my surroundings.
Physically, when I get on stage the crowd wants me at 100 percent, so I do a lot to take care of my voice. No dairy. I love cheese, so I miss it dearly. I drink more water than a fish! I also warm up properly before a show, and try my best to cool down and get back to neutral after a show.
B-E-M: How long have you been doing music?
ER: Music was always around and very important in my life. I started writing poetry as soon as I learned how to form sentences. When I was around 11 years old my parents got me a keyboard, and there was no turning back then.
B-E-M: Who were and are your influences?
ER: Almost any music I could get my hands on. I would listen to everything. There were musical life-changing moments though. Listening to Stevie Wonder and Commissioned were some of my first musical lessons. My ear completely changed when I first heard A Tribe Called Quest. There too many influences to name though. The organist at my church growing up taught me a whole lot too; my father playing the guitar around the house; watching my sister sing in bands growing up.
B-E-M: What is your ethnic background and how has your background influenced the music you produce?
ER: For the most part I am African American, but I do know my great grandfather on my mother's side was white. Most of my family is from North Carolina. My grandfather, my father, and most of my uncles are preachers and deacons, so I was brought up in the church. But I was a Jersey kid too, so I was born in hip hop and house music. I never looked at any of the genres as if one was better than the other. I would walk around with my boom box, with tapes of Prince, Winans, Ten City and Run DMC, not thinking anything of it. It was all about what I felt like playing. I approach my music the same way. It's all about what I'm feeling.
B-E-M: What do you want the world and more specifically the black community to get out of your music and out of you as an artist?
ER: That there is always a way. That there is always a story to inspire you to do and be better. Also that we have a responsibility to music and to each other.
B-E-M: What do you think could improve black music overall? For the community as well as for the artists.
ER: Well the main thing we can improve is the balance. I have no problem with the music someone else does, but black music right now has tunnel vision. I wish it addressed all ages, and tastes. We need to allow the subjects to vary more, and not be so stuck on what the genre expects. It’s crazy to think R&B can only do love, and hip hop can only do partying and money. Even gospel music today isn't as balanced as it could be.
B-E-M: What advice would you give aspiring artists?
ER: Work very hard on your craft, till the technique part becomes invisible. That way you can focus on the moment and the feelings you’re trying to capture. You will have a lot of doors slammed in your face, and you will hear a ton of “no’s.” But remain focused on your goals. This game is all about completion. The people who win in this business are the ones that complete what they set out to do. Don’t let someone with lesser talent out hustle you. A good friend of mine says, “If you’re not going 100 percent, you can’t complain.” I agree whole heartedly.
B-E-M: Let's talk about your new album "...Left" please explain the name and what special meaning it has for you.
ER: Left symbolizes a lot of things for me. Most importantly it represents the artistic and business direction my team and I have taken. Though the norm is going this way, we are going to go that way… Another reason I named the album “Left” was because of the majors. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get a deal, nor hold on to one. Sure at times I felt unlucky, but now I realize God “left” me out of that so I could do music the way I truly wanted to. So now my job is to make sure that door is “left” open for those that follow.
B-E-M: What community service projects have you been involved in or what projects would you like see in your community?
ER: I visit my high school and do seminars for the student every year or two. I've held seminars at my alma mater HOWARD UNIVERSITY as well. It always feels good to run into kids I spoke to years ago, and hearing about how those talks helped them. Still try and participate in whatever youth programs we are having at my church.
On top of that, I am very dedicated to starting a program to educate and assist artists and musicians in getting health insurance. I don't think people realize how many people in the music business have car insurance, but no health insurance. With the passing of J Dilla last year, who was sick for years and passed without having health insurance hopefully will wake some of us up. It woke me up.
B-E-M: In what ways do you take care of the earth, for example: Do you conserve water and/or electricity?
ER: To be honest, just recently, I've made adjustments in my life to take better care of the earth. I've always been aware of how much electricity I use. Outside of showers I don’t waste water. I think a lot of that has to do with being a home owner, and having to pay for that also. Now when I'm buying something I will pass on the bag if I can carry it myself. I’m losing the taste for big gas guzzling trucks. I was just overseas and it amazes me how much more environmentally conscious they are than us. There are more things I need to learn, but I see how things are changing, and I realize my responsibility in helping preserve it.
B-E-M: What is your favorite part about being an artist?
ER: Ohhhh...so much of it. Two things stick out for me, though. One is creating. To get lost in a song is my drug. The second is when someone shares how a song I did helped them. From couples falling in love, to conceiving a child to my music, reconciling a marriage, or simply getting over a love going wrong. When people share their stories it really feeds me, and inspires me to push on.
B-E-M: What is the most difficult part about being an artist?
ER: Art is such a selfish thing. To really do it the right way it demands so much time, so I miss out on a lot of family things. I miss them a great deal when I’m on the road. I was in London last Mother’s Day, and I’m always performing on Valentine’s Day. I’m thankful I have a supportive family and lady.
B-E-M: What are some of your plans for the future?
ER: To continue to grow and share that growth. You never know what tomorrow brings, but I am always up for the challenge or the lesson. For the most part, I will be touring for the rest of this year to support “...Left.” The pen never stops moving though, so I hope to have some new songs for the people soon.
