Young Adult Magazine: You started off exploring your musical talents around age 8 and playing guitar and songwriting around 13. Can you tell us what sparked your interest in music at such a young age?
Eric Dash: Honestly at this point I can’t even remember. I just liked having fun. My brother and I wrote together at first, writing funny lyrics and changing the melodies to popular songs on the radio. We had a blast.
YA: What has been your biggest success thus far?
ED: My father telling me he’s proud of me, no matter what. I don’t think anything will beat that.
YA: Who inspires you musically? Why?
ED: So many artists inspire me. Every day I hear a new song that gives me a new idea. But my main inspiration to write is girls. I’m a romantic at heart and I can’t help it. No shame in being who I am.
YA: What five songs are you currently listening to on your iPod?
ED: Lets see… “Demons” by Imagine Dragons. Miley’s “Wrecking Ball.” The Neighbourhood “Sweater Weather.” Eric Clapton’s “Hey Hey.” And a song I just finished recording that I’m proud of!
YA: Tell us a little more about your single “One More Love Song.” Is it inspired by a particular someone?
ED: Every song of mine is true. “One More Love Song” is about an ex-girlfriend who I was on and off with for a few years. I was in that place of purgatory when a relationship is over, but the idea of that relationship still hadn’t vanished. You know what I’m talking about. I didn’t want to say goodbye…
YA: What song would you like to cover?
ED: I’d like to do an acoustic version of Lorde’s “Royals.”
YA: What are three things your fans might not know about you that you want them to know?
ED: If you’re going to win my heart you have to win my mother’s too. I have a birthmark on my right forearm that looks exactly like a chili pepper – and I love the Chili Peppers. Destined to be a rock star, haha. Lastly, I hurt my arms playing too much guitar when I was younger so I had to stop for about a year and a half and rehab. Gotta always push to get better.
YA: What’s a special skill outside of music that you have?
ED: I’m really good with computer design. When I was 10 or so I made website banners for a few companies on the web using Photoshop. No one knew I was younger and I did it for free.
YA: Do you have any advice for people looking up to you trying to get a music career off the ground?
ED: Take all advice that people have to give you, but don’t live by that advice. Pick and choose what is right and what is wrong. But you need to learn to accept a difficult truth so you can work to better yourself.
YA: What’s coming up next for you?
ED: A full album. It’s coming and as soon as I can give you a date, I will.