LAMP MIX #331 Feat. Eric Sharp Emergence EP Special Feature
Hey there LAMP Fam. Coming at you with a special feature this week from one of our favorite artists Eric Sharp. Earlier this year Sharp gave us a taste of this new EP Emergence when he dropped ‘Like Water’. This past Friday we were pleasantly treated to the full EP which consist of two more originals ‘Scream & Shout’ and ‘The Gift’. Additionally there are two special renditions, one coming from Plus on ‘Like Water’, and the other coming from Sharp himself on ‘Scream & Shout’. His emphasis on the club being a conduit for both dance-ready tracks and exercises in songwriting and composition have propelled the producer and DJ to a rare 16-year-long career. This remarkable journey has seen Sharp hold down a coveted residency at LA’s Sound Nightclub, perform at festivals like Coachella, SXSW, and Outside Lands, collaborate with Anna Lunoe, remix acts like Major Lazer's Jillionaire, Grammy-winners Jars Of Clay, and Atlantic Records' Melanie Martinez, and top Hype Machine charts. We are so honored to have a special guest mix and interview for you today so you can explore this amazing EP and get to know more about this amazingly talented producer and staple of the Los Angeles music dance community. Scroll down for all the good stuff!
Josh Brooks: Hi Eric! Welcome back to the LAMP mix and interview series! Great work on the new EP ‘Emergence’. I have really been enjoying it over the past few days since its release. Can you give us some insight into the genesis of this album and some of the inspiration behind it?
Eric Sharp: Thanks Josh! There are a number of things that went into putting this offering together. Emergence is a dual entendre for me. We are collectively coming out of a hibernation of sorts, and I wanted to speak to that. Also, it is a bit of me manifesting my own emergence as an artist. I’ve been DJing and releasing music for a long time, and am inspired to push past the ceilings that I have hit. This EP represents a big step forward for me in the quality of my production, which I hope will open new doors on my path. In terms of the inspiration for the songs themselves, I take that from my life experiences and everything that I come across — not just in terms of the sounds of artists I’m listening to but also in visual art I take in, time spent in nature, etc.
Josh Brooks: You have collaborated with three amazing vocalists on each of these new tracks, Doe Paoro, Laurent John and Zhao. Can you please take us through the thought process and planning you go through when choosing a particular vocalist to work with?
Eric Sharp: For me, the aspect of vocal collaborations happens organically. Maybe in the future I will seek out a particular vocalist for a track, but thus far it’s been more of coming into contact with someone who creatively inspires me, and looking for a touchpoint to do something together. For instance, Doe Paoro I met at one of my DJ sets years ago at School Night, and this was the project that made sense for her to work with me on. Zhao is an artist whom I write with consistently, and we’ve been friends since he moved to LA. Laurent John was just an industry introduction who I sent some demo ideas to.
Josh Brooks: For those that haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Eric Sharp DJ in person, trust me when I say he is one of the best. He knows how to read a room as good or better than anyone I know. How would you say your experience as a DJ over the years translates to your productions?
Eric Sharp: I love answering this question right now, because for this EP, my DJ experience plays a big role. The long answer is that when I first started making tracks, they were basically just DJ tools— a sample with some cool sounds and drums made for the dance floor. I got bored of that and decided to focus solely on creative expression without needing to make songs I would want to spin a couple of years in, and focused on making compositions that were melodically and harmonically interesting, as well as putting effort into becoming a strong songwriter. With the Emergence EP, I’m bringing those disparate explorations together, creating dance floor focused tracks that incorporate strong music theory and songwriting. So I think that now, more than ever, knowing what works on a dance floor is informing production decisions that I’m making.
Josh Brooks: When you sit down to make a track, what are some initial things you always do before getting started? Do you usually have something already in mind before you set out to start crafting the song?
Eric Sharp: For me, creating music is not formulaic whatsoever. There is nothing that I always do from a mechanical standpoint. I start at many different points— sometimes making drums, sometimes laying down a melody or chord progression that is floating around in my head, sometimes with a bassline. Sometimes I even start from a vocal if I have something from a session that I previously scrapped the track on. I guess if there is anything that I do consistently, it is to breathe and center myself, so that creativity can flow through me unrestricted without judgment of the process.
Josh Brooks: Can you tell us more about when you started writing/producing music - and what or who were your early passions and influences? What is it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?
Eric Sharp: I started producing house music in 2008. My influences came from the records I was playing in my sets. I remember being really inspired by Green Velvet/Cajmere, Armand Van Helden, Roy Davis Jr, Thomas Bangaltar and also the unorthodoxy of Dubsided Records— Switch, Jesse Rose, DJ Fame, Sinden and Herve. I’ve always had a deep affinity for music, and was constantly listening to music in headphones as a kid. When I got exposed to dance music from the early ravers in my high school, I fell in love immediately. I got really into dancing all night at raves, and it was such a positive experience for me that eventually I wanted to create that for others, which is what has driven me to DJ and make music and throw parties all of these years.
Josh Brooks: Tell us more about you. We know you are in Los Angeles now, but where did you grow up? How did you end up here if you are not originally from LA, and how did the culture of your upbringing lead you to where you are today musically?
Eric Sharp: I grew up in Massachusetts, about 20 to 30 minutes west of Boston. I bounced around a bit for college, and then moved to San Francisco after I graduated. That’s where my foray into the music business began. After living there for nine years, the city was changing a lot due to web 2.0 dollars, and I felt that I was stuck at a plateau. I had visited LA a few times and loved the weather, the scene, and the lifestyle here, so it was a logical next step - plus my work in SF had given me a bit of cache with some of the people running events and venues here. In terms of my upbringing, I would say that being a part of the New England rave scene in the late 1990s exposed me to a lot of artists who still inspire and influence me today, and gave me a great foundation to grow from.
Josh Brooks: You have done a good job of making a name for yourself here in the Los Angeles techno scene, which is no easy feat. What have been some of the challenges and hurdles you have had to overcome along the way?
Eric Sharp: Thanks! I think some challenges are unique to me, and some are more universal. The fact that I live a sober lifestyle is a hurdle, because so much networking happens over shared experiences with drugs and alcohol. There is a level of nepotism in dance music that can be really maddening at times, which I’m sure you’ve experienced too, and I’ve had to build a myriad of relationships to break into certain circles and spaces. Also the fact that I’m competing with people who don’t rely on performing as a source of income, and are thus willing to play for cheap or free, means that I have to bring a lot of value to the table to justify my worth beyond just being great at making people dance. I’ve also had to learn a ton about music marketing in order to stand out from the pack, as the scene has become completely saturated with aspiring DJs and producers.
Like Water - Eric Sharp x Doe Paoro
Josh Brooks: Our industry is constantly going through changes, and we as artists are competing for ears with so many others out there. On the flip, listeners are bombarded and overwhelmed with the amount of music out there. How do you try to connect with your audience, and what do you feel helps you stay relevant?
Eric Sharp: Honestly, the biggest thing is simply being authentic and vulnerable. That is difficult for me given some things I experienced through childhood, but pushing through the fear and shame has been so rewarding. Showing my personality through my music and my content has set me apart from my peers and resulted in people wanting to devote time, energy and attention to my project. In terms of staying relevant, just consistent personal and artistic growth keeps things from getting stale for me.
Josh Brooks: Mental health can be a major struggle with musicians. You have always been such a giving member of this community since I met you. Taking time out of your day to make sure those around you are doing ok, myself included. In the wake of the current pandemic, what are some ways you are practicing self-care? What advice would you give to fans experiencing anxiety and mental struggles through this time?
Eric Sharp: I have a disciplined practice around self-care personally. I lift weights five days a week at the gym, and do some cardio to take care of my physical well-being. I have a therapist who I meet with every other week. I have a strong support network inside and outside of music who I can lean on. I also spend time out in nature, leaving the rat race behind. I make room for time off, where I don’t even think about my career. I pursue interests outside of music that help me enjoy my life. For anyone experiencing struggles, know that you are not alone. There is a lot to be anxious about right now in the world— we are going through a lot. Ask for help, there are so many resources available to support you.
The Gift - Eric Sharp x Zhao
Josh Brooks: If you could have your pick and money, time etc. were no object, who are some of your favorite producers right now that you’d want to have a go at reworking/ remixing your tracks on this latest EP?
Eric Sharp: I love this question! CamelPhat, Rufus Du Sol, Eelke Kleijn, Luttrell, Kidnap and Sasha are among my favorite remixers that I’d love to hire if money were no object.
Josh Brooks: Outside of music, what other passions and creative outputs do you have? What are some that you’d love to add to your mental vocabulary?
Eric Sharp: I write poetry purely for expression. I’m super passionate about physical fitness and mental health, as well as sustainability. I enjoy traveling a ton, too, as it gives me different perspectives and approaches to life. I know this is super basic, but I grew up as an athletic kid, so I still enjoy watching sports. I love thought-provoking films and books too. In terms of outlets I’d love to add, I have an adrenaline junkie streak, and I’d like to explore cliff jumping, zip lining, things of that nature. I jumped out of an airplane once and it was wild.
Josh Brooks: Is there anything else coming up in your world that we should know or you want to tell us about that we should be keeping an eye/ ear out for?
Eric Sharp: Yeah I have an arsenal of music that I’ve been building up as my production skills have grown. I will not be taking any more yearlong breaks from releases, you can expect consistent output from me going forward. There are also some new things brewing in LA that I can’t speak about fully yet, but I think everyone will be stoked when the cat gets out of the bag. Also as usual I’ll be soundtracking some pool party shenanigans throughout the summer months. Good times ahead!
Thank you so much for this opportunity. You are such an important part of this Los Angeles Music Community, and it is always a pleasure to have your contributions to our series. Congrats again on the EP and we can’t wait to hear what comes next. Cheers!!
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