Jacqueline Jax: What are three things that would surprise us to know about you?
Eric Muniz: First of all, I would like to thank AVA Live Radio and host Jacqueline Jax, for the opportunity to share my music and my story with the AVA Live Radio listeners. I traveled the internet over the years, and I never found such a warm and cozy place like AVA Live Radio. This is a musicians paradise. My name is Eric Muniz, and the first thing that I think would be surprising, is that as a child I was not allowed to listen to the radio or watch television at home…I grew up on evangelical church music until I was about 17. At 17, I left home and started to listen to the “Devils” music, which I really took a liking to…lol. Second, I love to listen to melancholic, bitter sweet, and depressive music, because I feel that this kind of music is the most healing…some music forces us to deal with unresolved issues. And Third, I’m an insomniac. I can’t sleep at night. The ghost of the past can rob us from many things, including our sleep. At night is when I write most of my songs. The voices quiet down at around 4 am.
Jacqueline: How do you feel about the music business today?
Eric: I think that the music business is going through a positive change currently, and will continue to do so. It will take us a while to come to the realization that all the changes are actually going to make things better for all musicians. Just look at what a “Do It Yourself” musician can do today compared to what was possible a few years ago. Today musicians have access to social media networks, distribution channels, and the internet with all of its content, information and possibilities. A shift has occurred and now musician can take control of their own music careers instead of waiting for a record company to come along and do everything for them. Now we, the musicians, have the power to brand ourselves and to go out and connect with the people on the streets and the world wide web simultaneously. Today we have access to Reverbnation, Myspace, and Facebook, among many other choices. We have internet platforms such as AVA Live Radio, where we have access to free and valuable resources and information, internet air play, etc. I could just go on and on. We have it all. All a musician has to do is to get the knowledge and make the time to learn and to get involved. It’s not easy, but it can be done. I myself have so much more to learn, and so much more to do, but I’m doing it little by little; one step at a time.
Jacqueline: Name three words that best describe you and why?
Eric: Eclectic- As a person and musically I derive myself from many sources. I find interest and beauty in almost anything and anyone. I don’t like boxes.
Introverted- I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I just need time for myself everyday to be alone in a quiet place where I can hear myself think. But if you met me in person you would think the opposite.
Kind- I truly care about those around me. Seeing others suffer bothers me. I believe that we live in a creative plain and not a competitive one, but many fail to see this. If we are creative enough we can then solve most of the worlds problems, including our own. There are healthy ways to compete. There is plenty to go around. Even in sports, the most creative players and teams always prevail.
Jacqueline: Who was the single most influential person in your music journey so far?
Eric: This is a tough question to answer. There have been so many people that influence us in on way or another along the way. Two really stand out. My mother, who really enjoyed singing in church really influenced me. An older gentleman by the name of Ruben was also one of the most influential persons for me. He was the one who took the time to teach me how to play the guitar, and watching him play the guitar and sing in front of the pulpit motivated me to want to do the same. Years later, when about 18 years old, I started to be influenced by mainstream musicians such as Micheal Jackson, Elton John, Kenny Rogers, The Police, among many others.
www.ericmuniz.com
