We recently had the opportunity to chat to a bunch of bands from the Rogue PR label. Our latest one was with Eric Gynan, co-founder of Boston, USA rock band Leaving Eden where we found about their work with Grammy award-winners, epic tours and lessons on stage presence from some of the greats.
Interview by Jane Howkins
How is 2019 treating you so far?
Yes it’s been an epic year! New Album, making a movie, got our music in movies, lots of shows, ya man it’s been really fun, lots of work but the fun kind.
Have you released any music so far this year? If so, what can you tell us about that?
We have just released our newest album The Agony of Affliction released by Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal Music Group. The title track will be in Massimiliano Cerchi’s movie Lockdown starring Michael Pare (The Philadelphia Experiment, Eddie and the Cruisers).
We are excited about this new album not only because of the production value but the entire album will also be featured in a new fake reality comedy movie titled The Nitwit
Originally I had written this movie script loosely based on real life events with the intention of having Leaving Eden’s music throughout the movie and procuring other pros to make the movie. Where Leaving Eden has been involved with having our music placed in different movies and TV series this simply made sense. While in Iowa after wrapping up on a shoot I sat down with Ray Van Blarcom and Matt Moody “production crew” over a scotch and threw the script down on the table. They started reading it, thought it was hilarious so we decided let’s make the movie. For me being the director of several music videos it was a very simple transition to direct The Nitwit. Finally, I was intrigued by Matt Moody’s experience not only in production but as an actor. Ironically Matt fit the leading role as The Nitwit perfectly then he also brought in Jordan Smith as his costar and the rest is history. We expect the movie to be released in 2020 by SGL Entertainment.
Are you working on any new music at the moment? What are you working on, and when will it be released?
Yes we started our next album. We’ve been recording our last couple albums right here in Leaving Eden’s recording studio. Once we’ve recorded everything, I do the first mix and then send it out for final mix and mastering. Last two albums went out to Grammy award-winning engineer Bob St John (Steven Tyler, Extreme, Collective soul, Duran Duran). Our next album will be going out to our good friend Grammy award-winning engineer Johnny K. (Disturbed, Finger 11, 3 Doors Down, Staind, Mega Death, Plain white T’s, Pop Evil, Sevendust, Adelitas Way) and Grammy award-winning Mastering Engineer Brad Blackwood (Maroon 5, Sevendust, Dave Mathews, Fuel, Lamb of God, Adelitas way). They both did our Out of The Ashes album.
Have you got any upcoming tours planned? If so, where are you playing and where are you looking forward to going most?
Leaving Eden has toured the USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; Lacuna Coil, In This Moment, Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell)… and many more. Can check our tour dates here.
We will be heading down south East coast run in March. We were supposed to head out in October but we had too many regional shows for that to make sense.
Who/what has influenced you the most as musicians?
Really playing with bands like Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown, Alice in Chains, Alice Cooper, Nickelback, Black Sabbath, bands like that have definitely helped to influence us in terms of what the possibilities are, the professionalism as far as doing the job touring, getting on and off the stage efficiently, and interacting with the crowd, stuff like that.
What have you been listening to recently that you can recommend to our readers?
Honestly we’ve been so busy that I really haven’t had a chance to be listening to anything new lately. Most radio stations are playing classic hits.
Why do you think people should pick up one of your records or come and see you live, and what can people expect from one of your shows?
Great question! I think our records are crafted beautifully, we put a lot of work and effort in both the music and the actual artwork. We have a common theme throughout all of our albums on the album covers picturing Eve our lead vocalist as this kind of superhuman figure. Battling between good and evil as we all do as human beings. We use Grammy award-winning engineers so the production quality is excellent. We use incredible artists. I think we really Spare nothing when it comes to releasing an album. People can expect to be dazzled by Eve our leave vocalists, she’s really second to none when it comes to entertaining and sharing the energy with the crowd. I always say leaving Eden is best seen and heard live.
Any last words for the fans?
Well I like to call them friends, so to our friends all around the world we are happy and grateful that you enjoy listening to Leaving Eden. We’re very pleased when friends come out to see us live it’s awesome. For more info on leaving Eden you can find everything you need at [our website.]
Leaving Eden is myself, Eric Gynan on guitars and vocals, “Eve”on lead vocals, Alyssa White on keyboards and vocals, Jake Gynan on drums and David Amato on bass and vocals.
Thanks much man great chatting with you here today, peace.