Erin Greider Interview
Los Angeles' very own Erin Greider invites you into her most intimate musical realm with the release of her new single, "Pockets". This piano-driven ballad delves into the intricacies of vulnerability and the lingering ache of regret. Erin sat down with us to talk about her background, her artistry and new release.
You started writing songs at a very young age. Can you share a bit more about your earliest memories of creating music and what sparked that interest?
My childhood friend’s dad was in a garage band. I thought the idea of being in a band was so rad and she and I started writing songs together. Writing and performing them for my parents became my favorite thing so I just kept with it. When I was in 7th grade, my mom forced me to show my vocal coach one of my songs. He and I then started writing together. To have someone who was older and successful see any value in writing with me gave me so much confidence. Writing has always been the thing that’s been there for me and no one can take it away.
-Your musical journey involves playing various instruments, starting with the guitar inspired by Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday. How did your choice of instruments evolve over the years and what drew you to the bass as your favorite and main instrument?
Yes, I started guitar when I was around 7 years old because I wanted to shred like Logan’s character haha. From there I picked up piano, drums, and then finally bass. I’m not exactly sure why but bass was always the instrument I wanted to learn. I think it’s the heart of a song and the sound is soothing to me. Without bass, a song definitely feels like it’s missing something even if it’s not front and center.
- You began working with producers and recording songs in 8th grade. How has your approach to songwriting evolved since then, especially considering you started so young?
I’m not sure that my approach has changed at all actually. I’ve never sat down to write a song, I have to wait for it to come to me (as pretentious as that might sound). I know for a lot of people writing is cathartic. They feel a certain way so they write about it. I’m the opposite. A song comes and I kind of have to go backwards and look to see why it came out of my brain. This philosophy of writing was definitely born out of impatience and laziness from when I was little but now I’m very protective of it. There’s no better feeling for me than when a song comes out of nowhere and I never want that to go away.
- While studying film and economics at university, music took a bit of a backseat until 2020. How did your background in film and economics influence your approach to music and what prompted you to revisit it in 2020?
Film has always been my other passion. I go to the movie theatre at least twice a week, it’s my #1 form of self-care. Films often influence my songwriting, whether it’s direct references in lyrics or overall moods and themes. When I’m in the studio, I reference films as often as I do other songs/musicians. I’m always looking for ways to combine music and film. I only added economics as a double major for fun haha.
I think songwriting made a major comeback for me in 2020 because when Covid hit, I had way too much time on my hands so I had nothing to do but sit in my feelings. I think it was the first time I got to really process emotions and experiences from the past few years and my brain translated that into my first album “Sim Controllers”.
- Your new single "Pockets" marks a departure from your signature pop-rock vibe. What motivated this shift and what did you want to achieve with this new sound?
I always write all my songs on the piano but usually it quickly turns into a pop-rock/power trio song. For “Pockets”, it felt right to stick with the piano as the base and really keep it stripped back. This song is the first time I’m really expressing regret about a relationship and admitting how much I actually care. The lyrics are very vulnerable so it made sense to my producer Topher and me to keep the track delicate and bare so the lyrics really punch through.
- After the release of "Pockets", what can listeners expect from your future musical journey? Are there specific themes or styles you're eager to explore in your upcoming work?
So many exciting things coming up! I’m working on finishing up my sophomore album that I couldn’t be more stoked about. It explores so many different situations and relationships that I think a lot of my people my age go through. It builds on my previous work but is more mature, vulnerable, and well-rounded. Like I said earlier, I’m also always looking to combine music and film and I think this year will be a big push for that.
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