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I met Erica at local songwriters showcase in May. She stood out of the crowd.
Erica is one of the best singer-songwriters to come from Canada. It must be something in the water up there because Canada produces an awesome number of talented artists each year. Erica is the newest member of that club. Listening to her music is a pleasant experience. She has a way of looking at the world and turning it into her own musical journey. If Erica is playing in your part of the country be sure to buy tickets and enjoy the show!
Kelly Dunn: I hear you are a massage therapist and acupuncturist?
Erica Knight : That's my day gig! (Laughter). From a young age I had an interest in natural healing, and when I was finished with my travels I went to College.
Kelly Dunn: Excellent, what kind of College is this?
Erica Knight : These are private, specialty colleges for massage therapy, it's a two year program. Once you graduate, you have to do board exams to become certified.
Kelly Dunn: So you passed on the first try?
Erica Knight : Yes! I studied very hard for two years. I didn't play guitar too much during that time! (Laughter)
Kelly Dunn: Does your therapy job help you with songwriting ideas?
Erica Knight : No. I go into to work about a half-hour early just to prepare myself for the client that is coming in before I put my hands onto them. I usually work with them for about an hour. Once your hands are on that person it’s important to clear your mind of all other thoughts because any distractions will be transferred through your hands. My clients always leave feeling so much better after their treatment. I whole-heartedly treat everyone the same. Songwriting is the same way; you clear your mind, and just go with it. I know everyone has their own approach. I had an experience out West when I was busking...
Kelly Dunn: What is "busking"?
Erica Knight : You know, someone that is a street entertainer for tips. You never heard of this?
Kelly Dunn: Never! (Laugher)
Erica Knight : While I was busking an older gentlemen was trying to help me to project my voice. He taught me how to sing, energetically, beyond the ten, twenty, thousand people in the room. You sing beyond the room as if no walls exist. I've had a lot of people tell me there's like this little cloud around me and a spell is cast upon them while I perform. I don't know what it is. I try to reach everything and everyone. I'm definitely very emotional when I perform. My boyfriend can tell when the energy is there or is not quite there; he tells me.
Kelly Dunn: What new songs are you working on today?
Erica Knight : I have a new CD that I released in February. It started out as a three-song demo. But every time I went back to the studio we kept adding songs. We ended up with seven songs!
Kelly Dunn: Do you perform out a lot?
Erica Knight : I usually go out and do the singer-songwriter showcases. I like the in-the-round where you get other songwriters playing too. Next, year I will likely try to play more festivals.
Kelly Dunn: That's a full-time job! (Laughter)
Erica Knight : I have a great person behind the scenes that supports everything I do and takes care of the business end for me. I need someone to do all that, you know what I mean; website, photography, promo, etc. His name is Kelly. That's a great guy name! (Laughter)
Kelly Dunn: Where do you record your music?
Erica Knight : I recorded at Frequency Studio in Cambridge, Ontario. Terry Rocha, the owner, is really fantastic. I met him at one of my gigs and he gave me his card. He said he has never recorded a female vocalist. I was like, right! How many times have I heard this. I'll be going back there once I get my new songs finished. Terry is really laid back and easy to work with. Many of my friends are now using his services and they have the same great experience!
Kelly Dunn: So, what's your favorite song you've written so far?
Erica Knight : "When You Go" it's the last track of the CD. That's also the title of the album.
Kelly Dunn: Is this a co-write?
Erica Knight : No, I wrote all the parts. When it comes to writing I just feel what’s inside. Don't analyze it and just let it come out. I love to daydream.
Kelly Dunn: Did you get in trouble in school for daydreaming?
Erica Knight : Ever since I was a kid I always got in trouble for daydreaming. There was always a comment on my report card about daydreaming in class. (Laughter)
Kelly Dunn: There's nothing wrong with that! Is the rest of your family creative too?
Erica Knight : I found out a few years ago that my mother was an artist. But my grandparents wouldn’t allow her to go to art school. So they sent her to business school instead.
Kelly Dunn: I find it very easy speaking with you!
Erica Knight : I live to talk to people, I really do! More so one on one conversation, not in groups of people where I turn into a church mouse. I tend to get a little Shy!
Kelly Dunn: Where'd you grow up?
Erica Knight : I grew up in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada but I live in Kitchener, Ontario.
Kelly Dunn: Do you get to the States to perform?
Erica Knight : Not too much now but I used to travel to see the Grateful Dead. I was a Dead Head (Laughter) I'd sleep in the desert, I did whatever and got it out of my system.
Kelly Dunn: All the time?
Erica Knight : I'd travel about a month, month and a half, work some crappy job and then go back on the road. I have been to Colorado, The Carolina's, Texas, California, and Tennessee. I've been to New York with friends to see Neil Young. We had some backstage passes. That was great. I lived in Vancouver for a while.
Kelly Dunn: Did you like Vancouver?
Erica Knight : Yes! I worked during the day, then headed to beach after work. It was great!
Kelly Dunn: Did you play your guitar on the beach?
Erica Knight : Yes, sometimes late at night. I think when people look at my picture they would never know what I've done in life. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen, you can't control everything. People are people.
Kelly Dunn: Are you recording a new CD right now?
Erica Knight : I'm working on new songs. The energy that went into getting the last CD out and ready for the CD party was overwhelming. After the CD release party I really crashed. I didn't pick up my guitar for a month. I was just spent. But, now I’m back to playing guitar.
Kelly Dunn: How do you write songs, how do the ideas come to you...
Erica Knight : Sometimes I have a vision in my head like a movie, what it would be like to be in that situation, and then it happens! It's like I'm tapping into the universal consciousness. I love it!
Kelly Dunn: What kind of guitars do own and play...
Erica Knight : I started of with a "Seagull" a Canadian made guitar. About a year ago someone fell on it at a party. I now have a "BreedLove". The guys from Taylor guitar started up a custom guitar branch. I paid close to $4,000 for it. It's probably worth more than my car! (Laughter). When shopping for a new guitar I wasn't really going by price but by sound and feel, and when I plugged in the BreedLove I fell in love. The sound just wraps around while you play. I also have two Martin's. One is a small body, little traveling guitar. The other is a mid-sized that is a nice writing guitar.
Kelly Dunn: Where did you buy your BreedLove?
Erica Knight : It's a chain store called, "Long and McQuade". I've been going in there since I was 17 years old.
Kelly Dunn: I know you have to go; it's been a great pleasure to meet you.
Erica Knight: Kelly, it's been a great pleasure, thanks for having me here today. Be sure to tell everyone hello at SongwriterPro.com!
ww.EricaKnight.com
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