ERIC VALENTINE INTERVIEW
June 2008
By Will Minting

Will: Hey Eric! We've been emailing for a few months for publicity of your jazz club gigs with my buddy Steve Weingart in Los Angeles. You have a very busy schedule!

Eric: Hey Will! Yeah man, since moving to L.A. 3 years ago. I've been blessed to be working a lot. It's a busy time for me and about to get crazier!

Will: Yes, I know that Steve Weingart values your friendship, he's always really upbeat when gigging with you. You, Weino and Carlitos often perform together in LA at the Baked Potato and La Ve Lee. You guys are one of the most solid rhythm sections in LA! Some might think that Luke's rock tour is a bit of a departure from your normal grooves.

Eric: Not really, I do a lot of gigs with a variety of artists, it's just for some reason if you play a particular style of music well, that it's assumed that's all you do.

Will: Exactly. Who are your other influences?

Eric: All of the greats! From Dennis Chambers, Vinnie, Neil Peart, Greg Bissonette, Jeff Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Steve Gadd, Michael White, Gerry Brown, Chad Smith, John Bonham...The list goes on...I found myself listen to anyone who was out there working...I never discriminate! Everyone has something unique to say musically. Mars Volta, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maroon 5 and a little bit of everyone. Being a professional musician, you have to keep your ears open.

Will: How long have you known Steve Lukather, and where did you meet him? Were you familiar with Toto or Luke's solo albums before now?

Eric: Not long, maybe six months or so. I was recommended to Luke through Steve Weingart. Yes, I am very familiar with Luke's material and Toto, how could you not be? So many classics.

Will: You'll have a riot on the road with Luke. It's a laugh a minute! Just one word of warning, if you take a camera with you on tour, don't leave it laying around or you might find that Luke has taken some photographs that you wouldn't want to put in the family photo album!

Eric: LOL. Yeah, we are having a ball in rehearsals, and I can tell that we are going to have a great time on the road.

Will: So you're learning a lot of Luke's old material? One of the cool things about this tour, apart from the new material from "Ever Changing Times", is that Luke hasn't played songs from his first solo album before. There'll be a lot of people really looking forward to hearing some of those songs.

Eric: I think that all of the fans will be very satisfied with our play list, a little bit of old and new. All of the music is definitely fun to play.

Will: Which songs have you had most fun learning from Ever Changing Times?

Eric: That's top secret information, LOL. But you'll definitely be able to tell which songs I've been enjoying!

Will: Right. You have played with an array of artists in many musical styles! I know you've worked with Joe Satriani. Please could you tell us about some of the more memorable gigs/tours, and recording sessions.

Eric: I guess I would say the most memorable would be working with the South African artist Jonathan Butler, I toured with him off and on for the past 7 years as his music director and played on numerous records. Of course the legendary singer Patti LaBelle, that was my first big tour. Steve Weingart, I can remember watching Dave Weckl videos and seeing Steve on them and saying wow this guy is amazing and now we're friends and we're playing together. Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Erikah Badu, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lobber and many others.

Will: That's some resume! And now Luke!

Eric: Yeah, I 'm so excited to play with such a legendary musician, i've learned so much already just in rehearsal working with him, it's going to be great!

Will: What else is happening in Eric's world? What other sessions have you performed recently?

Eric: Well, I have just finished working on a rock project with R&B/pop producer Tim Bailey (Tyros, Leela James and Rahsaan Patterson) and pop tav session singer Antonio Sol who is also the voice of "Dancing with the Stars," and it's definitely not your typical rock project. Me and Steve Weingart are working on project, but our schedules are so busy that we haven't found the time to finish it. And also my current record "Eric Valentine's Jazz Impressions". I'm playing drums, bass guitar and keyboards as well as producing There are many other things going on as well, but too many to say right now.

Will: Which drums are you using on Luke's tour?

Eric: I endorse Yamaha drums and I'll be using the Oak Customs. I am enjoying how the drums speak on rock music, but depending on the situation I'll switch from maple, birch or even beech. Yamaha makes really great drums and I proudly endorse them.

Will: And finally - how do you spend your time on the rare occasions you're not gigging, touring or recording?

Eric: Hmmm...I try to keep my schedule busy. There is always something that needs to be done. Honestly, most of my time is spent either preparing for shows, writing, producing. I'm even trying to find ways to get projects done while I am on the tour bus.

Will: Thanks for the interview, Eric. I'm looking forward to it.

Eric: Yeah man, I look forward to the hang, it's going to be a great run. I look forward to seeing all the great fans. Thanks so much.

For more information, visit: www.ericvalentine.net and www.myspace.com/ericvalentine01 and www.itunes.com

© Will Minting, June 2008
www.myspace.com/willminting