Erik Berglund Austin pianist and singer-songwriter, Erik Berglund, answers our questions. Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself... Erik: Originally, I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA, but I've been living in Austin, Texas for the last 5 years, the live music capital of the world (laughs). I've been writing pop songs for about 14 years, and I love it. Right now I'm working with a lyricist from the UK who writes some awesome love songs. I'm writing jazzy pop songs for female singers in the style of Norah Jones, and we hope to get some of them published. LB: How did you start out making music? Erik: I heard the song "Brown-Eyed Girl" in a movie when I was a teenager, and I immediately went home and listened to the oldies station for days to hear the song again. In the meantime, I started hearing songs by The Beatles, and I was hooked. I taught myself how to sing by singing along to the radio. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now? Erik: I grew up listening to The Beatles, classical, 60s pop hits, Alanis Morrisette, and Stevie Wonder. The Beatles' melodies were so powerful - that's what I try to do with my music, make the melodies jump out at you. They wrote really positive and uplifting material too, and I try to focus on that as well. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Erik: "Attractive" is a compilation of my all-time favorite recordings over the last 10 years, "Attractive" being the most recent song. There's a wide variety of styles featured on it, and you can also see how my singing has improved over the years (laughs). Some of the songs are with a band ("She Has a Light," "One Thing"), but most are solo. "Headed" is a live track from a show I played at a health food store a few years back. "Wilderbeast Reporter" chronicles my ridiculous experience in TV news. I didn't think any of the songs on this CD were noteworthy at the time I was writing them, but in hindsight, they were definitely my best. It's much easier to look at your work objectively after a few years have passed! LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Erik: They can expect a guy with a piano playing mellow, jazz pop in a cafe. I'll play some covers, "Close to You" by The Carpenters, "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney, but for the most part I'll do originals. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Erik: I love playing with a band and rocking out. It is great to get all your emotions out in the open and serve others with your talents. With recording, I enjoy the meticulous process of perfecting the track while also being open to the spontaneous ideas that often pop up. I love the therapeutic aspect of playing music. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Erik: MySpace, and people can buy both “Attractive” and my “Live 2003” release on CD Baby www.myspace.com/erikberglundmusic Erik Berglund - “Attractive” Video