Queerying Eric Himan: The Music Maker

My boyfriend was listening to his headphones one evening on the computer and he really seemed to be enjoying the music. It happened to be one of those lazy evenings when you just get some much needed downtime together. Eventually, he looked over at me as I was reading and said you should hear this guy sing. So he turns up the speakers and comes over to lay his head on my lap on the couch and we listen for a long time.
This gorgeous-masculine voice singing songs that touch every area of the GLBT community. His cathartic muse with notes was soothing and yet very alive. My entire family is music oriented and we all play instruments being connoisseurs of vast genres of music so, interested in the voice singing, we listened and just enjoyed the time spent having someone speak our language.
If you took Toad The Wet Sprocket, Hootie, Coban, Tori Amos, Jewel and Jefferson Airplane’s talent and mixed it in a blender, you have Eric Himan. This man of song, gay and very handsome, reaches out to the GLBT community through music. His words speak to the soul. Souls damaged by society, government, fear, shame, guilt and hope. He speaks our language because he lives our lives. He knows us intimately because he is one of us. He doesn’t sell out to the big labels who will censor his path of music and audience.
I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being biased on my view of him because he is a gay artist, so without them knowing, I tested my theory on three 19 yr olds. Two are gay, one is straight and one being my son, one being my brother and one being the bf of my brother. I had them listen to his music and they loved him. My son and brother are both musicians and found his music to be “modern with an old style to it” the other commented “this guy has soul.”
We then talked about how he is a gay artist and how his songs reach out to the GLBT community and most importantly to the youth who are currently going through what this man and men our age have dealt with. He sings of experience, he sings with passionate understanding of what being gay and afraid, hurt, abused and in love means in our world. I implore every person to listen to this artist. I especially hope the youth take note of this mans talent and listen to his music. Eric, is an all-around good man. He reaches out to his fans and draws inspiration from them and what we face daily.
I was once told, “You know your music is important when it touches another soul enough to make them feel the passion within the music.” Eric’s music not only makes you feel the passion within the music, but reminds you why it’s important we (GLBT) are here.
(Biography Via Eric Himan’s MySpace)
Eric Himan doesn’t like to stay in one place for long. Call it boredom, ADD or just plain old desire, but after just a few days of loitering the road beckons for Eric like an old friend to whom he credits his success as a musician. So he spends more time in his trusty minivan, speeding off to his next tour date in Anytown, USA than relaxing at home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its a testament to Eric’s passion for music and for entertaining fans that few musicians have the stamina to maintain. Eric says, “Being in one place seems like I’m at a stand still. Being on the road allows me time to think, do a lot of planning, reflecting and finding ways to push myself to go further. Constantly moving has always been more successful for me.”

Eric has come a long way in the six short years since his humble beginning entertaining crowds in colleges near his alma mater, Penn State University, but his love affair with the nomadic life began much earlier when he plucked his first guitar string or struck a chord. While Eric lives by the motto “Don’t ask me where I’m from, ask me where I’m going,” his past has much to do with the life he now pursues with great fervor. Growing up with a father in the military, Eric constantly relocated, shuffling through cities and states without enough time to put down serious roots. It was then that Eric first found comfort in the roads traveled and sought solace in the music of Black Crowes, Ani DiFranco, Richie Havens, and Patty Griffin whose styles have influenced Eric’s own songwriting. It wasn’t until he attended Penn State University that he picked up a guitar and became a coffee shop crooner.
Eric released his debut CD and founded his own independent label, Thumbcrown Records. He quickly gained a “cult” following and broke from the idea of being a small-town act, for his unique sound that transgressed genres as he penned songs that dabbled in Blues, Folk, Pop, Blue Grass, Country, and Rock all served up with a pinch of wit and charm. Eric has shared the stage with Cyndi Lauper, India Arie, Ru Paul, En Vogue, Duncan Sheik, Melissa Ferrick, and many more, but it isn’t just the music that keeps audiences coming back for more. His shows are not about theatrics and superstardom, instead, his shows are intimate and fans cant help but feel as though their best friend is onstage. Eric forges personal relationships with many of his fans with his disarming charm and approachability.
Eric releases his fifth studio album, Everywhere All At Once, which was written entirely while touring, he hits the road for another string of tour dates throughout the country. Audiences will notice a different sound than his previous collections of music, for Eric considers this release to be his “most personal” to date. Eric states, “This CD is more like me, I was able to say what I wanted while being honest about my feelings. Instead of trying to tell myself what my feelings were. Whether its happy, sad or confused. I feel like I grew as a songwriter.” While Everywhere All at Once is a CD about love, it strays from the narratives of grieving over lost loves that proliferate the ballads of many artists and celebrates love in its various forms. It is with this perspective that Eric reveals his most personal thoughts about the struggles that he and those near to him have faced with romantic relationships, familial love, breast cancer, homophobia, and surviving Hurricane Katrina, an event that hit close to home for Eric who endured the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Over the past six years, fans have been granted the unique opportunity to hear Eric mature as a songwriter and as a man through his music. Everywhere All At Once is the closest thing to a testament to Eric’s “coming of age” that listeners will get, for it shows that Eric’s ever-evolving style has achieved a maturity that is sure to entice the most cynical of listeners and secure his position as a driving force as an independent artist. Eric’s past begs his favorite question, where is he going? The answer is obvious for anyone who shares Eric’s obsession with passion, growth and love; Everywhere All At Once.
Eric, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy touring schedule to do this interview. I and my entire family have now become some of your biggest fans.

Thanks for writing and thanks to the family for listening! Good to talk to you.

I, for one, appreciate having a talented-gay artist out there beating the roads and blazing the path for our community. When did you first realize you were gay and what was that like for your childhood?

I think I realized early on, of course, but I think it wasn’t sexual until later on. I knew I liked being around the boys but didn’t know why. Then you hit adolescence and it scares the crap out of you because then you realize why. My childhood was very good. My parents never forced masculine roles on me and feminine on my sister. We could explore what we wanted. I thank them for that.

Tell us about your first boyfriend…

I don’t know if this counts because it wasn’t sexual, but I used to hang out with this guy on the wrestling team in high school. We both liked music and hung around each other twenty four seven. Once our schedules were different and filled up our time, we lost touch. I consider that to be my first boyfriend whether he knows he was or not, ha!

Are you currently single or dating? We want details music man… I saw the ring on the finger:):)

I am partnered, I guess you could say. But, that word sounds so business like to me, partnered. A friend of mine in Florida said it best, we are happily attached. We did exchange rings. I guess when you legally can’t do much else, more the reason to make up your own rules:).

Are you very close with your family? Any siblings?

I am close with my family. My mom and sister passed away when I was young and my grandparents moved in when I was four. A lot of love came out of personal tragedy. I do have a sister I am close with and she knows more gay men than I do!

The tatts; very cute, sexy even. Why so many?

They are addictive!! Two arms and a chest full of them later, I think I am done. Maybe.

What are some of your favorite cities to play? Why?

I love all the cities I play!! ha. I do have my personal favorites. I love Newport, Rhode Island. It is great in the summer. I love the big cities ie New York City, San Fran, San Diego. I do have a special place in my heart for Tulsa, OK though. That is where I met my unlawfully wedded man.

What are 3 of your biggest fears?

I am not a big fan of flying these days with all the pandemonium so that is one. Fear of failure never seems to go away but tends to motivate. A fear of getting bit by a bee. MAN, that hurt once.

Touring all the time it must be hard to have roots. Do you have close friends? How do they impact your life?

I am lucky to have and make friends all over the country. They keep me rooted more than anything and make it possible to travel with a safety net. Sleeping on couches and tour guiding me through their towns. Without my friends, I am just a guy with a guitar singing in the shower.

The world for GLBT people keeps changing on a dime, everyday new challenges and obstacles, government policies and discrimination…What do you say to the teenagers, the youth, to help them find hope in tomorrow?

I say to the GLBT youth, get as much information that is out there on GLBT issues. Keep your eyes and ears open for changes whether they be socially or politically charged. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to stand up to those who discriminate.

You obviously have overcome a lot in your life which shows lyrically in your music. How has your history developed and correlated with your music and passion?

Wow, I think anyone who listens to all my cds can hear the difference in each one. I have grown in many ways. I started writing in high school and through college from 16-23. Now the songs I wrote are from such a different place from a 27 year olds perspective. I write from my point of view most times and it is usually about feelings I feel alone in. I put it out there whether I’m scared or not. The best thing that keeps me passionate about playing music is putting those feelings out and having someone say, “I felt like I was the only one who felt that way”. The best is when I say it back to them! I love making those connections.

How does Eric plan to make a difference in the world?

By telling my story. By sharing my thoughts. That is something we all can do. We get bogged down with these social rules and game playing. Being honest about your struggles and life can teach someone about their struggles and life. You find that happening a lot in folk music throughout history.

You played at the closing ceremonies of the Gay Games. You met and sang on the same stage as Cyndi Lauper, what was that whole experience like for you?

It was amazing. It was the largest captive audience I ever played for. Then you look over and see Cyndi Lauper and go, Holy Crap! It makes you trust life more and the where it takes you. I never thought I would be up there with her at Wrigley Field…Crazy AND to see all the athletes out there filling up a stadium for a gay event was incredible. It was great just to be part of it!

What do you find attractive, sexy and appealing in a man?

Honesty, first and foremost, and eyes. They go hand in hand. Looking into someone’s eyes sometimes tells more than their words. They have to have charm. It’s hard to explain but you know it when you find it.

Is Eric Himan a good boy or a naughty boy?

I am a good boy. What’s wrong with good boys? ha. My tattoos usually make me out to be a bad boy but if you look closer, you will see they are upbeat cartoons and even a poem by Langston Hughes. It’s all about the closer look.

Which of your songs draw the most emotion and passion from you? Why?

My new cd, Everywhere All At Once, has a few songs that are very emotive. One of which is the song, “What I Can Give”. I wrote it for my significant other’s mother. She is going through breast cancer for the second time. She is an amazing woman who is always smiling. I had this sweet, lullaby of a melody that just made me think of her and what I wanted her to know. That song can choke me up in some places. Here are the words:
I wish I had a song to sing for you
to gather the strength that each day must take to go through what you do.
so many things we take for granted too easily
one day it hits, reminds us the courage it takes not to quit..
I could offer ten thousand tears, a field of white daffodils
with these things what could you do?
But this is what I can give to you..
This is what I can give to you.
May not be much, you’ve been through enough
just know it is me, you have touched.

3 things that have impacted your career and music the most?

Three things that impacted my career the most…hmm. My father, for giving me my first guitar and letting me find my sound in my own time. Ani DiFranco, for showing me that you can not only talk openly about GLBT issues in a poetic way but also start your own independent label and be successful at it. Last, my friends for coming out and supporting me where ever I played no matter if anyone knew who I was or not. I love them.

What celebrities/musicians make you go wow, now he is HOT? Why?

Haha…I don’t find many celebrities hot. I used to think Matthew McConaughey
was hot, the big smile, the charisma. He just has charm, but after seeing him so much, you get desensitized. Instead of “Wow, he looks hot!” I go, “Hey, that’s Matthew McConaughey.” Though, as a youngster, I did have a thing for Patrick Dempsey when he was in “Loverboy”(anyone remember that movie?!). I still think he is great now in Grey’s Anatomy for the same reasons, lots of charm.

What is your biggest dream?

To get the chance to play alongside some of my musical influences. I think that is a dream of many musicians. To get that opportunity would be tremendous.

3 things most people do not know about me…

Hmm…. You spend so much time throwing yourself out there in your music, what haven’t I told people? ha. Well, again, I am a good guy not a bad boy, I will watch movies over and over again ie. Party Girl (which pisses off some of my friends), and I am a workaholic. I am lucky that my work is also my play. So i guess that makes me a playaholic.

If I could change two things in the history of the world they would be?

I would change laws that discriminate especially those against GLBT issues, of course, and I would change the way the media dictates how the public should look. A big problem in our world (especially with gay male and women) is image. Lots of money is spent on making yourself look like somebody else, whether you have the ability or not. We should embrace who we see in the mirror, flaws and all.

The last time you cried was…

When I drove away from Tulsa to go back on the road last December. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw my boyfriend waving goodbye. I wrote a song about it all the way home to Pittsburgh appropriately titled, “Tulsa”.

The most beautiful song ever written is?

This is going back a ways but “Hands To Heaven” by Breathe is still one of the most beautiful sounding songs to me. “Fool That I Am” by Etta James. And oh! “I Love You, Porgy” by Nina Simone.

A night alone finds Eric doing what?

Well, a night to myself and alone is rare so it would be singing in my room playing guitar with one lamp on, listening to some Nina or Etta, and a piece of paper to write down lyrics.

The most romantic moment of your life has been?

Asking my happily attached partner to marry me. We were under a streetlamp in a downtown area out in public. I was in town for a short time and I didn’t know when I was going to be back to see him so I got down on one knee and asked him right there. It was not only romantic but one of the most important parts of my life thus far.

Do you dream of having a husband and children one day?

Well, as of the last question, I feel somewhat halfway there. As for children, I would love to raise a child in this world. I don’t know when it will happen but I am sure it will. My unlawfully wedded husband has a baby face so I can see him producing some cute kids too.

Famous last interview question in all QC interviews. Eric what makes you CLICK?

Coffee in the early morning, seeing a crowd and focusing on one person and looking them in the eye making a connection, kisses from my love, an acoustic guitar with loose strings, an echoing stairwell to sing my lungs out, and a smile from a new friend.

I would like to thank Eric for his time. The middle of touring is hectic and he took time out for QC. My order for 7 cd’s went out yesterday. Get your copies soon this man is going straight to the top. Eric I’ll see you at your show in Pittsburgh on Sept 26th.
To find out more about Eric Himan’s music and tour schedule check him out on his website