Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Quigley.
Eric, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Well, I think I always sang… my earliest memories are me with a cheap, orange microphone from the Toy Store that amplified your voice so minimally, it sounded like it was coming from the world’s smallest cave. I would sing along to a few select Disney movies, and whatever music my Dad would be playing in the car. I remember sitting on the living room sofa singing “Just Like You Said” by Seal to my Mom and Dad very passionately. I felt that shit.
Little league car rides were accompanied by early 2000’s David Bowie, Dark Side of the Moon (which I recognized as being so far beyond my years it spooked me), and other classic artists. A pivotal moment for me was at age 6 upon hearing Jim Morrison hit that first chorus in “Break on through to the Other Side”. That primal, animal aggression he had embedded into his upper range was so alien and exciting to me. I didn’t know you could do that; I didn’t know that was allowed.
In my early teens I picked up the electric guitar, and it took ditching the instructional books of the first year or two of lessons to get into it. Once I was learning proper rock riffs, I became very devoted.
Led Zep blew the lid of the thing and around 14 music went from a passion to an absolute obsession.
I often sang made up melodies and had a few corny songs with lyrics I made as a kid but around 15-16 with the discovery of Bob Dylan, I turned in the electric for an acoustic and started really focusing and progressing on being a songwriter.
I’ve more or less been there since. I moved to Chicago at 19, been gigging, working, creating songs and making albums since.
I front a heavier folk/rock band called One More Moon and also still play solo. I have releases under both.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a singer/songwriter who values singing and writing equally. What I create is founded in Folk/Blues/Country and Rock traditions. Van Morrison is as important to me as Radiohead & Townes Van Zandt sometimes can sing a little sweeter than Elvis Presley to my ear. They all hold a-lot of weight in what I do.
I think of my songs as little stories. Some have a more obvious narrative throughout, but all my songs have an arch that takes you from the first to last lyric. I try to make sure every line, and vocal inflection lends itself to reaching and sustaining the mood or energy of the piece, because they all inhabit a specific space. I don’t worry much about complexity, only about serving the tune.
I think I began writing songs out of a need to communicate the things that are impossible to say. I think that’s still the case. I don’t have any grand message, or political agenda, only an attempt at honest reflection. My songs are
an analysis of myself and my surroundings. My outlook and convictions are of course part of the package, but I do try to write in a way that has some universal accessibility. I don’t believe our experiences as people are as isolated as we think, so I hope that what I make can remind someone at least that they are not alone in facing their daily trials, the music closest to me has always done that.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
As a creator I define success as progress. If I don’t feel like I’m in a constant state of improvement in what I do, then I can get very discouraged and hard on myself. Every year I want to be a better singer/guitarist/writer and interpreter of songs than I was the year prior. Even if the momentum is subtle, I need to feel like I’m in a state of becoming.
As someone trying to do this for a living, I think success is learning to see and utilize the opportunities before you. I think it’s more difficult than ever to make money from art and music particularly right now and people are having to really think outside the box to sustain themselves. Compromise is huge and okay, learn the balance between your idealism/pride and reality. Go play some covers at a wedding or restaurant and make some cash, be grateful you can do that.
I believe the best artists are those that didn’t have a choice. It wasn’t between law school and painting, they didn’t take years off to focus on other pursuits. Their art was always their obsession and purpose. Unfortunately, I don’t think that commitment necessarily translates to financial success, and your Mom is going to worry, but I think those dedicated on that level can forge something that is truly their own, and great.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have all my music on Spotify, Google Play, BandCamp, YouTube and other major streaming services. You can look under One More Moon or Eric Quigley. There’s some old embarrassing stuff on there from years back, but that’s okay.
I mostly & happily play out with One More Moon. We’ve been playing in and around Chicago for about 3 years. Follow us on Facebook (website in the works) and come out to a show, we know how to have fun on stage and I think it’s contagious.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ericquigley.bandcamp.com/album/ghost-fumes & https://onemoremoon.bandcamp.com
- Phone: 6303731013
- Email: eric.quigley303@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quig303
- Facebook: facebook.com/onemoremoon & facebook.com/ericquigleymusic
- Other: https://www.divideandconquermusic.com/indie-music-album-reviews/eric-quigley-ghost-fumes
Image Credit:
Kayla Thorton
Lauren Rozewski
Michael Jeffrey Wille
Daniel Robbins
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
