Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/ bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today, we’d like to introduce you to rockers Leaving Eden!
1. All superheroes and villains have an origin and a band is no different, minus the secret government experiments and radioactive spiders. What’s the origin of Leaving Eden?
Ha! Love it! Hi, I’m Eric Gynan, Cofounder of the Rock band Leaving Eden from New England USA.
Leaving Eden Lineup: Eve Lead Vocals, Alyssa Bailey White Keys and Vocals, Jake Gynan Drums, Eric Gynan Guitars and Vocals, Rich Chouinard Bass and Vocals
In the beginning, myself, Eve and Rick were in a different band. We disbanded. Shortly after that, myself and Eve decided to start Leaving Eden. . Rick would come to join later and the drumming position became available for Jake. Alyssa saw the band at a show and she asked to join as well. With a bunch of original songs already written, I had seen first hand through the previous band the awe that people had for Eve. It was after the first 100 people came up to me and told me how great she was, not me, but her. I felt like I needed to do something big for her.
2. What’s in a band’s name? It can be a cool story or sometimes just a random name picked. What about Leaving Eden?
Yes, so deciding on the name, we thought of this whole planet as the garden of Eden originally. As time went on, it grew with more and more deception, corruption, violence and greed. So we said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere else for a little bit”, because you know, we’re all sitting in a fishbowl here. Thus Leaving Eden.
3. We’ve lost quite a few music icons over the last few years. If you could bring back any artist to sit down and chat with, who would it be? I know it’s tough to name just one, so feel free to name two or three.
We were fortunate enough to share the stage with some of the biggest artists in the world. Here’s a list but, playing with Black Sabbath and Ronnie James Dio or Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul was so surreal because they’re gone now. I would ask them how’s it going up there? Playing any concerts? Got any songs that you want to put out there?
Leaving Eden has toured the USA, UK & Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; 10 Years, 10 Years After (Woodstock Reunion), Adelitas Way, Alice Cooper, Alice In Chains, Anthrax, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack), Avenged Sevenfold, Big Brother and The Holding Company (Woodstock Reunion), Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Blackstone Cherry, Bret Michaels, Buckcherry, Chevelle, Collective Soul, Country Joe (Woodstock Reunion), Damage Plan, (Featuring Dimebag & Vinnie Paul) Days Of The New, Disturbed, Dope, Dropkick Murphy’s, Drowning Pool, Five Finger Death Punch, Fuel, Gemini Syndrome, Gin Blossoms, Godsmack, Halestorm, HELLYEAH, Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Hinder, Hookers & Blow (featuring members of Guns ‘N’ Roses, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P.), In This Moment, Jefferson Starship (Woodstock Reunion), Killswitch Engage, Kittie, Korn, Lacuna Coil, LA Guns, Lamb Of God, Lita Ford, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marilyn Manson, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions) Motorhead, Mudvayne, Mushroomhead, Napalm Death, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Nonpoint, One Eyed Doll, Papa Roach, Pop Evil, Powerman 5000, Puddle Of Mudd, Queensryche, Ratt, Rob Zombie, Ronnie James Dio, Saliva, Saving Abel, Scott Stapp (the voice of Creed), Sebastian Bach, Seether, Sevendust, Shinedown, Slayer, Soil, Soulfly, Steven Tyler, Stone Sour, Taproot, Ted Nugent, Testament, The Butcher Babies, The Misfits, Theory Of A Deadman, Trapt, Tremonti (Creed/Alterbridge), Trixter, Uncle Kracker, Warrant, ZZ Top, Nickelback, Skillet & many more
4. If you could play any character in any movie or tv show, who would it be?
OK so you said anybody in any movie or show so could I pick “The Nitwit” in the movie we are making. Here’s the links. We are excited about our new album ‘Dream With Me’ because the entire album and lots of tunes from our previous albums will also be featured in a new fake reality comedy movie titled “The Nitwit.”
Watch the teaser trailer For THE NITWIT MOVIE
Website:
“Originally I had written The Nitwit movie script loosely based on real life events with the intention of having Leaving Eden’s music throughout the movie and procuring other pros to make the movie. Where Leaving Eden has been involved with having our music placed in different movies and TV series this simply made sense. While in Iowa after wrapping up on a shoot I sat down with Nitwit Movie Producer, Ray Van Blarcom and Actor, Matt Moody over a scotch and threw the script down on the table. They started reading it, thought it was hilarious so we decided let’s make the movie. For me being the director of several music videos it was a very simple transition to direct The Nitwit Movie. Finally, I was intrigued by Matt Moody’s experience not only in production but as an actor. Ironically Matt fit the leading role as The Nitwit perfectly. He then brought in Jordan Smith as his co-star and Nitwit Movie Producer, Fran Huges, the rest is history. We expect the movie to be released in 2020 by SGL Entertainment.”
5. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
I always liked the very old cartoons with lots of detail. The background even had motion like some old Popeye cartoons. It’s been my pleasure chatting with you here. Stay safe, peace.
Leaving Eden is about to release their 7th Album Titled: “Dream With Me” which is also the Title Track to be released world wide and distributed by Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal. Eric Gynan, Cofounder of the Rock band Leaving Eden from New England USA says “In this album we got the best of both worlds, where again like our last 2 Albums, we were able to take all the time necessary to record and produce “Dream With Me” in Leaving Eden’s Studio. But then, to have One of the best Rock Engineers in the world as far as I’m concerned, Grammy Award Winning Engineer Johnny K. (Disturbed, Staind, Finger Eleven, 3 Doors Down, Megadeath, Sevendust, Plain White T’s, POP Evil, Trapt, Drowning Pool, Alien Ant Farm, and many more) for Final Mix and Mastering is my dream scenario!” Eric goes on to say, “I love working With Johnny, he cracks me up! No, but really he’s a genuine connoisseur of great music with so much talent, it’s such a pleasure to call him my Friend. We’ve worked together on other albums but this one, to have the freedom to dig deep and experiment with my own unique recording techniques and then to have Johnny put his final touches on it was a real treat!”
Album Info:
Recorded at Leaving Edens Studio New England USA. Produced, Engineered, Recorded, Pre-mix, Album Art Director and all songs Written by Eric Gynan. *Song “Dream With Me” Co-written by Alyssa Bailey White. Final Mix/Master by Johnny K.
Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal
*House of the Rising Sun is an American folk song, thought to be written by Georgia Turner and Bert Martin.
Cover photo & Back booklet photo by Mark Weiss. Back cd photo by Dan Johnson
Leaving Eden Logos by Mario Lopez.
Album Artwork by Veronica Cavallaro
“La Magazine Art & Design”
Special thanks to: Jennifer Mugavero (Back up vocals), Gerg Anidem (Indie Scene Radio), Bryant Jenkins (Tour Manager), Debbie Jenkins, Dana Anderson (Assist with album art concept) and Cheri Anderson..
“Dream With Me Official Vi
Connect with Leaving Eden:
