Guitar/ Lead Vocals- Erik Holmes
Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals- Patrick James
Featured Artists- Nicholas Holmes (Saxophone)
Influences
Death Cab For Cutie, City and Colour, The Get Up Kids, The Spill Canvas, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Dispatch, G. Love & Special Sauce, Patrick James, Eric Clapton
In Fall of 2006 I started playing guitar with my start of lessons in early October. I began going to lessons however, only attended them for two full months. I was paying my teacher to "bring in a cd and teach me any song." I realized that I could do what my teacher was doing and it wouldn't cost me any money. So I started teaching myself chords and progressions by listening to the songs I loved. I would listen and try to figure out chords by ear and tabs online.
I continued playing since I picked up the guitar in 2006. I'd play everyday as much as I could, setting aside time to practice and learn different skills. I would play easy covers that were simple four chord songs until I started to branch out on more difficult songs. Actually, I think the first song I could ever play was "Lyrical Lies" by Cute Is What We Aim For. And from there I would increase the difficulty of every song I tried to learn.
It wasn't long after I started that I wanted to write my own songs and guitar parts. I wrote simple songs that featured more vocals than guitar. The simple rhythms and simple chords alike made them utterly boring to me. I knew that I had to continue practicing before I ever created something that was worth listening to.
So I became "that kid." The one who sat in his room all night staying up trying to find melodies that would go together. My songs became increasingly more difficult and at the same time my voice was developing from "whiney little shit" status to well, perhaps still whiney, but i try not to. You can be the judge.
I would record songs on a tape recorder. Yeah, tape recorder. I had nothing else. So I never really had any means of sharing my hard work with anyone. Until little get togethers like bon fires and parties. I'd bring the guitar. And be "that kid" at all the parties who thought he was something. But I got a good response from my friends. Who i thank everyday for my music. Hell if nobody said to me, "Yo, Erik. You bringin your guitar to bellico's tonight" or others wanting me to learn their favorite songs, I'd have stopped. I loved playing whenever I could, and whenever there was an opportunity for an audience, even if it was one person, I loved every second of playing.
So its 2009 now. Almost 3 years of playing. I can say that I am truly proud of the music I write. And After moving to this new town in New York after a "series of unfortunate events" I have had all the time in the world to devote to my music career. I go to school, do some work, and come home to write and play for the remainder of the night. Then, wake up and do it all over again.
In February, 2009, Patrick James Guzzardi and Nicholas Holmes took the trip from CT to New York where we worked on my first cd. Its title "Unconditionally" reflects the love I have for my music as I hope it directly shows the effort in the music. We recorded all week and made a 9 track album available by mail. Email me at erik_holmes@live.com for info.
So for all those who want to listen, this page is open to everyone and anyone who can tolerate it. Feel free to leave any feedback, good or bad because without the support as well as constructive criticism from all my friends there would be no 327 Miles. It would be a complete mess...
This is for everyone who ever asked me to "keep playing, don't ever stop."
-Erik Holmes
yo man its sounding mad good. you got a great voice and even better guitar skills so keep it up and thanks for adding the band to your top, take it easy man
