Meet Eric Cunningham | Musician & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Cunningham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well it certainly has not been for the money. Jk. Joking aside, I think there is something inside creative people that makes it impossible for them to do anything else. I have gone through periods in my life where I was unable to write and play music and it felt like there was something missing inside. I have to do it, it just comes out…like a body function haha. There is a feeling of accomplishment and an addiction that comes from writing a good song that is hard to describe. I am also competitive with myself and try to top anything I have previously written, push myself to be better. Not pump out the same song over and over. Even reconsider lyrics or a melody that I like, rewriting them, trying to make them better. I am not a very expressive person in general and music has been a way in my life to express myself. Even listening to music is more than just pleasure for me its like an extension of my feelings in a way. Writing has never been easy for me and only late in life have I had any real success in creating my own music and actually think, “wow this is pretty good!”. Mostly I think the success I have had so far has been due to the people around me, particularly the dudes from the band Baja Caravan, Ben and Joe. Ben (bass) and Joe (congas) are incredible musicians and the fact that they like what I write is a huge confidence booster. We started this project, Baja Caravan, as a way for us to express ourselves and we want people to have fun listening to our music. We want to create a vibe, a feeling like you are on the beach with a beverage of choice just relaxing and enjoying yourself. We certainly enjoy ourselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I grew up in a musical family, so music feels pretty natural and personal to me. I think I was initially attracted to the guitar by listening to James Taylor and Paul Simon, but growing up in San Diego, there is a lot of Latin style music and I have a love for that as well. After a long time writing and playing music I really just found my stride playing with my original band, Baja Caravan. We are a three piece group, guitar, bass and congas. We play mostly original music and fit into the island-surf-rock-reggae with a Latin feel genre, or at least that is how is has been described to us which is pretty accurate. We have been nominated two years in a row by the Tucson Weekly under Tucson’s best reggae category which has been humbling as there are a lot of fantastic bands here in town. I think we are doing something pretty unique for Arizona. What I have always enjoyed is the different musical styles from around the world and how they can be combined to create something new sometimes, like Paul Simon did with Graceland. We have talked about success as a band and for us, success would mean being able to make a living from our music in whatever form that might be. We try to make small realistic goals, with an ultimate goal in mind. We are still working on being better at the business side of things which is just as important as the music unfortunately and getting to where we want to be. I would just want the world to listen to what we have to offer. Relax, grab a drink and enjoy some fun times with friends and family, while listening to some good music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first thing I would do is see who is playing around town and where. If you get a chance to see Chalako the band, that is where I would go first or Sophia Rankin and the sound they put on a great show. I have a soft spot in my heart for MotoSonora brewery, the beer is great and its a fantastic place to hang out. It has an great vibe, the owners are doing a great job over there. I would try to take a day trip to Sabino Canyon, to me its one of the most beautiful places to hike or just walk in town. The weather here in Tucson is, for the most part, pretty good so I would hit up any place with a patio or live music. Noble Hops, Catalina Brewery, Button Brew house, Harbottle, the Gardens, Fini’s Landing. There are also some great museums around the University, especially the gem and mineral museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really have to thank my buddy Ben, who plays bass in Baja Caravan. He is a great friend, is honest to a fault and a fantastic musician. Ben forces me to be better and not get away with sloppy writing. As well as Conga Joe, who rounds us both out. I am actually a San Diego native, been in Arizona for a few years but the music scene down here in Tucson is just incredible. People are supportive in their own specific and special ways. Phil from Pelican Museum is a rock and an all-around just amazing person. He is always there to be a soundboard for me, and just makes me smile. Maree from Uncommon Crossroads has been a true friend and an inspirational songwriter for sure. Engel from Chalako the band is someone I really look up to here in town. Derren Raser, who was a musical mentor to me, and is one of the best musicians in the business as far as I am concerned. Cat Rankin, the best momager in town, working on signing her to represent us. Clint from Wrought Iron, Tortuga, Dick Frodel. Thank you to beer, more specifically all the breweries/vineyards in town. I know local geography based upon where breweries are located. I have to thank my daughters Camila and Emilia who are at the age where they think I am amazing, they don’t know any better. Enoc and Nano for babysitting those late nights. And thanks to our fans, or anyone who has heard our music and supported us in any way.

Website: www.bajacaravanband.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bajacaravanband/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bajacaravanband

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXSQKWAb8lpw7SzhUATDpqQ

Other: email: bajacaravanband@gmail.com

Image Credits
Jeff Sprytime