Eric Matthews fell in love with scored pop music at an early age: early BeeGees, Beatles, Burt Bacharach. He picked up trumpet as his main instrument in elementary school, pursuing orchestral performance for several years before leaving conservatory and orchestras in 1989 for the purpose of composing for the first time. Having taught himself a multitude of instruments in addition to trumpet, Eric spent the next two years at home in a flurry of writing and recording songs for guitar and vocals, as well as music for strings.
Cardinal was born out of a working relationship with Australian popster Richard Davies, whom Eric met through mutual friends. Cardinal was his first major project, in which he acted as arranger, instrumentalist, singer, and writer.
It's Heavy In Here is Eric's first collection of songs. Ranging from the stately tide of the string orchestra in "Poisons Will Pass Me" to the guitar pop pageantry of "Fanfare," this record covers much territory, but delivers a singular message of quality, taste, and dignity. Eric wants you to enjoy this.
As a stellar composer, arranger, conductor, producer, singer, and player, Eric is a refreshing insomniac from the sleepy town of Gresham, Oregon.
Along with a host of talented session musicians, It's Heavy In Here features the underappreciated Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, The Grays), as well as Tony Lash (Heatmiser, Cardinal) and Steven Hanford (Cardinal). Song-by-song personnel listings available on request (and on the finished CD).
Beneath The Wheel by H. Hesse
The Hunger by Knut Hamsun
The Outsider by Camus
All of J.D. Salinger's novels
Though not a big reader now there was a time when books were a part of my daily life. These past ten years have exclusively been music. I think it has now been six years since i have read a book.
Music I Love
The film and television work of Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, Alexander
Courage, John Williams, Pete Rugolo, David Rose, Henry Mancini, and Leslie Bricussie.
Other Music
Debussy, Satie, Tomassi, Halsey Stevens, Aaron Copeland,
Gabrielli, David Sylvian, the Damned 79-81. Men at Work, the Brendon Perry
half of Dead Can Dance. The Left Banke, Richard Davies songs. Brian wilson in those
rare instances he was able to hold down the ugly beast that has for decades
now dominated his creative life. Burt Bacharach, Andy Partridge, Roland
Orzabal, Paul McCartney, Cardinal, Jason Falkner and the songs of my father and brother.
Television
M*A*S*H, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, Barney Miller, Crime Story,
Perry Mason, Are you being served...
