Interview with Eric Jafet

Eric Jafet is a 22 year old alternative rock artist from Orlando. He has just released his new single 'Lights Out', and I caught up with Eric to talk about the start of his musical journey, how 'Lights Out' explores the discontent and alienation of a generation raised online and what's next for him.

Hi Eric, how are you?

I’m well! The release of “Lights Out” has been going great, and I’m headed back to the studio! Very excited.

How would you describe your sound to the readers?

A lot of my music varies between genre. I find those lines to be outdated and restrictive and try to pay as little attention to them as possible. The music I make is a blend of my influences, maybe I’d call it rock for the 21st century.

Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?

That’s a long list, but at the top of it I would say Prince, Van Halen, David Bowie, Nirvana, and the Rolling Stones.

How did your musical journey start?

I have had a passion for music my entire life, and I started playing instruments when I was 3 or 4 years old. Lots of learning my favorites, but also started writing music right away. Once I got access to recording software, I pretty much never stopped and haven’t since.

Your latest song ‘Lights Out’ is out now, congratulations! How was the process of making the song for you? Was it a song that came together quickly for you, or did it take more time?

Some songs come together faster than others, but Lights Out particularly came in two parts. The music side of it came together fast, and then a couple days later the lyrics. I wrote recorded it entirely alone, starting with the drum machine, bass and synthesizer at home and then I went to the studio to do vocals and guitars.

You have said that ‘Lights Out’ “explores the discontent and alienation of a generation raised online, unable to create meaningful relationships”, could you explain more about this idea to us and what inspired you to write the song?

The world has changed at a breakneck pace every year since I can remember. Lights Out is specifically about how it’s changed the romantic/dating/love/sex world among my generation who doesn’t remember the world before the internet. I think it’s made us a bit more disconnected, despite the irony of its supposed intention to bring us closer.

Do you have a favourite lyric or line from the song?

I couldn’t possibly choose.

Is ‘Lights Out’ a part of a bigger project for you? Is there more music on the way soon?

It’s more than a project, it’s my entire life. Lots of new music coming very soon.

What’s next for you?

Releasing more singles and building to an EP, preparing for live shows.

And lastly, what music have you been listening to recently? Anything you can recommend to us?

I’ve been listening to the extended re-issue of Prince’s Sign O’ The Times album pretty much since it came out last year. They unearthed a lot of new songs from the vault that I’ve been listening to low-quality bootlegs of for years now. Was very excited to finally hear some of those songs in their full original quality. Particularly “In A Large Room With No Light”.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions for us, it’s really appreciated.

It was pleasure. Thank you.

Please make sure you go and give 'Lights Out' a listen and give Eric Jafet a follow on his social media pages to keep up with any new releases.

Listen to Lights Out on Spotify here.

Follow Eric Jafet on Spotify here.

Follow Eric Jafet on Instagram here.

All After Midnight links here.

Music submissions and enquires to aftermidnightblog1@gmail.com