Energy ran high and enthusiasm was booming through the roof of the UPB office as 80 One Records signed their second artist, Eddie Cain Irvin.
Irvin, a junior religion major, has just been signed JMU’s label, 80 One Records, last Wednesday. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Irvin began his musical career at the young age of 5, gliding his fingers across the piano, which remains his primary instrument. He has since explored his musical talent on everything from the saxophone and guitar to vocals and bass, and he is currently strengthening his skills on the drums.
Part of what adds to Irvin’s talent is his ability to write his own songs. One of his first experiences with recording his own music started on a childhood favorite, Talk Boys. With age and technology advancements, Irvin began to use computer programs to “multi-track” his work.
Although music and writing songs is his passion, even someone as talented as Irvin faces challenges along the path to success. To overcome bumps in the roadand to find musical inspiration, he looks to the music of Tori Amos.
“Her ability to create emotion with sound is something that cannot be taught,” Irvin said, and that is part of what attracts him not only to her sounds, but what he aspires to achieve with his own music.
His debut album, entitled Life Die Life Dedicated, is a compilation of tracks that Irvin wrote himself. He is the first to admit that writing your own music is anything but easy, but he says that with this album, “the best stuff came easily and quickly.”
Irvin said that some of the “busywork” of creating an album can be difficult, such as promoting and mastering the tracks. He looks forward to the day that he can just sit back and make the music and not worry about other distractions.
UPB’s president, junior Randi Sponenberg, enjoyed working with Irvin.
“The first time I heard Eddie’s CD, I was extremely impressed,” Sponenberg said. “His music allows you to escape from the daily stress of life by pulling you into a moment of rocking out to incredible melodies and original lyrics.”
“It varies — each song is a different mood,” Irvin said of his favorite track on the album. One goal he had for the album was to produce music that explores all types of different emotions. “Sometimes I’m up and sometimes I’m down. I’m a human being, so I’ll create music that explains all these different feelings,” he said.
Irvin’s album will not be released until the fall, but he will be performing along with other musical acts at Roast Beach II, a local concert to benefit the charity MusiCares, Saturday on the Festival Center Lawn between 4 and 8 p.m.
Combined with his obvious musical talent and warm personality, the upcoming release of Irvin’s record is sure to be a huge hit among JMU students. Be sure and keep your eyes and ears open for 80 One Records’ newest artist Eddie Cain Irvin’s new album, Life Die Life Dedicated.