Press | Iowa State Daily Eric Sardinas Interview: ''Music from the Heart''

"I felt a little estranged because nobody was doing what I was doing," he says. "I guess I'm an old soul."

Sardinas says his unique taste came from the sounds of Delta blues, including musicians like Charley Patton and Elmore James. As he grew up, Sardinas says his taste in music expanded to include influences from rock 'n' roll, such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

Even though Sardinas is influenced by music from a generation ago, he says he enjoys listening to modern-day music. Sardinas says the best bands are the ones who have something to say in their music.

"When a band or style becomes popular, there are always copies," he says. "Every band needs to have their own original sound."

Sardinas is quick to point out the difficulty of laying down a specific sound to his music. He says to label his music as blues is too broad, yet he does not want to get too specific with his sound as to create a potpourri of names.

"I've found out that I can find myself in my music," he says. "Infusing [blues and rock] together to find myself is a natural process in my music."

His own inspiration for his songs comes from deep within himself. Sardinas says he has to be true to himself and release his emotions into his music. When he allows the feelings to fuse naturally, he says the sound comes out with a rock-blues feel.

"Each record is a stepping stone, a photo of where I was at that point," he says. "Each album opens up more and becomes more expressive."

Although his albums are important in his musical process, Sardinas says live shows are a good indicator of sound.

Sardinas says he is looking forward to playing in Des Moines. He hopes to have a crazy and unexpected night at Blues on Grand.

"I hope I'm giving something from the heart -- honest, unexpected and fresh," Sardinas says.

The audiences at his shows get into his performance because he makes sure they have a fun time, he says.

"That's what the spirit of the show should be -- not isolated or uptight," he says.

Sardinas says his favorite performances come when he is able to play alongside some of his childhood idols.

"I've been fortunate to play with so many blues and rock legends," he says. "Every day is always a high point."

He says all he hopes in the future is for the possibility of making more music and continuing forward in his sound.

"As long as you're driven, there's no limit to where you can go," he says.

Reprinted with Permission

While music from a bygone era is fading from the minds of an older generation, one musician is hoping to rejuvenate the sounds of Delta blues and rock 'n' roll in his emotionally-charged music.

Blues-rock performer Eric Sardinas will be hitting the stage at Blues on Grand in Des Moines Thursday night.

Sardinas says he was born and raised on an eclectic mix of popular and oldies music.

"I adored music, and I was exposed to pretty much everything, from soul and gospel to rock," Sardinas says.

After moving from his birthplace in Florida to Seattle, Sardinas began playing guitar at the age of six.

His parents were supportive of his musical ambitions, giving Sardinas his first guitar. Sardinas says he first ran into trouble when he realized he was given a right-handed guitar. He's left-handed.

Another hurdle for Sardinas was finding peers who shared his growing interest in blues and rock.