Eric Raven is, in my humble opinion, one of New Jersey’s hidden gems. We connected on one of Academy Order’s first tours, and have played and collaborated quite a bit since.
It is rare I find myself so immediately on board with a new artist, but Eric is a force to be reckoned with. Somehow combining the sass of early 2000s oddities a la MSI and The Locust with the self indulgent burn of Nine Inch Nails and early Manson, the act is impossible to ignore. Full band, track, somewhere in between; you’d be a fool to miss the train, wherever it’s going.
I sat down with Eric to talk about his new video/single, “American Spirit," NJHC, and life in general.
How long have you been active as Eric Raven and how did that come together?
The Raven side project started in 2021 when I picked up a used Korg synthesizer. While some people were learning how to sew and craft I thought it’d be fun to learn how to sound like Flock of Seagulls. 10 terrible songs later, I wrote my first single, “Ascension (The Gate).” I’m heavily influenced by Last Podcast on the Left, so after listening to the stories on Heaven's Gate, Jonestown, and Children of God cults, I got inspired. So I wrote a song, directed, then filmed a music video with my good friend, Kris Khunachak.
After releasing the track in 2022, I started playing a lot of deathcore and mix genre shows in New Brunswick. Then in 2023, I released The Shape of Pain and became heavily involved with the underground hiphop/ rap community. I found my place as a solo artist, played monthly at the Meat Locker in Montclair at shows hosted by Kurt Donovan.
By 2024, I assembled a live band and started touring this project. Last year I worked heavily with Riconnaissance, Torppsbride, YUNGMISFIT, Funeral Doors as well as getting back into playing hardcore and metal shows.
Where are you based? What do you find noteworthy of being a band from there?
I was born and raised in Middlesex County, New Jersey. At 20, I dropped out of college, was homeless, got sober, then moved to an apartment in New Brunswick. The stomping grounds of Hub City Hardcore. To me the scene at E-Bloc and seeing bands like Roseblood, Blind Justice, Krust, and Old Wounds, brought me to a community of people that liked heavy music.
Being from this area, I feel the weight of so many great artists before and beside me. Fast forward 6 years and Cinco De Mayo has been putting on great shows recently and the basement scene never dies. When I was 16 I’d host shows in my parents basement so there was always a scene and connection between all the towns through music. New Jersey always has new bands and artists reinventing genres or perfecting something familiar. If you are yourself you will find your people and make lifelong friends.
What are your musical influences?
My influences stem from so many different genres. I grew up on punk, new wave, and mainstream pop. Sometimes I’d steal my brother’s R&B and rap CDs. In middle school I discovered bands like AFI, Alkaline Trio, and Motionless in White. “Scene kid” or mall goth, the type of stuff you got made fun of.
I was the weird seventh grader with creepers and Cure t-shirts, absolutely obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe and obscure movies. In high school. I was on the search to find the heaviest music possible. I went from thrash to hardcore to black metal to metalcore and deathcore, etc.
When it comes to writing my modern influences, it would have to be Poppy, Sextile, Ghostemane, Scxrlxrd, BONES. On the heavier side, Foreign Hands, Poison the Well, and Vein.fm. I love the old stuff too like Depeche Mode, The Doors, HIM, Billy Idol, David Bowie, Rob Zombie. I’m like a sponge and I find inspiration everywhere. Whether it be one song or an entire discography. Throw some Kesha or Gaga on and my hips will swing harder then my spin kicks.
Tell us about the subject matter for the new track, “American Spirit."
I began working on this song when I returned to my smoking habit. I'd quit for a number of years but stress has a funny way of manifesting. A friend of mine offered an American Spirit and the rest is history. Usually when I write it starts with the synths or a guitar riff but this time it was the question “where’s your American Spirit?”
I’ve had an anger for the way marginalized communities have been treated in this country. More specifically I have an anger towards the mistreatment of my queer and poc communities. All of my grandparents were immigrants, my dad is an immigrant from Peru and Sicily. My mom experienced racism and sexism throughout her life and workforce.
I’ve had my dealings growing up as one of few Latinx kids in my school. I believe now more than ever is the time to speak about social and political injustice. So to answer my question, I’ve delivered it through the song and imposed that same question on the listener. So where is your American spirit when America has its targets pointed at you?
Are you working with a label for the new record?
Since the start I’ve operated independently using my moniker “DEATHNEST." However, I would like to shout RTF Records from New Jersey for being very supportive of my art and the community at large.
As far as new music, I’ve been collaborating with Gabe Kazaks of the band Conduit. Starting as a fill-in guitarist, he and I have been writing new music together. We plan to release an EP titled Deathnest 1 in the very near future. Collaborations and EPs are on the near horizon.
What are some bands from your area you’d recommend?
Defy You, Final Resting Pose, Fracture, Tracil, Buffout, Duel, the Martyr, God Called in Sick, Cratxs, Bullhead, Riconnaissance, Pillowinde, Getlost, In Blue, Dazeydoom, Eyes of Fear, Dethwish, Balistix, School Drugs, Heathens, Depressionista, Sewn Away. The list goes on.
The important thing is there are so many talented people grinding their craft, putting on great shows when the odds are stacked against them. Creating beautiful and meaningful moments bringing the community together. These are just some of the burgeoning talents that continue to fill my soul.
Any final thoughts?
Just dance. Pick up an instrument, sing your truth, don’t take shit. Life is way too short.
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Eric Raven on social media: Instagram
Tour dates:
March 18 Rabbit Hole - Brooklyn, NYC
March 19 Banditos - Richmond, VA
March 21 TBA - Wilmington, NC
March 22 The Sink - Philly, PA
April 4th - Cinco De Mayo Nj w/ Blu Anxiety and The Shape
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