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Florida State University film student, Patrick Gines, approached me early in 2010 about writing a commissioned song for his film thesis project, When The Waters Rise. Randomly, I was scheduled to play a concert at his home church in Tallahassee just a few days after his initial email. (“Random” never seems quite an accurate enough word for these sorts of occurrences.)
Patrick (director) and I met at the show where he handed me an early draft of his script. With another couple of Florida concerts that weekend, I read the script and, in a Sarasota hotel room, wrote “Don’t Hold Your Breath.” Returning to Florida a few months later, with only a brief window of time to shoot, Patrick and I (mostly Patrick) made a music video – my first ever – in which a homeless man named “David” unequivocally steals the show.
DHYB will be on my new album, hopefully releasing in 2011. Until then, I hope you enjoy.
[Song recorded & produced by Andrew Osenga]
Don’t Hold Your Breath by Eric Peters from Patrick Gines on Vimeo.
Eric Peters, affectionately called "Pappy" by those who love him, is the grand old curmudgeon of the Rabbit Room. But his small stature and often quiet presence belie a giant talent. He's a songwriter of the first order, and a catalogue of great records bears witness to it. His last album, Birds of Relocation, blew minds and found its way onto “year’s best” lists all over the country. When he's not painting, trolling bookstores, or dabbling in photography, he's touring the country in support of his latest record, Far Side of the Sea.
24 Comments
Jonathan Rogers
I like it, EP.
What’s the story on the earbuds? Were you listening to a podcast or something?
Pete Peterson
@peteMan, I love this song. Cannot wait for a new EP record.
Ane Mulligan
Absolutely beautiful. I’m sending the link to a music minister friend. 🙂
Janna
Gets better every time I hear it! And I love the powerful simplicity of the video.
S.D. Smith
I love it. It’s stuck in my head and has been forever. That’s the usual for mee-self and EP music for years and years.
Catchy and great!
The other song I am hoping is on the new recording is “Old Year,” which is even better, in my proud opinion.
This guy is tops. Top of the pops. <—careful use of “O”s.
This guy, meaning Eric “Earbuds” Peters.
Peter Paulson
This confirms what I’ve feared for a while now. Eric Peters just sings with the radio. I thought more of you Eric.
*I hope you’re picking up my sarcasm, I’m laying it on pretty thick.
S.D. Smith
Update: Still can’t get it out of my head. The man.
Er-ic Pe-ters! clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
Etc.
Canaan Bound
@Pete
Surely we can expect more than an EP EP. Hopefully, there’s enough for an EP LP, no?
Tony from Pandora
I agree Canaan B…T from P needs an EP LP ASAP
AndrewCos
Great tune, Eric! The video makes it even better. Especially that shot of the duck taking off (2:30-2:35). Nice!
whipple
Eric, from the days of Ridgely until now, you are the duke of simple choruses that lay bare the unswept corners of me. Well done, sir.
Some unknown waterfowl barreled across the pond surface behind you. How fitting, you crafty ornithologist, you.
Abbye West-Pates
watched the music video then the short film; favorite lines….
It’s been a long time since I kept my word, a long time since the flooded earth… thanks for this.
Eric Peters
@ericpetersI was listening to the RR podcast, of course. That, or I was listening to the Proprietor narrate “Flabbergasted.”
Eric Peters
@ericpetersP.S. Thank you for the kind words, folks. Hoping to start the record (an LP, I hope) here soon.
Aaron
Very nice.
“David” is awesome. Very important to breathe.
Keith S
Good, good stuff.
Looking forward to more. Soon, please.
Tom Murphy
Eric, made me think of a song on a Celtic Eventide album that you might like to cover for this album. Lyrics below, sending a copy your way via email:
I Saw A Stranger Today – Celtic Eventide
I saw a stranger today.
Who is was I can not say,
A poor man wandering my way.
I poured food for Him, in the eating place,
And drink, in the drinking place,
And music from my violin, in the listening place.
And in the name of the Holy Trinity,
He blessed my self and my family
And the lark with her song seemed to say:
“Often,
Often,
Often,
Goes Christ in a stranger’s guise.”
I saw a young girl today,
And why she wept I could not say,
In her slender arms, lay in infant child.
She, herself, a forgotten child,
She clutched me as I wiped her eyes,
And the young girl smiled.
And in the name of the Holy Trinity,
She blessed my self and my family.
And the lark with her song seemed to say:
“Often,
Often,
Often,
Goes Christ in a stranger’s guise.”
“Often,
Often,
Often,
Goes Christ in a stranger’s guise.”
I saw a Stranger today!
At first glance, it looks like a cheesy compliation, but, trust me, it is will be well worth the $8…Diamond in the rough!
http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Eventide/dp/B0012BZ34O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302699162&sr=8-1
JWitmer
This song was my introduction to Eric’s music and hooked me solidly. =) I too love the duck (goose) taking off just as the bridge takes off.
BTW, Eric is going to be playing live in Grove City, PA, which is in far-western Pennsylvania, where I-79 and I-80 intersect. If you’re in PA or OH, Dan Kulp and I would love to see a… gaggle? … herd?… warren?… of Rabbit Room-ers here.
Michael Ramsay
Maybe “seredipitous” instead of “random”?
Mike P
Sam- same for me. This song is infectious. I have the tune bouncing around for a week plus, at least until you mentioned “Old Year”. Now that one is on repeat play in my brain.
Matt Conner
@mattconnerEric, this song is fantastic! Seriously, you’re really onto something here. I just hope this next album becomes a breakout on so many levels. What a fantastic composition with a killer melody and love that line about when we’re learning about how to be alive. Great work man!
S. D. Smith
@sdsmithThe family enjoyed this again this morning. Greatness! EP Rulz.
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