Tour master Eric Hutchinson pays a visit to Columbia

Sounds Like This topped the unsigned charts of iTunes.

By Kelly Gehringer

Published Sept. 22, 2009

In 2007, when pop musician Eric Hutchinson self-released his debut album, Sounds Like This, he did not know it would become the highest-ranked album by an unsigned artist in iTunes history.

The songwriter, singer, pianist and guitarist became a sensation nearly overnight.

Part of this might be Hutchinson's insatiable lust for touring. He has been on tour for seven years and is five states away from playing a concert in all 50 states, a goal he's excited to achieve.

"It's been great to see people really responding to the music," he said about his travels.

A passionate advocate for live music, Hutchinson spent the majority of his summer tour opening for Kelly Clarkson. On one day at a fair in Minnesota, Clarkson fell ill two hours before show time and Hutchinson picked up her set.

Songwriting is nothing new for 29-year-old Hutchinson. While studying film at Emerson College in Boston, he started playing music more seriously than he had before. He said he realized his musical career was about "touring and not taking no for an answer."

Hutchinson soon started his own record label called Let's Break Records and then got picked up by Warner Bros. Records.

"I really got the best of both worlds because I was able to work independently but have the recognition of a major label," he said.

Sounds Like This is Hutchinson's first release on a major label. A lot of the songs on this album are tracks specific to Hutchinson's experiences as a lyricist, but general enough so people can create their own meanings.

Songs such as "Food Chain" and "Rock & Roll" will leave listeners unable to stop their toe tapping and head bopping, whereas songs such as "Back to Where I Was" and "All Over Now" are more reflective tracks.

Hutchinson has already collaborated with artists, such as Joe Purdy and Paul Kolderie, the producer of Radiohead, but a significant amount of his career has been solo. Band mates have come along on the tour with Hutchinson, adding to the on-stage dynamic.

"I'm always learning how to get better and better and looking for ways to improve as an artist," he said.

Hutchinson has been writing new songs but plans to continue touring the remainder of the year. When asked about future plans, Hutchinson said he's going to continue what he's doing and play it by ear, while having a good time performing for audiences around the country.

This time, Hutchinson is on the road in a van rather than a bus to keep ticket prices low for fans. It is clear this artist truly cares about his fan base.

Right before Hutchinson plays in Columbia, he will be in Kansas City as part of a tour sponsored by Perez Hilton, who handpicked the artists himself. Hutchinson has been a friend of Hilton's for a couple years, ever since Perez put his music on his Web site, a medley Hutchinson created combining The Temptations' "My Girl" and R. Kelly's "Ignition."

Because Hutchinson's scheduled show at Peace Park this June was rained out, he has been working with MSA/GPC College Music Committee to come back to Columbia.

The rain won't keep him away from the audience inside Jesse Auditorium this Thursday.