An Interview with Future of Forestry
By Emily Rogers
Future of Forestry has been described as “a melodic ambient rock alternative band from Southern California, USA” and I can confirm that the group’s leader, Eric Owyoung, indeed fits all those genres. I was introduced to Future of Forestry through its album Young Man Follow. If I was feeling thoughtful, I turned on “You” or “Things that We Should Say.” If I needed something upbeat, I hit the album’s bookends— “Young Man Follow” or “Love Be Your Mantra.” If I needed hope, I jumped right to “Come Alive.” After a chance encounter with Future of Forestry on Spotify, I wanted to learn more about Eric and his work.
E.R.: “The Future of Forestry” is the name of a poem by the masterful C.S. Lewis. Please explain the reason why you took on the same title to represent your band and music.
E.O.: I’ve loved C.S. since I was a child… starting with the Narnia books, but then being introduced to books such as Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters as a young adult. Lewis is less known for his poetry, but he does have a hidden gem of poems collected in a book. His poem “The Future of Forestry” is a fascinating scenario in the future in which he paints the picture of what our world looks like after we have stripped it of all of our trees. I love how he even describes the challenge of trying to explain to the youth what a tree actually was. Although he may be literal and speaking to the heart of the environmentalists, I do believe he is speaking figuratively as well. He is sending out a warning to all of us, who, being overwhelmed and consumed with technology and progress, can be found leaving little room for the simple and natural things the earth has to offer. In my own life, it bids me to ask when was the last time I sat still to listen? How much time have I spent on YouTube versus just being present in the stillness of each moment?
E.R.: I was introduced to Future of Forestry for the first time through your album, Young Man Follow. While the bookends of this album, “Young Man Follow” and “Love Be Your Mantra” are probably my favorite tracks, do you have a song from this album (or another) that stands out as a “favorite” because of its sound, the writing process behind it, etc.?
E.O.: Firstly, I must admit that it’s hard to pick favorite songs from my own albums, because it’s like picking favorite children. That being said, I will point out that the song “You” is a song in which I felt proud to say something very meaningful in such a simple manner with so few words. It’s easier to write lyrics with fancy words. But when you can really just say it as directly as “I want you to know, you’re the first thought… I want you to know...” then it is very satisfying. Between the metaphors and the vibe that the song carries, I think the song really communicates a personal message to the listener.
E.R.: Your music reminds me of Jose Gonzalez’s from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtrack. If you haven’t heard or seen it, just know that is meant to be a compliment! Are there any artists who inspired you to become a musician or to better yourself as one now?
E.O.: I didn’t know that artist or song until you mentioned it. But I looked it up online and really like it! My influences started with old bands like U2 back in the day. These days there seems to be an onslaught of music coming from all directions. I’m just always taking it all in.
E.R.: Not only do you write thoughtful, impactful lyrics, but you also compose and record strictly instrumental albums as well, such as the Somniscape albums. In fact, you recently released Calm Vol. 4, which is just stunning. How would you describe these compilations? What makes them different in terms of the emotional, mental, and logistical creative process?
E.O.: The Somniscape series has been a new venture for me. I have found it to be some of the most enjoyable music to create because the entire premise of the music is to bring a mood of calm to the atmosphere. I’m not joking when I say this, but I sometimes have to fight falling asleep while I make that kind of music. It does its job on me! My original goal was to make enough music to listen while sleeping a whole night through (which would end up being approximately 8 hours of music). But since then it has simply changed to being music that brings calm to any place… sleep, work, going on a walk, etc.
E.R.: Where are you currently drawing creativity and inspiration from in your daily life, whether to influence your music or you personally?
E.O.: Since we’ve been in quarantine, I’ve recently debunked the idea that time equals productivity. I have recently been doing things like using my work time to do other things like woodworking. It cuts into my work hours doing music, but I think my productivity has gone up. Creating music isn’t about having enough time to construct something on an assembly line; it’s more about having the clarity of thought to creatively approach something at any stage in the process. I’m discovering ways to get to that place by NOT doing music.
E.R.: At the start of COVID and stay-at-home orders, you reached out to your followers on social media asking them what you can do as an artist to help them through this time of unrest, anxiety, uncertainty, and confusion. Could you elaborate on this request for our readers and let them know how they can share their ideas with you?
E.O.: We have gotten some great feedback from our fanbase asking for things such as online performances and tutorials or more blog sharing. In quarantine, I have just experienced the whole spectrum of feeling despair to feeling liberated. I’m happy and eager to help anyone that needs to hear a testimony of all the wins and losses during this season.
Eric’s work has carried me through many seasons—his instrumental tracks have kept me on task at my desk job and his Advent Christmas albums have accompanied the decorating of my Christmas tree. Others have benefitted from his chord charts and sheet music (available at his online store), while Instagram followers have had an opportunity to share thoughts, questions, and inspirational moments with Eric himself. And that’s what music is all about—sharing moments, making memories, and recognizing the melodies found in creation itself.
To visit Eric’s blog and support his work, visit https://www.futureofforestry.com/.
