L.I. Spotlight:

Eren Cannata
Making His Own Way
By Faith Rackoff

It is okay to ride coattails, so long as you have the goods to back it up. Eren Cannata may be son of saxophonist Richie Cannata (The Beach Boys, Billy Joel), but that just opened the door. It is his talent as a musician, a performer, and most of all songwriter that will keep him in the spotlight for years to come. In fact, of all the roles Cannata takes on, songwriter is the on closest to his heart.

“I like to carry myself as a songwriter,” Cannata said. “Everything comes down to me, my acoustic guitar, and the lyrics I have to say. It’s all about the song.”Growing up on tour with national recording artists, this Long Island native was able to learn about the importance of songwriting.

“Everyone sings about love,” he said. “It is about how you can make love different.” It is important to Cannata that his songs present a feeling of familiarity. “I want people to have this sense like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been there,’” said the graduate of the prestigious NYU Clive Davis School Of Recorded Music. Cannata’s lyrics are so relatable that his audience experiences a level of intimacy that leaves them comfortably naked. That is probably why “Part Of Me,” from his solo disc, also appears on the 2003 DVD of Dawson’s Creek (episode 211). Whether performed as a band or stripped down to its bare bones within an acoustic set, each song reveals something that is often missing in today’s music: substance.

With the release of his first solo record, Blame It On The City, Cannata is able to utilize the resources available to him to best highlight his talent. He recorded the album at Cove City Sound Studios (co-owned by his father) in Glen Cove, where renowned artists such as Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, Ray Charles, and Jennifer Lopez have laid down tracks. He also was able to work with an experienced producer: his father. Eren Cannata admits: “I’m lucky. My dad produced my album. I knew he had my best interest at heart.”

Unlike most up and coming artists, Cannata did not have to worry about conforming to the desires of the record label. Blame It On The City is released on Brown Dog Records, an independent label started by Richie Cannata, Eren Cannata, and attorney Anthony Gallo. In addition to being an artist under Brown Dog Records, Eren Cannata also works as the label’s vice president and A&R/creative director as well as a writer and producer for other artists. A song he co-wrote with Lee Harrocks, “Shoebox,” is featured on Brie Larson’s debut project with Tommy Mattola’s Casablanca Records.

Right now, Eren Cannata is focused on promoting his album. Playing venues large and small with his band as well as solo, Cannata has been performing gigs all over New York and beyond. He has established a name for himself and is steadily building a loyal legion of fans.

With romantic wavy locks of hair, big brown eyes, and a pout that could melt any girl’s heart, Eren Cannata’s live performances are filled with emotion and energy. The adrenaline rush is contagious. Having the experience of being on stage with his father from an early age and several acting credits under his belt, Cannata understands how to lure in a crowd. He not only entertains the audience, he connects with them. This is an exciting time for Cannata.

“I am looking forward to it all,” he said. “I have faith in this project. I cannot wait for people to hear my music who have never heard it before. I just want people to enjoy it.”On Wednesday, May 16, people will have an opportunity to catch a free performance as well as autograph signing session by Eren Cannata at Looney Tunes in West Babylon. With buzz already generating within the music industry about Cannata, it’s best to catch him now before he starts filling arenas.

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